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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7368298 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #61041 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/61041) diff --git a/old/61041-0.txt b/old/61041-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index bd02a7b..0000000 --- a/old/61041-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11525 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, Aleph, the Chaldean; or, the Messiah as Seen -from Alexandria, by E. F. (Enoch Fitch) Burr - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - - -Title: Aleph, the Chaldean; or, the Messiah as Seen from Alexandria - - -Author: E. F. (Enoch Fitch) Burr - - - -Release Date: December 29, 2019 [eBook #61041] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ALEPH, THE CHALDEAN; OR, THE -MESSIAH AS SEEN FROM ALEXANDRIA*** - - -E-text prepared by MFR and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team -(http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by -Internet Archive (https://archive.org) - - - -Note: Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive. See - https://archive.org/details/alephchaldeanor00burr - - - - - -ALEPH, THE CHALDEAN; - -Or, -The Messiah as Seen from Alexandria. - -by - -E. F. BURR, D.D., LL.D., - -Author of “Ecce Cœlum,” “Pater Mundi,” etc. - - “_So forth we gat us from our home;_ - _So we are here to-day:_ - _Now tell us where this King to find,_ - _Whose reign shall be alway._”—ANON. - - - - - - -New York: -Wilbur B. Ketcham, -2 Cooper Union. - -Copyright, 1891, -By Wilbur B. Ketcham. - - - - -PREFACE. - - -Two facts, at least, should be remembered by the readers of this book. - -1. It was not uncommon in the times of the Christ for Hebrew men, in -imitation of Joseph and Moses and Boaz, to marry outside of their own -people. - -2. It is a great mistake to suppose that women in the Roman Empire of the -First Century were secluded after the current oriental fashion. They had -about as much freedom on most lines of social intercourse as women have -among us. The New Testament shows this in regard to Palestine and such -contiguous countries as appear in the Acts of the Apostles. But it was -the same wherever the Roman authority and influence extended. - -“Tradition was in favor of restriction, but by a concurrence of -circumstances women had been liberated from the enslaving fetters of the -old legal forms, and enjoyed freedom of intercourse in society; they -walked and drove in the public thoroughfares with veils that did not -conceal their faces; they dined in the company of men; they studied -literature and philosophy; they took part in political movements; they -were allowed to defend their own law cases if they liked; and they helped -their husbands in the government of provinces and the writing of books.” - - LYME, CONN., U. S. A. - - - - -I. - -DOWN THE NILE. - - Φησὶ δὲ, τοις μὲν ευθὺ γινομένοις μιξαι χρυσὸν. - - —ARISTOTLE, _Polit._ ii. 3. - - _He says that some have gold in their composition from the - start._ - - 1. Who are they? - 2. A son of Misraim. - 3. The times of old. - 4. A seeming misfortune. - - - - -I. - -DOWN THE NILE. - - -From Coptus downward on the dreamy Nile—past innumerable canals with -their primitive water-wheels; past populous villages and lordly villas -embowered in sycamores and palms; past still more lordly ruins, silent -now for many a century; past caravans and pleasure-parties and bodies of -Roman soldiery, foot and horse, coming and going on the thoroughfares -that closely skirt the river on either hand; past water craft of all -sorts, from skin-buoyed rafts carrying sandstone from Chennu to the Delta -up to gay barges carrying travelers to Thebes and the dead Egypt of the -Pharaohs; past crocodiles and hippopotami and pelicans sporting in the -water, or basking along the muddy shore as so many logs or stones. - -_Who_ are moving downward on the dreamy Nile to Alexandria—in a large -merchant vessel, whose lateen sail swells gently to the south wind? -A large number of persons with whom we have no special concern. Two -persons with whom we have great concern, and whose appearance is striking -enough to draw much attention from their fellow-travelers, as they stand -together watching the ever-changing scene. - -Both wear the classic Greek dress, of plain material. The elder, a man -of some sixty years, is so Greek in feature that no dress is needed to -proclaim his nationality. The other, a young man of perhaps twenty years, -has a face of a different type. And what a face! Is it Egyptian? No. -Is it Roman? No. Is it Hebrew? No. As we take our privilege of drawing -very near, and of looking carefully at those features on all sides, and -even of lifting the abundant brown hair from the broad white forehead -that swells so loftily over the steady and somewhat austere gray eyes, -we would rather say that we are looking on the original type from which -all other racial faces have varied, so readily does it express the -better elements of all. Yes, the young man must be from Britain or the -Caucasus—and yet he certainly is not from Britain; for that is still a -land of savages, and this youth has an air of culture and refinement, -which the plainness of his garb cannot conceal. Is it mere fancy? Have I -really a sixth sense? There is something about the young man that seems -to breathe of lofty plateaus, and mountain summits, and torrents that -dash and roar on their way from the clouds to the sea. What does this -mountaineer here among the lowlands of the Nile? - -He is evidently looking at the country for the first time. Everything -seems to interest him much. His companion, as plainly, is by no means -an entire stranger to the scene, and yet shows the degree of interest -natural to one who is revisiting a country after long absence. The Greek -language flows easily between the two; as the elder from time to time -points this way and that, and seems to be recalling and introducing old -acquaintances, as the vessel slowly glides by object after object. - -“It is now more than thirty years,” said the Greek, whom we will call -Cimon, “since I left Egypt; but I notice very few changes—here and there -a new quay or villa, or an old palace decorated with new gardens and -trees. I once knew who lived in some of the finer dwellings; for example, -yonder low castellated building that covers so much ground on the eastern -bank. It is very ancient, and the gradual rise of the land from the -annual deposits by the river, long since converted the lower story into -a dungeon. The Roman proprætor lived here a part of the year. It once -belonged to Cleopatra; was given by her to a favorite noble and relative, -from whom the Romans took it, as being heirs to all the Pharaohs.” - -The vessel, from some cause, now approached the palace they were -observing, and the two men walked to the right side of the boat for -a closer view. While standing here and noticing various points of a -structure that was now seen to be a fortress as well as a palace, they -became aware of a man standing by their side. - -“You seem interested in this place,” he said in a grave but courteous -tone; “can I give you any information about it? I happen to be -particularly well acquainted in this neighborhood.” - -They had turned to see a man of majestic stature and mien, far advanced -in life, but still erect as a palm and keen-eyed—as thoroughly Egyptian -in his look and dress as Rameses the Great. - -“I see that you are strangers, and _not_ Romans,” he added -apologetically, “and old age likes to speak of the past when it can do -so safely.” And he looked around as if to assure himself that they were -alone. - -Cimon politely thanked the Egyptian, and said that he had just been -telling his young friend Aleph that the structure before them was once a -royal residence. - -“That is so,” said the old man; “not only a residence of the Ptolemies, -but also of our native kings. You see that the material is stone from -Syene, and that the style of building is old Egyptian. It passed to the -Ptolemies with the crown of the Pharaohs, but was restored to a direct -descendant of the old owners as an act of justice by Cleopatra. For a -generation it continued in his family; but at last the Roman governor -took a liking to the place and took it. The Romans are apt to take what -they like.” - -“Not a very uncommon thing for conquerors anywhere to do,” said Cimon. -“Perhaps the site of this very palace was taken without purchase or leave -by the Pharaoh who built it, from a weak subject or from another defeated -Pharaoh.” - -“I think not,” decidedly said the Egyptian. “I could show you papyri and -parchments in the Serapeum proving that the property has been in the -possession of the same priestly family to which it now belongs almost -as long as we have been historically a people; and that, you know, is a -great while, and nearly connects us with the time when vacant Misraim was -divided among our fathers.” - -“Certainly,” said the young man whom we have heard his companion call -Aleph, “no people between this and the Pillars of Hercules holds its land -by so ancient and original a tenure as does the people of Misraim. The -Egyptian is older than the Roman, older than the Greek; indeed, was wise -and powerful ages before Rome or Greece was born. And, if I mistake not, -there is no tradition, nor other reason for thinking, that your fathers -dispossessed any other people. They must stand as original proprietors. -If immemorial possession, without hint of wrong, does not give a just -title, the world knows of no such title, whether the party be a nation or -an individual.” - -“That seems to me well said,” came slowly from the old man, as his eye -rested on the ingenuous face of the youth. “We came to the valley of the -Nile so early that we did not have to inhabit at the expense of any other -nation. We may be said to hold our country directly from the immortal -gods.” - -“You say we _came_,” said Cimon. “So, in your opinion, this was not the -original site of the Egyptians. From whence do you suppose them to have -come, and at how early a period? For my part, I have no doubt that you -were here, and were here as a great and accomplished people, long before -the Greeks, or even the Phenicians, had any political existence.” - -“Your question would be variously answered among us,” returned the -Egyptian. “Some would claim for our past hundreds of thousands, and even -millions, of years; would say that such a civilization as ours was at the -date of our oldest monuments could not have ripened from that savagery -and even brutality which they fancy to have been the primitive human -condition in anything short of such immense periods. But such is not my -view. I see that you are surprised at this!” - -“Not surprised that you reject the brute-origin of mankind,” returned the -Greek; “for that seems to be contrary to the feeling and faith of all -nations; but rather surprised that you do not share what I have supposed -to be the fashionable opinion among Egyptians as to their immense -antiquity, and what would naturally be to you a very pleasant opinion.” - -“No opinion is pleasant to me,” replied the old man, slowly shaking -his head, “for which I can see no reasonable foundation. Manetho, our -only extant historian, was an ancestor of mine. I have his original -manuscripts, entire, and am satisfied by the careful study of them and of -the palace registers of Thebes that his earlier dynasties were largely -cotemporaneous. No; from two thousand to three thousand years are enough -to account for our whole history, monuments and all, if we suppose the -nation to have been originally gifted and far advanced in civilization on -their coming into the land.” - -“May I ask from whence you suppose them to have come?” inquired Aleph. - -“That is a very broad question at its broadest; and the broadest is -what I see in the depths of your eyes. There has been but one tradition -among us on the subject, and it is like the traditions of all these -western peoples. They look toward the sun-rising. Our fathers entered -the land from the north, after journeying from the east. From what part -of the great east, do you say? My answer is that Seti the aged is the -son of the youth who now stands before me. His is the primitive stock. -Caucasian Chaldea is the cradle of the nations. And if you go on to ask -whence that cradle and primitive stock, I have to tell you what primitive -Egypt thought and said—that AMUN RE, the eternal, almighty, and all-wise -Spirit, made the stars and the world, and the first parents of us all. -That your Democritus and Epicurus,” added the Egyptian, looking archly -at Cimon, “should have taught differently! They should have visited us -three thousand years ago and taken lessons. They would have steered their -way more successfully among the snags and breakers of thought. For, the -stream of history is like the Nile—broad with us, and not without its -monsters as well as fertilities, but beginning small and beginning very -high among mysterious mountains. I speak with confidence; for I feel -that, owing to certain circumstances, I stand on higher ground than most -observers do, and can see farther across the centuries. The horizon is -distant, but I can see that there _is_ a horizon, and that it sweeps high -among the clouds.” - - * * * * * - -At this moment a Roman officer, who had been lying intoxicated behind -some boxes, but was now sufficiently recovered to be miserable and -quarrelsome, came somewhat unsteadily toward them. They were standing -with their backs toward him; and, noticing their plain garbs, he was, -perhaps, encouraged in his thought of mischief. Coming up to the -Egyptian, he struck him a smart blow on the back with the flat of his -sheathed sword which he carried in his hand. - -“Ha, old mummy, did you never see a Roman before?” as Seti turned -suddenly toward him. “Improve your opportunity. But you will have an -opportunity to _feel_ a Roman as well as to see him if you do not at once -find the skipper for me. Come, hurry off, old fellow!” and he raised his -sword as if for another blow. - -Aleph stepped between. “It is more fitting that I should do your errand, -if it must be done. You see that I am a young man,” said he, fixing a -steady eye on the haughty and inflamed face before him. - -“Who are you who dare to stand between a Roman and his will?” cried the -officer furiously, his hand still uplifted. - -“Let it suffice you that we are peaceable people, moving quietly about -on our own private affairs, as Roman law and custom entitle us to do. Do -you understand?” - -“I understand that if you do not stand away from between Rome and Egypt, -the Caucasus will suffer,” and the madman began to draw his sword. - -“Listen,” said Aleph with composure and emphasis. “You had better not. -You have a superior officer, and we are going to Alexandria. I call all -these people to witness (by this time many had gathered about) that this -quarrel is not of our seeking.” - -“Dare you threaten a Roman commander, you beardless cub! By the -immortals, you shall see what I dare,” shouted the man, as he plucked his -sword from the scabbard. - -“You _shall_ not,” said Aleph; and, snatching a large bundle from a -by-stander, he thrust it into the face of the Roman. It burst and -enveloped the man in a cloud of pelican feathers, which a Jew had been -collecting for the rag-market of Alexandria. Before his assailant could -recover himself and sight, Aleph had thrown his arms about him, secured -his sword, and, despite his struggles, laid him supine on the floor. -Then, without much difficulty, he managed to swathe and bind his arms to -his body with his long sword-sash. Looking about, his eye caught a small -coil of rope near him; this he drew to himself, and with it fastened the -man in a sitting posture to one of the posts that supported the awning. -All this was not done without much struggling and cursing on the part -of the Roman; but Aleph was perfectly silent till his prisoner was well -secured. Then, turning to the spectators, he said: - -“In behalf of the general safety, let this man remain as you see him -till we reach Alexandria. Wine has made him dangerous; and you notice -that what has been done, I only have done, and that reluctantly, to -prevent something worse.” - -A cheer flashed out from the faces huddled about, and almost shaped -itself on their parted lips, but was suddenly suppressed before anything -more than an indistinct murmur had escaped; for their eyes fell on the -watchful and infuriated face of the officer. They were prudent people, -those passengers. They admired courage; they were glad to see a Roman -put down; but they were not ready to sacrifice safety to sentiment. So, -instead of cheering, they compromised and fell to laughing at the Jew, -who, exclaiming, “O, my feathers, my poor feathers! Ah, father Abraham, -I am a ruined man this day; what will become of me!” crept about on his -hands and knees, trying to collect as much of his volatile property as -possible. - -“Do not worry yourself, my friend,” said Seti to him in a low voice; -“gather what you can, and add this coin to make the weight good. What has -been lost for my sake shall not be loss to you.” - -The Jew glanced at the coin that had been slipped into his hand, and, -catching the gleam of gold, hurried it dexterously to his pouch, at -the same time exclaiming, “May all the patriarchs ... oh, my beautiful -feathers for which I paid ... may Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob ... ah, what -will become of me!” - -And so he went on groping and exclaiming and stuffing handful after -handful of his recovered property into his bag amid the merriment of the -crowd. - -Making a sign to the two friends to follow, the Egyptian led the way to -another part of the vessel free from people, where was a single seat. On -this he seated himself. - -“I take the privilege of age,” said he, “and I am by no means sure but -that age gives me the only advantage I have over you. I suspect that the -eyes of Seti, though aged, have made a discovery.” - -The two friends glanced inquiringly at each other, but said nothing. -They were now moving along the canal that connected the Nile with Lake -Mareotis; and for some time they silently watched the agricultural -operations and the ever-increasing number of people and dwellings on -either bank. At length, emerging into the lake, they saw in the distance -the crowded shipping and towers of the city of Alexandria. - -Seti roused himself from the mood of intense thoughtfulness, into which -he had fallen, and asked: - -“Are you acquainted with Alexandria?” - -Cimon answered: “With the city, well; with the people of the city, not at -all. A generation has passed since I was here.” - -“Excuse one further question,” continued the Egyptian. “Do you stay long -in the city?” - -“That depends on circumstances,” replied Cimon; “but probably our affairs -will keep us here for some time.” - -“This young man has to-day made an enemy, and a powerful one; no less a -person than the dissipated son of Flaccus, the Governor of Egypt. But he -has also found a friend; and if at any time you should need such aid, in -whatever affairs you have in hand, as can be given by a native of the -country, and by one well acquainted with things and persons here and not -altogether without influence, ask at the Serapeum for the priest Seti, -and you will find that I have not forgotten to-day. Do you believe in -faces?” looking at Aleph. - -“In _some_ faces, as interpreted by circumstances, I do certainly,” -replied the young man. - -“And so do I, at least so far as you are concerned,” said the Egyptian; -“and it is largely because I do so that I now say what I do. There are -two men in Alexandria with whom you should have as little dealing as -possible. One is Flaccus, the Roman; the other is Malus, the Jew. The one -is violent, the other is crafty, and both are wicked and powerful. Avoid -them, if possible; but if it is not possible, then remember Seti, the -Egyptian. It is true—what the proverb says, that in this world the worst -men often occupy the best places.” - -As the vessel approached the quay, Seti continued: “I think that, -contrary to my expectation, I will ask one more question before we part. -Of what faith are you? All sorts are found here; also multitudes with no -faith at all. Where do you stand?” looking at Cimon. “Do you hold with -your fathers?” - -“With my father,” said the Greek; “but not with my fathers. I follow not -Zeus, but Jehovah; not the oracles of Delphi and Dodona, but those of the -Hebrew prophets. This young man the same.” - -“It is as I supposed,” said the old man, after a moment adding, as if to -himself, “and it is well. Zeus, Jupiter, Amun Re, and Jehovah, rightly -understood, are the same.” - -Giving them his hand, he stepped ashore, and disappeared in the crowd. -Runners from the various khans now came noisily aboard and fought for -customers, as they do now, and have done from time out of mind. To one -of these troublesome fellows Cimon delivered certain packages, and then, -with his young companion, followed them. In passing the spot where they -had left the Roman, they found that he had disappeared. Who had set him -free? No matter; he is gone. We hope they have seen the last of him. We -hope that returning soberness has made the man so ashamed of himself that -hereafter he will carefully keep out of view. But we have our fears. -The appeal from Philip drunk to Philip sober is not always a success. -Besides, Philip was not a Roman. - - - - -II. - -THE CARAVANSARY. - - Αλλη δ’ αλλων γλῶσσα μεμιγμένη. - - —HOMER, _Odyss._ xix. 175. - - _There was a great confusion of tongues._ - - 1. All sorts. - 2. What all believe. - 3. An exception. - 4. A wrong righted. - - - - -II. - -THE CARAVANSARY. - - -The khan to which our two friends were conducted was not far from the -landing. It was the chief point, in that part of the city, of arrival and -departure for commercial people; and, as evening was now near, the great -court within was bustling and picturesque with arrivals. Donkeys were -being led through it to stables in the rear, camels were being unloaded, -horsemen were dismounting; it was a very Babel of sounds, of costumes, -and of movements. - -“Is Nathan still the keeper of this khan?” inquired Cimon of their guide, -as they were being shown to their quarters. - -“He is,” said the man; “but he is now out of the city. Do you wish to see -his assistant? The master himself will not be at home for, perhaps, some -days.” - -Cimon answered in the negative. Following their guide and parcels into -a small sleeping-room, with an ante-room opening on the piazza which -surrounded the court, and directing that a simple meal should be sent -to them in the evening, they busied themselves for a while in arranging -matters for the night. Then they went out on the cooler piazza, and -seated themselves on a bench. - -“This adventure with the Roman seems unfortunate,” said Cimon -thoughtfully. “Unless matters have much changed since I was here, the -ill-will of any Roman official is not to be coveted; while that of the -Roman governor looks like quite a serious matter to people on such an -errand as ours.” - -“My interference, I suppose,” said Aleph, “would hardly be considered -prudent by most people; but I cannot but think that there is something -better than prudence. Shall we never allow our hearts to speak and act -without stopping to consider how our interests will be affected? Safety -gained in that way seems to me hardly worth the having.” - -“I think you are right,” said the other. “I am far from finding fault -with what you have done. Under like circumstances I would have you do -it again. Our first thought, no doubt, should be, What is highest and -worthiest? If that is not prudence, it is something vastly better. But it -_is_ prudence, on the whole; for it will never do for a man to despise -himself and offend Heaven. God governs. But we must wait for Him. A cloud -is not always a calamity. A rough wind may help one toward the harbor -sought. I know that these are your father’s views, and that he would be -unwilling to have his son sacrifice, even magnanimity to any appearance -of present advantage.” - -“Have you any idea who Seti is?” inquired the young man after a moment. - -“I have been trying,” answered the other, “to find in my memory something -about him. I know that when I was here, the Egyptians as well as the Jews -had an official head or _alabarch_ of their own nation, who was the organ -of communication between them and the Roman authorities. My impression -is that the Egyptian alabarch was of Pharaonic family and a priest of the -Serapeum. It may be that Seti is the man. I hope he is.” - -“I confess,” said Aleph, “that the man has quite taken possession of me. -It seems to me that I would be willing to venture almost anything on his -thorough uprightness and even grandeur of character, although I have -known him but such a short time. Did you notice what an aspect he turned -on the Roman just after the blow? Had not the fellow been besotted, the -surprised majesty of that look alone would have quelled him. But how is -it possible for such a man to be a worshipper of brutes, and even to act -as their priest?” - -“That is not a question easily answered,” replied the Greek. “But -probably Seti, like all superior Egyptian priests from time immemorial, -believes in a religion for the few and another religion for the many. -The doctrine of One God to be worshiped without sensible figures is for -the few elect who are prepared for it; the lower classes in general are -not prepared for it, but need to have the various divine attributes -shadowed out to them in sensible forms; and as no forms that man can make -are equal to even the familiar living creatures with their wonderful -mysteries of internal structure, these are offered to assist the feeble -thought of feeble men. Of course, this is all wrong; but it is a wrong -imbedded in the traditions and prejudices of ages, and so not easily -escaped from. Jehovah makes allowances for such people, whether their -names be Socrates and Plato or Zoroaster and Seti. Aristotle says that -some of our species have gold blended in their composition from the very -beginning. Seti seems to me one of these.” - -By this time the sun was below the west side of the khan, and the -open court was quite in the shade. This brought out into it and the -surrounding piazzas all the guests. It was a motley to see as well as -to hear. Almost every nation seemed represented, almost every style of -features and costume. There were Romans, Greeks, Phenicians, Egyptians, -Persians, Arabs, and even a sprinkling of natives from Gaul, Spain, and -other places. Such a variety of faces, dress, and, when one listened -attentively, of speech! A drag-net of all seas was Nathan’s khan. - -Aleph was all eyes and ears. The scene was full of novelty and interest -to him. At length, turning to his companion, he said: - -“This scene reminds me of what I have often heard you and my father say.” - -“And what is that?” asked Cimon. “Your father, at least, is wont to say -wise things beyond any man I ever knew.” - -“That, wide as is the variety of religious beliefs among men, they -believe alike in certain main respects. What differences among the faces -before us as to color, size, proportion of parts, expression; and yet -they are all faces, all human faces, all faces having the same general -plan of structure and location of the various organs.” - -“Yes,” added the elder; “_Homines diversi sed homines_, as said a -Roman before you. And see how various the costume; and yet it is all -clothing,—all clothing that recognizes the warm climate, the season of -the year, and to a certain extent the time of day and the convenience of -travelers.” - -“And you might add,” continued the young man, after a moment of close -listening, “that it is just so with the various articulate sounds that -come to us. While they differ in tone, in time, in syntax, in dialect, -they are all speech, all articulate speech, and, for the most part, -speech so much of the Greek pattern as to be intelligible to nearly all -of us.” - -“Yes,” said Cimon, “and I suppose that it is very much so with the -religious beliefs of these people. Though their creeds differ much among -themselves, they are alike in many most important particulars. They all -recognize a realm of spiritual beings superior to man, a Supreme Deity, -his concern in human affairs, messages from him, our responsibility to -him, a future state of rewards and punishments, and the main principles -of good morals. There may be some exceptions; for these, I understand, -are skeptical times in the Roman world. Almost everything is called in -question among the philosophers, even the fact that there is something -to be called in question; though it is found hard to get men to question -that the Romans are masters, that Tiberius reigns, and that Alexandria -is the greatest emporium of the world. But the vagaries of the schools -make but little impression on the people at large. They never have done -so. The more fundamental beliefs have kept a firm hold on all nations and -ages. A little pool will show the heavens as well as the ocean. This khan -is a little pool; and at the bottom of it, amid many wrinkles and clouds, -one can discover many of the larger stars of religious truth which have -shone on the world from the beginning.” - -“And how do you account for these universal beliefs?” asked Aleph. - -“It seems to me that they came from a Divine revelation to the first -fathers of the race, and that they were carried forth with them as they -gradually dispersed from their original seats, and that they took root so -deeply in the needs and reasons of men that no evil circumstances have -been able to remove them. It seems to me that as all the routes of trade -in our day naturally converge on Alexandria, so the natural highways of -thought and need all over the world converge on these fundamental truths.” - -“No doubt you also think it reasonable to believe that Deity, who -made the deposits with the race, has been personally active all along -to preserve it, as a broad ground for responsibility and further -enlightenment? In addition to a mighty undertow in human nature itself -toward these fundamental truths, there are winds and currents of external -circumstance setting in the same direction by the personal agency of the -Most High.” - -“Just so. But look at those men!” - -The two persons pointed at had been sitting not far away in the open -court, conversing in a low tone. By degrees their conversation had become -more animated and loud, until now they were earnestly gesturing and -talking so as to be distinctly understood at a distance. It seemed that -one of the disputants was a Phenician, and was endeavoring to settle -an account of long standing with an Alexandrian dealer in Tyrian dyes, -to whom these goods had from time to time been consigned. This dealer -claimed that several of the consignments had been short in both quantity -and quality; and so offered about half the regular price for the whole -lot. - -The other protested, called Baal and Ashtaroth to witness that his claim -was just; said that he had trusted for so long and for so much, that if -his accounts were not now allowed, he would be ruined. He had arrived -from Sidon some days before, expressly for the purpose of trying to get -a settlement, but had till now been unable to get even an interview with -the dealer, who was always too busy to see him, but had at last agreed to -have his agent meet him at the khan. This was the meeting. The Phenician -had at first quietly represented the hardships of his case with some hope -of softening the agent, but, growing desperate, he hotly rose from his -seat and exclaimed in a voice that was almost a wail: - -“I shall be undone,—quite undone! Have you no mercy?” - -“Not much,” said the other, “for some people.” - -“Thou flint! Before all the gods my claim is just. What shall I do? My -children will starve.” - -“Let them. The fewer such brats the better. Business is business. Take -what I offer or nothing. You have only yourself to blame; you shouldn’t -cheat so.” - -“_Cheat!_” exclaimed the Phenician in a transport of wrath that for the -moment drank up his tears like a hot blast from the desert. “_Cheat!_ you -Cretan rascal! You are a pretty fellow to advise against cheating; you -who, I verily believe, never did anything else; nor your fathers either, -for that matter. Who does not know what the honesty of a Cretan is worth?” - -By this time many had gathered around. Turning to them, the Phenician -besought their help to make his debtor do him justice. - -“Why not go to the judge?” said a by-stander. - -“Ah, my friend, I have been imprudent. I cannot _prove_ that my goods -were all right; for I was so careless that I took it for granted that I -was dealing with an honest man, and so neglected to have them examined -and registered at Sidon. Besides, if I had done this, how could I know -but that the packages had been tampered with on their way here? I could -not swear that they came into this man’s hands in as good condition as -they were when they left mine. But _he_ could swear to anything. Why -shouldn’t he? He told me a little while ago, while we were opening our -conference with some general talk, that he did not believe in any god or -hereafter; in short, that he had no religion of any sort. What is to keep -such a man from wronging his neighbor out of his dues when it can be done -safely?” - -“This man speaks truth,” said a substantial looking man hard by; “for, as -I was passing here some time ago, I overheard this atheist sneering at -all religion. Said I to myself, that man is a rogue. Is cheating too bad -a thing for such a fellow to do? Hassan thinks not.” - -On this another cried out: “Some of us know Hassan. His word is good. I -think as he does: that a man who has robbed himself of his conscience -would not hesitate to rob a Phenician of his goods.” - -“Exactly so,” said another just behind, as he gave his neighbor a push -toward the Cretan. “A man who does not believe in anything good believes -in everything bad.” - -“Oh, the fellow is an imitation philosopher, is he? The genuine is bad -enough, but an imitation is worse—mere husks. And husks are thrown away. -Let’s throw him away;” and the speaker drew his girdle a hit tighter. - -“And _I_ would not trust the rascal with a fig,” cried another, as he -shied a rather sorry specimen of the fruit at the Cretan. - -“Hustle him out—hustle him out,” cried several at once, throwing up their -hands. - -The crowd seemed on the point of doing it. The Cretan turned pale as he -saw them moving upon him, and began to retreat toward the gate. Seeing -this, some of the people ran and planted themselves in the way. Finding -himself intercepted, the man jumped on a bench and cried in a frightened -voice: - -“Friends, do not harm me. I am only an agent in this matter. I do what I -am bid. My principal is MALUS.” - -Malus, Malus—the word passed from mouth to mouth in a low tone. It -seemed magical. At once the outcry ceased. The billow of angry faces -and hands that was rushing toward the Cretan suddenly stood still, and -then slowly broke into many little whispering, murmuring whirlpools. The -way to the gate was no longer barred, and the Cretan made his way to it -precipitately, and disappeared. There was no danger of pursuit. - -The Phenician sat down again, and covered his face with his hands. Our -two friends talked together for a few moments in a low tone. Then Aleph -rose and went to the man; and, after exchanging a few words with him, -conducted him to Cimon. A long conversation followed. At last Cimon came -forward to the edge of the piazza, and beckoned for attention. He already -had it—had indeed been having it for some time; but seeing the gesture, -the people came nearer. - -“I do not express any opinion,” said the Greek, “as to the justice of -this man’s cause. We have not at present the means for judging that. But, -unless all the usual marks fail, this is a case of genuine distress; and -one that is not likely to be helped by a resort to the courts. The man -confesses that he has been imprudent. Besides, he is too poor to bear the -expense of a suit. And if he could, a suit would probably be in vain. -When the weak contend with the powerful, the weak must go to the wall. -So, rightly or wrongly, the poor man will lose his debt; his family will -suffer, and he will be in danger of losing all heart by losing in his old -age the labor of years. I propose that we help him. The sum lost, though -large to him, would not be large to us. A small contribution from each of -us will set him on his feet again. Who of you will join me in making it, -perhaps in righting a great wrong?” - -And, stepping forward, he laid a piece of gold on the bench where the -Phenician had sat. Aleph rose and put another by the side of it. Hassan -promptly came up and did the same. The example was followed by others, -until at last Aleph, coming forward and examining the amount contributed, -pronounced it quite sufficient to cover the loss. He handed the sum to -the Phenician. - -The man seemed for a moment almost bewildered as he received it. He then -fell on his knees and thanked his gods in a few trembling words; then -springing to his feet, he lifted up his voice and wept. At last he found -words and composure enough to say to the people: - -“My friends, you have saved me. I was ready to die; would gladly have -died a few moments ago; but now I can live, because my family can. I -bless you in the name of my little children. You may be sure that you -have not helped a rogue; the facts are as I have given them. Before the -gods I am an honest man, though I could not prove it before your judges. -Again I thank you; and,” turning to Cimon and Aleph, “especially these -two friends, who, though strangers to me, have this day stood between me -and ruin. If Sansciano ever forgets them, may....” - -Here he fairly broke down, and suddenly turning to one of the pillars -that supported the piazza, buried his face in his hand. - -The sudden night of Egypt was now upon them, and the torches began to -flame. After exchanging a few more words with the Phenician, the two -friends withdrew to their rooms; but not before they had caught glimpse -of a Roman uniform entering the little office near the gate of the court. -Did it give them any uneasiness? I hope not. Borrowing trouble is poor -business. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. And then, is there -not a shield broad as the heavens above the good? Trust it, ye strangers, -and go to sleep—if ye are indeed good. - -_Are_ they good men? For one, I am inclined to believe in them. Not -so much because of their good looks, as because they look good. Not -so much from what they have said and done during the few hours of our -acquaintance with them, as from a certain—well, let the word be written, -though deservedly somewhat unpopular of late—_intuition_. There is -something wonderfully prepossessing in the look of both these strangers. -It is hard to say what that something is that so bespeaks confidence, -but that it exists and speaks mightily there is no denying—at least -by me. I seem to look right through those frank and fearless yet kind -eyes into noble souls. It may be only a seeming. I shall not attempt to -justify myself to the philosophers. If they choose to remind me that -appearances are sometimes deceptive; that virtue is often very cleverly -imitated; in short, that old proverbs declare that “All is not gold that -glitters,” and that “Fair outsides often cover foul insides,” I have -nothing to say against it. I shall not argue the case with them. They -would have the best of it from the arguing stand-point. Intuitions cannot -be defended. So I will do nothing but express a modest opinion that such -well-appearing people will turn out as good as they look. Even this, no -doubt, will look sufficiently foolish to some; and should they conclude -to suspend judgment as to the character of Cimon and Aleph till they have -seen more of them in the progress of the narrative, I shall not complain. -They are acting sensibly—as the world goes. They certainly are on very -safe ground. “By their fruits ye shall know them” is a maxim whose -authority cannot be controverted. And if, in the application of this -maxim, they shall discover that the two strangers are no better than they -should be, or as bad as the worst, I can only hang my head in confusion, -and confess that the logic of experience is better than intuition—_my_ -intuition. - - - - -III. - -THE BANKER. - - Τὰ χρήματα νεῦρα τῶν πραγμάτον. - - PLUTARCH, _Cleom._ 27. - - _Money, the sinews of business._ - - 1. A financial emperor. - 2. His greatest treasure. - 3. Pharisees and Sadducees. - 4. Poor Miriam! - - - - -III. - -THE BANKER. - - -Whether Cimon and Aleph slept the sleep of the just we must leave to -be settled in the progress of the narrative. I am, I again confess, -prepossessed in their favor. At any rate, they slept so soundly that most -of the guests of the khan had gone off on their various affairs before -the two friends made their appearance. - -Perhaps, too, they were delayed by a cause that did not delay many of -their fellow-guests—morning worship. It seems that they acknowledged -Jehovah and a revelation from him; and it is to be presumed that such -people began their day in the reasonable and old-fashioned way. When have -devout believers not acted on the principle that prayer and provender -hinder no man’s journey? Besides, they breakfasted in their own room; -whereas most inmates of the khan patronized the cook shops that abounded -in the neighborhood. - -After the meal they went out and seated themselves on the bench they had -occupied the evening before. - -“The first thing to be done,” said Cimon, “is to find a suitable banker -and open an account with him for such Alexandrian funds as we may need. -As one of our objects requires that we be unknown, and especially that -our connection with your father should not reach the ears of Malus, we -cannot use our draft on him except in case of absolute necessity. We must -depend on the jewels. And they are too valuable to be trusted to any but -the best hands. If the Jewish family that held the alabarchate when I -was here last is still in business, this would be the one to apply to. -They were as noted for their integrity as for their immense wealth and -influence at Rome. I will go and ask our deputy-host whether they have -now any representative in Alexandria.” - -After a short absence the Greek returned with two canes in his hand, -and with the information that the old banking-house was flourishing -more than ever in the person of Alexander, the son of the old Alabarch; -that the son had succeeded to all his father’s honors and more than his -father’s wealth; and that, as the imperial banker, his influence at Rome -was supposed to be even greater than among his own people for whom he -had lately enriched the nine gates of the temple at Jerusalem with gold -plates of enormous value. It was generally understood in the city that -he had lately prevented certain oppressive measures against the Jews of -Antioch by threatening to withhold a loan. Some went so far as to tell -how many millions of sesterces each minute brought him, and even supposed -that he had discovered the art of turning base metals into gold. - -“I am sorry that we did not ask Seti about the present Alabarch,” said -Cimon; “but I have no doubt from what I know of the family that he is the -person to whom we should apply.” - -“I have also learned two other facts,” he continued. “One is that the -greatest galley in all the three harbors is Malus himself, and that the -Cretan of last night is one of several small tenders that wait on the -great ship and do its meaner work—which means that the oversight of the -harbors and of the import trade has mainly fallen into the hands of Malus -and his agents, and that the fear of him is on all small dealers, whom -he could easily crush, especially as he is on the best of terms with the -Roman authorities of the city. The other fact is that a Roman soldier was -at the khan-office last night to inquire whether two men (describing us) -were staying here. The deputy said that he managed not to enlighten the -man much—as it was always safe to assume that what a Roman wanted to know -ought not to be known.” - -“Would it not be well for us,” said the young man, “to make some changes -in our dress so as to embarrass such inquiries?... I am glad to see that -you have brought in your hand something to help us discourage unpleasant -recognitions,” he added with a smile and a glance at the canes. “They -have a tough and serviceable look.” - -“They certainly may be useful on occasion. But every gentleman in -Alexandria is in the habit of carrying a cane; for us to do the same -will help ward off notice as well as assault. Dogs and donkeys abound; -and some of them walk on two legs. A stout stick, with your skill at -fence and thrust, will be almost as good as a sword.... As to making some -changes in dress, I think your suggestion a good one. I also think that -it would be well for you, at least, to dress somewhat more richly to-day, -inasmuch as you must be the one to do our business with the banker. Till -one is known appearance goes far. Meanwhile I will brush up my knowledge -of the city and its people. We will meet here late in the day.” - -Cimon then produced his tablets and drew on them a rough plan of the -city—one central street, two hundred feet broad, running between the lake -and the sea from the gate of the Moon to the gate of the Sun, and called -Emporium Street: this crossed in the middle at right angles by another -street of similar breadth, but of much less length, called the street of -Canopus, ending on the west at the gate of the Necropolis, and on the -east at the gate of Canopus: these two main streets cut at right angles -by all the rest: here, in the south-east, the Jews’ quarter, occupying -two of the five divisions of the city: there, north of this quarter and -extending to the two harbors Eunostus and Kibotus, and including all the -frontage on these harbors called Bruchium, the Greek and Roman quarters. -These latter also include a narrow section of the city lying along the -whole length of Emporium Street on the west. Just west of this section -is Rachotis or the Egyptian quarter, in the southern part of which, on -the highest ground in the city, stands the Serapeum, the famous temple of -Jupiter Serapis. - -“Entering at the gate of the Moon,” continued Cimon, “you are to pass up -Emporium Street till you come to the street of Canopus: here turn to your -right, and, after a short walk, you will find by inquiry the place of the -great banker.” - -Surely, the way was so plain that no guide would be needed. So, after -making some changes in his dress, Aleph took his cane and set forth. - -By this time the whole Alexandrian world, the most industrious and -bustling world known in ancient times, was in full movement. Such tides -of men surging from sea to lake and from lake to sea—such tides of -donkeys and horses and camels going and coming—such a menagerie and -roar of sounds from the tramp of thousands, the shrill calls of traders -hawking their wares, the cries of the animals and their drivers, the -infinite clatter from the tools of artisans of every name pouring out -from the open shops far and near! Slowly on went the young man, with eyes -full of grave interest, along the splendid thoroughfare for two miles, -till he came to the ornate square, half a league in circumference, from -the centre of which one could, without changing his place, see the lake -on the south and the harbors with their dividing mole (Heptastadium) and -its Pharos on the north, as well as the sands of the desert at both ends -of the street of Canopus. Turning down this street to the east under one -of the magnificent colonnades that skirted it on either hand, he noticed -as he advanced not only that the leading places of business were held -by Jews (a fact that he had noticed on the other street), but that the -farther he went the more people he saw with Jewish features. - -Before he had gone very far, two young men with caps and black gowns, -something like the present English university dress, hurried by him; one -saying to the other as they passed: - -“The earlier at the Alabarch’s the better. First come, first served, you -know.” - -Aleph quickened his pace so as to keep near them. They soon came to -what seemed a fortress rather than a private dwelling or place of -business—solid stone, no windows on the first story, length on the street -several times that of an ordinary dwelling. Solidity and strength rather -than show was the impression given—no elaborate carvings, no pillars -of porphyry and cornelian, but plain, massive, mob-defying marble; in -short, an architectural _safe_. This structure was on a corner. Turning -the corner, the young men came by a few steps to a small door. Aleph -followed closely; and when the door opened to the others, he entered with -them and was ushered into a reception-room close by, where many others -were already waiting their turn to be called into the presence of the -financial magnate. - -Soon a servant presented on a silver salver tablets to the new-comers, -on which each should write his name. When the tablets came to Aleph he -noticed that the names of the two young men who had just written were _P. -Cornelius, Serapeum_, and _Q. Metellus, Museum_. What did _he_ write? -After a moment’s hesitation he wrote _Aleph, the Chaldean, khan near the -gate of the Moon_. - -There were several academic uniforms in the room (each with a conspicuous -gold badge in front) that seemed well acquainted with one another, and -not disposed to lose the time of waiting, possibly long, in silence. -Some talked together with great enthusiasm of a boat-race that had come -off the day before on the lake: others discussed the merits of various -recent performances in the palæstra, especially those of a certain noted -athlete and trainer who had just arrived from Rome: two agreed that there -was nothing worth living for but the noble art of fencing, and that the -greatest living master of the art was one Draco of Rhodes, of whom they -were taking lessons. A knot of dudes were comparing breast-pins and -finger-rings and experiences at the last fashionable party; or boasting -of the successful tricks they had played on the lecturers at the Museum, -and of how they managed to evade many of the lectures and delude their -parents and other friends at home with the idea that they were hard at -work digging into all the sciences and philosophies and living like -hermits on crusts and water. Some were ready to burst with merriment over -some practical jokes they had played on some citizen or new-comer at the -Museum; or at the way in which they had baffled the police in a midnight -brawl. - -The two students who came in with Aleph seemed better to deserve the -name. They had just come from a lecture by Philo, a brother of the -Alabarch; and found much to commend in his ingenious attempts to -Hellenize the Hebrew writers or to Hebraize the Greek—they were uncertain -which way to put it. They agreed that he was a very broad man and ready -to do justice to great men of other nationality than his own. They were -also hearing lectures on astronomy and Hipparchus in the observatory -rooms at the Serapeum, as well as on the physics and metaphysics of -Aristotle at the Museum. - -Aleph was not sorry to have this little insight into student life in -Alexandria; and, considering the number of persons in the room on his -arrival, he was expecting to have a still longer time to observe and -listen, when, to his surprise and apparently to that of others around, a -special servant came to conduct him to the banker. - -After passing through a large room occupied by many persons busy at -desks, and crossing a broad passage from which rose a flight of marble -steps, they came to a small room plainly furnished, in which were -seated two men. What was his surprise to recognize in one of them the -Egyptian Seti! The pleasure he felt sprang at once to his face, as he -advanced with a warm but modest greeting which the aged man cordially -reciprocated, and then presented him to the Alabarch as “the young man of -whom we have been speaking.” - -Alexander was a Jew to the slightest inspection. But his features though -national were royally so, and might have belonged to Solomon. Their -whole expression bespoke one accustomed to great thoughts and plans; -while yet a certain watchfulness, like distant pickets about a royal -encampment, looked out from far back in his frank and friendly eyes as -of one who knows that all sorts of characters will come to a banker, and -who knows how to protect himself on occasion. His manners were polished -and courtly—as might have been expected in one who dealt only with the -highest and most cultured classes, and was even a companion of princes. -In watching him one felt sure that the man was larger than his wealth, -however large that might be. He was still in the prime of life, and -without a thread of silver in his dark hair and beard. - -Alexander received the young man graciously, though with wide-open, -all-observing eyes. - -“I happened,” said the Egyptian to Aleph, “to be with my son when your -name was brought in; and, though you gave me no name yesterday, I fancied -that the Chaldean was the friend I have occasion to remember, and that -his first business would naturally be with a banker. I had just finished -explaining how we met when you came in.” - -“That I am as glad as surprised,” returned the young man, “to see you -here and in such a relation, you doubtless have already discovered. -Perhaps I am the more glad because my business with this gentleman is -such as may call for a word of friendly prepossession in my favor from -one who is known here. For the present I am compelled to remain unknown. -I can only appear as Aleph, the Chaldean, in company with his preceptor -and friend, Cimon the Athenian. So I have no papers to present on which -to ask an open account for him and myself, within certain limits, with a -banker. I have only certain jewels to place in his hands, of the value of -which he must judge”—and he drew from the bosom of his tunic a small box -which he opened and handed to Alexander. - -The banker was surprised. In all his wide experience he had never fallen -in with such brilliants—so large, so beautifully and variously hued, with -such soft and mystic fires playing about them and raying out from their -inmost depths. A pearl, a ruby, a sapphire, and a diamond—that was all; -but, as Alexander turned the box this way and that, there flashed out -upon him such lovely lights as he had never seen in the imperial treasury -at Rome, enriched as it was with the regalia of many nations. - -After carefully taking out each gem and examining it on all sides, and -then as carefully replacing it in its luxurious bed, Alexander at length -fetched a long breath and slowly said: - -“If any common stranger had brought me these remarkable jewels I should -have demanded to know his name and station—in short, that he is the -rightful owner of such a treasure. This would only be common prudence. -But I happen to have an uncommon father-in-law, who has a notion that he -has a gift of reading character in faces and bearing, and who thinks so -favorably of yours that he might quarrel with me if I should deal with -you on strictly business principles. I should be sorry to have him do -that. Besides, to tell the truth, I have something of his weakness for -a good face and figure, and whatever else that indescribable something -about you is that demands confidence. So I think I will venture”—and he -threw an arch look and smile at Seti. - -And he drew two sheets of papyrus toward himself. After writing for some -time, he read over to himself carefully what he had written, and then -handed the sheet to Aleph, saying, “Is this satisfactory?” - -The young man read a full description of the box and its contents; an -acknowledgment of the receipt of it as basis for credit to the extent of -200,000 aurei or staters, to be drawn upon at pleasure in large or small -sums; also a promise to restore the jewels on repayment of sums advanced -with a moderate interest. - -Aleph pronounced the paper entirely satisfactory, and far more favorable -than he had any reason to expect—adding, however, that he had no idea -of making any large drafts on the sum pledged; as one of the objects he -had in view in Alexandria would compel him to live in a very quiet and -inexpensive way, even if it were not a matter of choice. - -Alexander then proceeded to copy the document, and to affix his signature -and seal to it and to the copy. He retained one and gave the other to -Aleph, with a parcel of small slips of papyrus each already signed by -himself, but otherwise blank, saying: - -“Whenever you wish current money, fill in one of these with the sum -desired, in your own handwriting and with your name as given to-day, and -present it in the room through which you passed in coming here.... Now I -will put this treasure where it will be somewhat safer than it was when -walking the streets of Alexandria under the protection of a cane”—and -he rose and took the box and his copy of the paper he had just executed -to carry them into an adjoining room whose door, massive with iron, -proclaimed the very citadel of the financial stronghold. - -“Will you add this small parcel of valuable documents to the box?” said -Aleph, as he again produced from the bosom of his tunic an elaborately -tied and sealed parcel. - -Alexander had hardly resumed his seat, after a few moments’ absence, when -a light step was heard descending the stairs in the neighboring passage, -the door softly opened a little, then wider, and after a moment a young -lady advanced into the room. Seti and Aleph were so seated that they -could not well be seen from the door; and the maiden seeing none but -Alexander went hastily up to him, put her hand on his shoulder, kissed -his forehead, and said: - -“Father, word has just been brought me that my poor nurse Miriam, who -has come back to the city sick, is now dying, and wants to see me. May I -take a servant with me and go? In the absence of my mother and brothers, -I thought I had better come directly to you, as I may need to be gone for -some time, and you would be alarmed at my prolonged absence.” - -“Certainly I would have been. Take two servants: then you can send -one of them back for anything that may be needed. Let the woman have -every possible help and comfort. But, Rachel, you do not notice your -grandfather!”—nodding his head toward Seti, who had risen and was coming -toward her. - -Rachel turned suddenly, with a faint exclamation of surprise, and sprang -into the open arms of the Egyptian, exclaiming: - -“When did you come? I thought you were still in Upper Egypt. How glad -I am to see you, my dear grandfather—as glad as one can be whose -foster-mother lies dying!” - -“I will not keep you from her—only to answer your question by saying -that I reached the city safely last evening, thanks to a young friend of -mine. No particulars at present. Perhaps I will step in at Miriam’s on -my way home (I accidentally heard of her whereabouts this morning), and -see if the leech has done his best, and, if not, whether old Egypt can do -better.” - -“Do, grandfather,” she pleaded, “and come soon: for I verily believe -that the priest Seti knows more of the healing art than all the rest of -Alexandria—the daughters of my people not excepted.” - -As she glided toward the door her eye rested for a moment with a startled -look on Aleph. He had till now been unobserved. The tall form of Seti -had been interposed. She hesitated a moment, as if to make sure that the -young man was not some one whom she ought to recognize, and then hastened -away. - -Ah, those great, lovely eyes! It was but a second that their inquiring -look rested on him; but they at once made him forget every other feature. -He had not failed to notice her faultless figure, the queenly carriage -of her head, the easy grace and even majesty of her every movement; and -when she turned to greet Seti he had had full view of an exquisite face, -hesitating between girlhood and womanhood—a face wonderfully luminous -with a certain spiritual and lofty loveliness—but the moment her eyes -shot their fires into his, all previous impressions vanished, and he saw -nothing but _eyes, eyes_. In talking over the events of the day with -Cimon at the khan in the evening, he could not, for the life of him, -remember distinctly whether she was tall or short, dark or brown-haired, -light-complexioned or otherwise—he could only remember the glorious -_eyes_. But the young man was in Alexandria for a purpose, and a great -one: and what had he to do with a maiden’s haunting eyes? Just nothing at -all. So he turned his own eyes to the business in hand: and the effulgent -twin stars that had just risen above his horizon, contrary to the order -of Nature, silently sank back again and disappeared—almost. - -He rose to take leave. But Alexander said, _Wait a little_, and touched -a string. A servant appeared, to whom he gave some directions in a low -voice. When he had dismissed the man, he said that he had just sent to -notify those in waiting that no more business would be done to-day. He -added that he usually closed business earlier on the sixth day of the -week out of regard to the sacred seventh, and that so he had some leisure -for conversation; if the young man would resume his seat. - -“Speaking of our Sabbath,” continued he; “reminds me that I ought to -invite you to our place of worship for to-morrow: for I learn that you -are not a worshipper of Belus?” - -“Hardly,” said Aleph with a smile. - -“Nor a fire-worshipper?” - -“By no means.” - -“Nor a worshipper of the sun, moon and stars?” - -“I was not so taught,” emphatically. - -“But you were taught to worship the One God who made the heavens and the -earth, and who spake by Moses and our other prophets?” - -“Even so: our family religion for generations has been that of the -Hebrews—as being the most credible and satisfactory within our knowledge.” - -“Our common friend here could not tell me quite as much as this,” said -Alexander with a gratified look, “but I am glad to hear it, and hope to -learn at some future time how your family came into possession of our -faith. You observe our sacred day?” - -“I do, as does also my companion. Though a Greek by birth, he is a Hebrew -in religion. We will be pleased to accept your invitation for to-morrow. -Where shall we find your place of worship?” - -“We Jews are 300,000 strong. So there are several synagogues in the -city; but two of these are much larger than the rest, and stand for two -different schools of doctrine among us. The one with which I am connected -is the _Diapleuston_ and is on the street of Canopus, not far from -here. The other is on Emporium Street, and is not so large as ours, but -still has many substantial adherents, of whom Malus, our chief shipping -merchant, is the most prominent. Indeed, I think that he is now the chief -ruler of his synagogue.” - -“May I ask,” inquired Aleph, “what the doctrinal difference between the -two synagogues is?” - -“The chief difference,” answered Alexander, “relates to the degree of -authority to be allowed to our Sacred Books. We of the _Diapleuston_ say -that their authority is final on all matters of which they speak—that -their writers were so guided and guarded by Jehovah in composing them -that they were at first perfectly free from mistake of all sorts: while -the other school maintain that, while properly enough said to be of -divine origin, our Scriptures have always been more or less mistaken in -their teachings and need to be sifted by learned men.” - -“Do these men offer any criterion by which one may separate the reliable -from the unreliable?” - -“They do not _agree_ on any. One says that all important Scripture -statements are reliable; another tells us that all are reliable, save in -the domains of history and science; another excludes as unreliable all -but positively _religious_ statements.” - -“Of course they differ widely as to what _are_ important or strictly -religious matters.” - -“Certainly. Whatever statements are unsatisfactory to a man for any -reason he is apt to think of small consequence.” - -“And I should suppose the other test might be equally elusive. Is there -not room for considerable difference of opinion as to what deserve to be -called moral and religious statements?” - -“So it seems: and, as a matter of fact, Malus and his synagogue agree -only in discrediting those parts of the Scriptures that are in the -narrative form and a large part of the remainder. Especially are they -prepared to admit the possibility of mistake to almost any extent in -Moses and the earlier Scripture writers. Not a few deny that we have any -Moses. What passes under the ancient name is really the invention of -recent times.” - -“This is the result I should expect. One seems to be left at liberty to -take as much or little of the Scriptures as suits him: for if parts of -them are unreliable, and we have no sure way of determining where these -parts are, we will be likely to locate them where our prejudices and -inclinations say. The larger part of the Book may easily be considered -secular or unimportant by one who wishes as much.” - -“Very true,” said Alexander; “and see what the other synagogue have -actually come to! Some reject the doctrine of angels, some that of a -human soul distinct from the body, some that of personal responsibility, -and nearly all that of miracles and all other forms of supernaturalism -in history, as well as that of a future state of settled character and -destiny for men. And so on. Really, between them all, there is very -little of the sacred Book left. The sum of their doubts and denials would -cover almost the whole of it. What is left is the brief revelation that -Malus, the Sadducee, uses. His maxim is to discard what anybody doubts.” - -“This seems to me a sad state of things,” said Aleph, fetching a long -breath that was almost a sigh. “It would be almost unimaginable in the -house of my fathers. Practically these people are without a revelation. -The only revelation to each is that bundle of guesses and notions -which he calls his knowledge or judgments: and there are about as many -different revelations of this sort as there are men; and, to my thinking, -they are all about equally worthless. It is sad that circumcised people -should hold such uncircumcised notions.” - -“A sad state of things, indeed,” consented Alexander, “but we may console -ourselves with the fact that this sad sort of people are a minority and a -small one, and have been quite unknown among our people till quite recent -times. I trust they will soon become unknown again. When the Messiah, -whom we are daily looking for, comes and, accrediting himself by signs -and wonders, declares that not one jot or tittle of the law shall fail, -even Malus will have a revelation that is worth the having.” - -“May He come quickly!” said the young man devoutly. - -Alexander looked intently for a moment on the kindling and abstracted -face before him, and then as devoutly said _Amen_. - -During this conversation Seti maintained an unbroken silence—his arms -folded, his face impassive, but his eyes as watchful as eagles’. He -seemed to be hearing as well as seeing with those ancient eyes of his -that never once left the face of Aleph. - -They both rose at the same time—Seti saying that he would walk along with -the young man and point out the Diapleuston in passing. - -The Alabarch courteously escorted them through the now vacant rooms to -the door; saying to Aleph, as he parted, “Remember—at the third hour -to-morrow. Come half an hour earlier.” - -Turning into the street of Canopus, and going westward under the -colonnade, they soon came to a corner on which stood an imposing -structure of white marble. As Aleph glanced down the side street he saw -that the length of the structure was immense: as he passed to the front -he saw that its breadth was nearly as great. A central part raised on -a lofty pediment, surmounted by a gilded dome, and supported in front -and on either hand by immense monolith columns, was surrounded on all -visible sides at a little distance by low marble cloisters—save where a -broad flight of steps led up from the street to the great doors. From the -wide platform at the top the great columns rose in elaborately wrought -clusters, each supporting an ornate capital, architrave, frieze, and -cornice; while, behind, the whole front was alive with spirited sculpture -in relief of the Feast of Tabernacles. - -I must not forget to add that at one angle the low cloisters swelled into -a graceful and lofty tower that ended in a parapet. - -“From behind that parapet,” said Seti, pointing, “are sounded the seventy -silver trumpets that summon the Jews to their worship; for here is the -Diapleuston to which you have been invited.” - -They passed on to another crossing. - -“Let us turn down this street,” said the Egyptian. “It is less crowded -than the thoroughfare, and equally direct for both of us, as I learn that -you are staying for the present near where we landed yesterday. Besides, -I wish to stop for a few moments with the sick woman. I am afraid of -these Alexandrian leeches. Once in every five or ten years they get a new -fashion of treating diseases and call it science.” - -They turned south and soon came to a humble house, where Seti knocked. -The door was opened by a shiftless looking Greek who, on request, pointed -to a door within which the sick woman could be found. On entering, they -found her on a rude bed, supported almost in a sitting posture by the -daughter of Alexander, who sat behind her. She was a woman of middle age, -very emaciated, eyes closed, lips parted, chest laboriously heaving, -apparently unconscious. - -“Oh, grandfather, I feared you would not come,” exclaimed the maiden in -a subdued voice, “feared you would be too late,—I am afraid you _are_ -too late. The leech says that nothing more can be done”—and the tears -dropped fast from the lovely eyes. - -The rich dress worn at home had been exchanged for one exceedingly plain -and suited to her present sad and humble surroundings. But the change did -not detract from her superb loveliness. On the contrary, the exquisite -graces of feature and figure became all the more apparent in the absence -of the distractions of extrinsic ornament; and a new light born of a -heavenly pity and self-forgetfulness was shining in her face. - -Without replying to her words, Seti advanced to a casement and door, and -threw them widely open on a small open court. - -“But the leech, grandfather, said that the fresh air must be excluded.” - -“Did he bring this?” said the Egyptian, taking up from the bed a partly -unrolled manuscript. He read aloud: “_The Psalms of David translated by -the Seventy_.” - -“That is mine,” said Rachel. “I brought it with me, and have read from -it to Miriam while she could listen. It was her only comfort, besides -prayer.” - -“What have you learned about her case?” - -“You know that she left us two years ago to marry a man whom we could not -approve: and until yesterday we did not know what had become of her. Then -I had a message from her husband, who is a Greek, that she was sick at -this place. I went to her at once and found her very weak and low with -this fever; and gathered from her with great difficulty that she had led -a life of hardship and exposure since leaving us, had sometimes been in -the extreme of want, but was ashamed to make her situation known to us -after having rejected our counsel. So she had gradually been worn down by -want and disappointment until this fever seized on her and found an easy -victim”—and the fair head drooped with a sigh to the hot forehead that -rested against her shoulder. - -“Has she asked for nothing?” inquired Seti. - -“Not of late. When I first came she wanted water, and asked for it almost -constantly. But the leech said she must not have it. It would chill her -and finally make the fever worse. He would only allow her lips to be -moistened occasionally with a sponge.” - -“Her lips are trying to move now. Can you hear anything?” - -“Nothing.” - -Seti stooped and put his ear close to the lips of the dying woman. He -shook his head. - -“Old age,” said he, “has its disadvantages, and dull ears are one of -them. Perhaps my young friend here can help us”—and he beckoned to Aleph, -who had remained at some distance. - -The young man at once came forward, and, kneeling by the bed, laid his -ear close to the twitching lips. For a few moments he seemed not to -breathe at all. As Seti looked down on that noble head with its wealth of -youth and strength in broad contrast with the sharp, worn features of the -sick woman, he said to himself: “It is the head of Horus, the sun-god.” - -At length Aleph rose. “She says _water, water_—that and nothing else.” - - -“Give her water, then,” commanded Seti. - -“But the leech, grandfather!” interposed the maiden anxiously. - -“No matter what the leech says. I too am a leech. Let her drink freely.” - -Aleph took up the water-jar that was standing by the bed, poured into -a large cup that was near till it was almost full, and held it to the -lips of the woman—saying to Rachel as he did so: “It is the way of my -country.” The dry lips closed spasmodically over the rim of the cup, and -did not release it till not a drop was left. She opened her eyes. A faint -sigh of relief reached the younger ears. - -“Give her another cup,” said Seti. - -She drained that also: then whispered _Heaven_—so that they all heard, -and almost a smile hovered upon her wan features. Great drops stood on -her forehead, and she quietly sank into sleep. - -“Now lay her down softly,” said the Egyptian to the maiden, “and let her -sleep. She will do well. What has she eaten?” - -“Nothing since I have been here. The leech said that food would not -nourish her: it would only nourish the fever.” - -“Has she never asked for anything in particular?” - -“The woman who was here when I came tells me that before nurse became so -weak she asked for fried lampreys and onions. But the leech said that she -could not ask for a worse dish. It would kill her outright. And, what was -worse, it would kill him too; for it would ruin his practice to allow -such a thing. It was against all rules.” - -“Never you mind his rules. Tell the woman—but here she is; I will tell -her myself,” and he turned toward a peasant woman, who had just softly -entered and was standing embarrassed at the presence of strangers. -“When this sick person wakes let her drink all the water she wants. -Then ask her if she can think of anything she would like to eat, calling -over to her all the eatables you can think of, and whatever she chooses -get for her, even though it is fried lampreys or fried dragons. Do you -understand?” - -“Yes, my lord; but the leech ...” - -“Will see that these instructions of Seti are obeyed. If not, send word -at once to this lady.... Now, Rachel, you ought to go home at once. -Though you are not unaccustomed to such work as this, I can see that you -are tired and worn. If you were of the fainting sort I should hold out -my arms to catch you from falling—your cheeks are so white and your eyes -so——” - -She would have fallen had she not hastily staggered toward him and caught -his arm. - -“Yes, grandfather, I think I had better go home as soon as possible,” she -said in a low and trembling voice. “The closeness of the room till you -came, together with the anxiety and excitement, has been too much for me. -But the open air will set me right.” - -“Ought not the lady to have a sedan?” inquired Aleph. “I saw a stand at -the last corner as we came.” - -“Certainly,” said Seti: “and where are the two servants, Rachel, who came -with you?” - -“Are they not at the door? I left them there, to be within call.” - -“I did not notice them when we came. Did you?”—turning to Aleph. - -Aleph shook his head. “Allow me to go for a sedan,” said he, “and we will -see the lady safely home.” - -“Thank you—that will do.” - -Aleph hastened away. During his absence, which was short, Rachel -reclined; and on his return with a chair and two stout porters he found -her much revived and quite disposed to dismiss the vehicle as being -unnecessary. But this Seti would not permit. And she speedily found that -he was right; for, on trying to walk to the door, she found it necessary -to accept support from both men. But the open air of the street seemed to -recall her strength at once, and she entered the sedan without help. - -Seti walked before the vehicle to guide. Aleph walked behind—every now -and then quieting the motion of the bearers by a word, and once or twice -venturing to draw aside the curtain and inquire in a grave, sympathetic -way how the lady was enduring the jolting. The answer was satisfactory -and cordial: and when the house of Alexander was reached she professed to -feel as well and strong as ever, and proved it by darting up the steps -without aid. Turning, as the door opened, she threw down thanks and adieu -with the gesture of a goddess and disappeared. - -“There goes the Gem of Alexandria,” murmured Seti to himself. - -Aleph said nothing, but he thought that, whatever the gem, it was a -wonderfully fine casket that contained it. He was sure that he had -never seen a finer. And those _eyes_! As he turned away the twin stars -again ventured to show themselves above his horizon in all their dewy -splendors. But what had he to do with a maiden’s starry eyes? Just -nothing at all. So back they timidly sank to the horizon’s edge; but -refused to go farther. They must wait till they had burned a path through. - -That evening at the khan Cimon and Aleph compared experiences. Cimon had -revived his acquaintance with the city, but had not found any of his -old acquaintances. Thirty years and more had dismissed all of them to -new homes or to the Necropolis. No directory made it possible for him -to be sure but that, somewhere in the great city, some one whom he had -known as a young man was still living with whitening locks; but no doubt -nearly all of his generation were dead. That was the way of things in -Alexandria: as it is everywhere else. Cimon was sad that night. O Time, -thou mighty thief, when will Government apprehend thee and bring thee -to justice! Or, better still, when will it take thy scythe from thee, -and put thee into some Reformatory to learn giving instead of stealing, -addition instead of subtraction, flowing instead of ebbing, the art -of ever setting poor men forward from strength to strength instead of -backward from weakness to weakness! Well, that is what will be done some -day—for some. For whom? - - - - -IV. - -THE SYNAGOGUE. - - Καὶ ἀρίστους δὲ καὶ θεοφιλεστάτους. - - —XENOPHON, _Memorab._ iii. 9. - - _That the best men are most observant of Divine worship._ - - 1. Is it a recognition? - 2. Diapleuston the magnificent. - 3. Has the Messiah come? - 4. Procul este profani. - - - - -IV. - -THE SYNAGOGUE. - - -If the reader is curious to know how the two friends passed the long -Sabbath morning, before it was time to go to the synagogue, I can inform -him. They prayed apart, they prayed together; they produced a copy of the -Septuagint and read what the prophets had written about the Messiah. They -found many mysteries, and much material for conversation, until the dial -in the centre of the court told them that it was time to be moving. - -On their way up Emporium Street they kept to the right side for two -reasons—because the right was first reached, and because on that side the -current of people was in their own direction. And a strong current it -was. Men, women, and children, with Jewish faces and apparently dressed -in their best, in great numbers were leisurely moving northward. Aleph -was tall enough to look over the heads of most of the people before him -and noticed in the distance the living stream turning into a building. It -occurred to him that this building was probably the synagogue of Malus, -of which the Alabarch had spoken. He was confirmed in this idea by the -light behavior of most about him. The principle of reverence was neither -in their feet nor in their faces. And as to their tongues—these seemed -to have the freedom of all the days of the week. They were talking -shop, talking ships, talking fashions, talking gossip—talking everything -but politics and religion. These last topics they prudently left to the -Romans and “whom it might concern.” - -When they came to the synagogue they saw that it was large; though by no -means as large and imposing as the Diapleuston. They lingered a little -among the many standing on the street in order to get a better view. Just -then came up a group of persons more richly dressed than the rest, and -for whom the rest made way with special deference as they mounted the -steps. One of these, whose dress was particularly showy, turned when he -had reached the last platform, and looked down among the people as if -seeking some one. His eye rested on Aleph. Both Cimon and Aleph noticed -an involuntary start. It could hardly have been greater if the man had -received an unexpected blow. - -He was a man of middle stature, somewhat past middle life, and more -than middlingly obese. His face was a curiosity. It was as round as -a full moon, and as pocked: but the great peculiarity of it was its -characterless or wooden expression. It neither laughed nor cried, it -neither promised nor threatened, it was neither happy nor miserable, it -was neither saint nor sinner. Yet one hesitates a little over this last -statement. There was a certain thin, very thin, something about the face -that asked to be considered religious. But to the eyes of our friends -it seemed sanctimoniousness instead of sanctity, a gauze white veil -which, however well worn, is no part of the person and can be put off at -pleasure. Perhaps they were mistaken. Sudden judgments sometimes shoot -wide of the mark. And it was but a moment they had in which to study his -face before he disappeared within the synagogue. - -Cimon turned to a by-stander, and asked: “The ruler of the synagogue?” -The man bowed assent. - -“I wonder,” said Cimon, musingly, as they passed on, “whether Malus -recognized your father in you. You resemble him strongly—as he was, -thirty years ago.” - -As they came up to the Diapleuston there burst from the summit of the -side tower a chorus of trumpets—rich, soft, yet far-sounding. Looking up -they saw seventy men standing behind a circular balustrade and chanting -through silver trumpets toward all points of the compass. - -“How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts,” went sounding broadly -forth over the city. - -They were met just within the doors by Alexander himself—to whom Aleph -presented his “preceptor and friend” Cimon. The Alabarch received them -with great courtesy, and thanked the young man for the service rendered -to his daughter the day before; and when Aleph expressed the hope that -she had quite recovered from her indisposition, he said: - -“Quite so, she tells me; and so I have brought her with me to give thanks -for the good news this morning received that her nurse continues to mend.” - -And he led the way toward a distant canopy not far from the centre, -near which his daughter was sitting. She was simply dressed and closely -veiled; but Aleph had no difficulty in recognizing the exquisite shape -and bearing of the Gem of Alexandria. - -Alexander then said that he had asked them to come somewhat in advance of -the congregation, partly in order that they might have time to look about -them, and to get familiar with the building before the services should -begin. - -“Walk about freely,” he continued, “until the trumpets cease summoning; -then return and occupy the seats yonder (he pointed). They are reserved -for visitors in accord with us. Meanwhile I have to meet the elders.” - -He bowed himself away; and they began to look about them. But few people -had yet come in. It was the largest and finest synagogue in the world. -Just before them, abutting on the east side of the building, was a low -platform surrounded by a delicate silver railing and surmounted in part -by a canopy of cloth of gold. Under this was an ornate seat curiously -wrought in various precious woods. Near the front of the platform stood -an equally elaborate reading desk, with several rolls upon it. By the -side of the platform was a door by which Alexander had disappeared; and -in front of the platform, arranged in several semicircles, were the -famous seventy gilded chairs for the seventy elders of the synagogue. -Back of these were the seats for the families of the elders with a -narrow aisle separating the males from the females. On the first seat -to the left of this passage sat Rachel. Behind these seats, and skirted -by immense columns on either hand, ran a broad aisle from end to end -of the synagogue. The building was so long that the signal for the -responses had to be given by a flag to the more remote worshippers; for -all were expected to join vocally in the prayers as read at the centre, -though addresses to the people were made simultaneously at several -other platforms placed at convenient intervals. The walls were covered -with Scripture verses in both Hebrew and Greek, beautifully done in -mosaic—one wall with prayers, another with praises, a third with the Ten -Commandments, a fourth with the leading Messianic prophecies. One mystery -of the building was the pleasant illumination without any sign of windows -or sources of artificial light. - -While they were lingering over the Messianic inscriptions they suddenly -awoke to the fact that the synagogue was becoming thronged and that -the summoning trumpets were about concluding their sonorous chant. So -they made their way back, as rapidly as the incoming stream of belated -worshippers (not wholly unknown in any age) would allow, to the seats -which had been shown them. - -AMEN, sang the trumpets in long-drawn note from their tower. AMEN, -answered the packed multitudes on their knees. The door at the side of -the platform opened; and the seventy elders, with Alexander and another -younger man, who strongly resembled him, at their head, entered in long -flowing robes elaborately fringed and decorated on the breast with -phylacteries lettered in gold. The leaders ascended the platform: the -others passed on to the gilded chairs. The Alabarch seated himself under -the canopy: his companion advanced to the lecturn, bowed his head upon -it for a moment, then placed the _tulith_ on his head—and at once the -service began. - -Began with a doxology—spontaneous, universal, mighty; flooding the whole -temple with rhythmic billows of uplifting sound. As the last note died -away, the man at the desk began to read from a roll that vivid picture of -the consequences to Israel of both obedience and disobedience contained -in Deut. 28th—read them sonorously and with great distinctness, but not -without something of the artificial and professional in his tone—read -them with here and there a word of comment which did not always content -itself with the literal sense instead of an allegorical and mystical -one. This reading concluded, he waved a small flag; and all the people -broke out again into a doxology—this time the entire psalm, beginning -with, “Praise ye the Lord; praise the Lord, O my soul; while I live will -I praise the Lord,” in a rapid and triumphant march of unified sound. He -then proceeded to read on his knees, the people all kneeling, the prayer -contained in the psalm that begins with “Give ear, O shepherd of Israel, -thou that leadest Joseph like a flock, thou that dwellest between the -cherubims shine forth;” at the conclusion of which he waved the flag -again and a universal AMEN arose. This was followed by readings from the -prophets of selections commonly understood to point to the Messiah. Again -the flag waved, and the people exclaimed as with one voice, but in a -plaintive tone: - -“Though he tarry long he will surely come.” - -The reader then became a preacher. His theme was the Messiah. He spoke of -the certainty of His coming, of the time and other circumstances of it, -of the character and functions that would belong to Him, of the way in -which He would prove Himself, and of the universal current expectation of -Him among their own people. He showed that from the beginning of the race -hints of Him had been given—hints that gradually enlarged and brightened -as the ages rolled on, until, in the later prophets, all veils were -removed and the dimmest eye could see the King that cometh in the name -of the Lord. As to the time—he shared the common belief of the present -and the last generation that the time was near, if not already arrived. -How could the dates of Daniel be reconciled with any other view? To -be sure, some allowance should be made for round numbers: it would not -do to say that this or the next year is the time for the Coming; but -after all it is safe to say in a general way that we are living in the -times of the Christ. It ought not to surprise them if He should come -to-morrow. As to the family from which He is to spring, the place of His -birth, the forerunner Elias He is to have, there is and can be but one -opinion. Exactly how He will prove himself to the people it were hard -to say: perhaps by a supernatural beauty and glory of person, perhaps -by a mysterious inward voice speaking to the whole nation as it spoke -to individual prophets, perhaps only by His wonderful success over all -obstacles in becoming our Redeemer and King. - -The preacher evidently did not deem it wise to be at all specific on this -last point—the conquering and kingly character of the Messiah—in a city -held by the Romans for the Cæsars. He contented himself with glittering -generalities. He spoke ornately and enthusiastically of the prosperity -and felicity of Israel in the golden age that was sure to come. What the -Gentiles call by that name was a poor thing compared with that which was -knocking at the doors of the Chosen People. - -He, however, cautioned his hearers not to allow themselves to be -impatient in their waiting for this good time. Their faith might be -tried. They must be on their guard against pretenders. It would not be -strange if the current expectation should itself produce false Christs. -It would seem indeed as if this had already happened. At this moment, as -most of them knew, there was a man in Judea who was making much noise -with his claims, but whom the principal men of the nation did not feel -able to accept. When the true Messiah comes he doubtless will commend -Himself to the natural leaders of the people. Meanwhile the people should -rest quietly in their various places and occupations. - -When the orator had finished, the Alabarch rose and gave the usual -invitation to approved persons to speak—immediately adding, however, -that he saw that one of their own elders, Simeon the son of Simeon, had -returned from Jerusalem, and that whatever account he could give of -religious matters there would be acceptable. - -A venerable looking man rose from among the Seventy. He brought -salutations from the Sanhedrin at Jerusalem. They had been much disturbed -over the case of Jesus of Nazareth to whom the preacher had just -referred. The multitude were disposed to listen to him; attributing to -him many signs and wonders, and asking whether he is not the Messiah. -It was not clear, however, that he himself had put forward any such -claim. His Messiahship seemed to be merely an inference of the multitude -from his wonderful works at a time when all are on the lookout for the -Shiloh. As to the reality of these wonderful works, the brethren of the -Great Council and the principal men generally do not seem to call it in -question. They concede that Jesus has, with a word or a touch, cured -all sorts of incurable diseases; given sight to the blind, hearing to -the deaf, wholeness to the maimed, reason to the insane, and even life -to the dead. Two of them, Joseph of Arimathea, and Nicodemus, a cousin -of the great teacher Gamaliel, go further than this, and affirm that no -man could do such mighty works unless God were with him. “If such deeds -could not prove a Divine mission, they were at a loss to see how such a -mission could ever be proved. How was Moses authenticated?” But the rest -agree in ascribing the marvels to magic and evil spirits; especially as -there never has been known a time when so many people seemed possessed -with demons. They say that they are compelled to resort to this -explanation, not merely by the fact that Jesus speaks so unfavorably of -the ecclesiastical authorities and of their oral traditions, but still -more by the fact that he does not answer in origin, appearance, or aims -to the Messiah. The Messiah comes from Bethlehem, Jesus from Nazareth: -the Messiah comes from the royal family of David, Jesus from a peasant -family of no property or social standing; the Messiah is a mighty King -and Deliverer, Jesus is plain in his appearance, associates even with -publicans and sinners, and has nothing of the warrior and statesman -about him—in fact, says that his kingdom is not of this world. He has -even been understood to give out that his mission here is to teach and -suffer rather than to conquer and reign. Such a person differs so widely -from what they have been accustomed to expect and from what the Sacred -Books have been supposed to promise, that the leading brethren in Judea, -with the exceptions mentioned, are unanimous in ascribing the miracles -of Jesus to the Evil One, and in trying to break his influence with the -people. Whether they will succeed seems doubtful. But their determination -to do so is very strong and will probably lead to severe measures. He was -sorry not to be able to judge of the man from personal observation; but -Jesus at the time was in Galilee, and could not be reached in the time at -command. Besides, it was evident that a visit of Simeon to Jesus would -be looked upon as a discourtesy by the chief men—so decided have their -views become, and so high runs the tide of feeling. - -Such in a few words was the purport of what Simeon said in more. - -The reading of the psalm beginning, “Give the king thy judgments O God, -and thy righteousness to the king’s son;” the waving of the flag; AMEN -and AMEN by the people, as with one voice, concluded the service. - -The congregation rapidly disappeared through the many doors that suddenly -revealed themselves; for the architect had thought it possible that -occasion might arise for a hasty evacuation of the premises—had also -thought it possible to have the means of egress as unnoticeable by a -stranger as were the means of light. But a few of the elders, among whom -were Alexander and the preacher, gathered about Simeon, whose chair stood -near the daughter of Alexander. Cimon and Aleph had also lingered; it may -be with the idea of making some inquiry of Simeon or the preacher. Seeing -this, the Alabarch beckoned them near, and, simply introducing them as -co-religionists, proceeded to say to Simeon: - -“I am sorry that you were not able to see and hear Jesus for yourself.” - -“My desire was strong to do so: and I did my best to get as near as -possible to personal observation. I sought reliable information from all -quarters. There seemed to be no difference of opinion, even among his -greatest enemies, as to the reality of his miracles.” - -“What do you understand,” inquired another elder, “to be the general -character of his teaching? How does he treat our Sacred Writings?” - -“With the highest honor. It is agreed on all hands that no word has -fallen from him that savors of irreverence toward the Law and the -Prophets: on the contrary, he makes them final authorities on all matters -of which they speak; and when he rebukes the leaders of the people it is -in their name. He does not belong to the synagogue of Malus.” - -“That is a great point in his favor,” said another. “But are his own -manners and morals blameless in the view of the Law?” - -“I must confess that I heard nothing to the contrary—not being able -myself to see wrong in a religious teacher eating and drinking like other -people, or in his being accessible to the lowly and sinful.” - -“Have not I heard you say, brother Philo,” said Alexander to the -preacher, “that the chiefs of the people charge Jesus with blasphemy? -Blasphemy can hardly be considered a point of good behavior.” - -“I spake as I heard,” said Philo. “Perhaps Simeon can tell us whether I -heard correctly.” - -“It seems,” said Simeon, “that Jesus has sometimes spoken of himself as -the Son of God; and, in a mysterious way, of a certain unity between -himself and his heavenly Father; and, probably, it is this lofty way of -speaking of himself which has given occasion for the charge of which you -speak.” - -“Do not the prophets sometimes use language equally strong about the -Christ?” asked Cimon deferentially. - -“For example,” said Aleph: “His name shall be called Wonderful, -counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father.” - -“Such passages, I believe, have always been understood by many among -us as declaring that the Christ will not be a mere man, but will have -something of a Divine quality about him,” said Alexander reflectively. - -“Perhaps, then,” added Cimon, “it is not so much the magnificence of the -claims of Jesus that has led the fathers at Jerusalem to view him as a -blasphemer, but rather the striking contrast between such claims and the -humble appearance and circumstances of him who makes them, and which -have already led them to decide against him. Of course, if he is not the -Christ, such lofty pretensions are blasphemous—not otherwise.” - -“But it appears to me,” said another elder, Ben Abner, whose dress was -specially showy, phylacteries specially many, and air specially haughty, -“that the humble condition of the man is itself decisive against him. Our -wise men, for generations, have understood from the Scriptures that the -Messiah would appear in great splendor as a conqueror and king. For my -part I expect no other Messiah, want no other, will have no other. I hope -they of Jerusalem will away with the impostor.” He spoke with flashing -eyes. - -“So _I_ think,” said half a dozen voices with emphasis and gesture. - -“Possibly the friends of Jesus would say,” returned Simeon coolly, “that -great endings sometimes have small beginnings, and that there is time -enough yet for the outward splendor. Indeed, I happen to know that this -is what some of his friends do say. But others claim, and I must confess -that this is what Jesus himself seems to teach, that the prophets have -been misunderstood; that the kingdom and the glory and the conquests -of which they speak are spiritual and so perfectly consistent with a -lowly and even suffering Messiah. And for evidence they appeal to the -prophecies of Isaiah, and other Scriptures. Perhaps our friend Philo, who -believes so thoroughly in the allegoric and spiritual meanings of our -Sacred Books, will not blame this interpretation as severely as some do.” - -Philo smiled at this, and said that he never intended to spiritualize -_away_ the Scriptures. It would be very hard for him to give up the -brilliant hopes that had so long been entertained as to the times of the -Messiah and what he would do for his Israel. - -“I should not have so much difficulty,” said Alexander, “with the present -humble condition of Jesus, and the spiritual character of his claims, as -with the apparent fact that he was not born in Bethlehem and is not a son -of David—as the Messiah must be.” - -“That has been my great difficulty,” said Simeon. “It is everywhere -claimed in Judea that Jesus is a Galilean, a Nazarene, and of parentage -so humble that he is on that account in disfavor with even the people of -Nazareth.” - -Aleph ventured to inquire whether some branches of David’s line had not, -in the course of centuries, sunk into a humble condition; and whether it -was not possible that Jesus belonged to some such decayed branch—also, -whether he might not have been born in Bethlehem, though brought up -elsewhere? - -“I think,” said Simeon, “that we are hardly entitled to say _No_ to -either of these questions of the young man. I myself was born in -Jerusalem, though brought up in this city. The family of David is now -lost among the common people; and, though it can be recovered in our -genealogies, I never could learn that the enemies of Jesus have taken -the pains to examine them with reference to his claims. Having settled in -their minds that such a Messiah as Jesus is neither what they expected -nor wanted, they easily accepted without examination such rumors in -regard to him as agreed with their wishes and foregone conclusion. So, at -least, it seems to me.” - -“Can you tell us about what the age of Jesus is?” asked Cimon. - -“He appears, I am told, somewhat less than forty; perhaps he is not much -more than thirty years. I took special pains to inquire about this; -partly because of an experience of my father’s some thirty years ago, -and partly because of wide-spread rumors at that time of a remarkable -birth which had just taken place in connection with celestial phenomena. -However, the matter was kept as close as possible from fear of Herod. My -father at that time was living in Jerusalem—a very old man and as saintly -as old. For a long while he had expressed to his family an assurance that -he should live to see the Christ. One day he came home from the temple -with a radiant face, saying that he was now ready to depart, for he had -just seen and held in his arms an infant which an inward Divine voice -told him was the Messiah. He then lay down, calmly closed his eyes, and -departed in a peaceful sleep. This I had from my sister, for I was in -Alexandria at the time. All this was widely known at the time, but was -spoken of by the people under their breath on account of the jealousy and -cruelty of the rulers. Now at that time Jesus must have been an infant.” - -“And we happen to know,” said Aleph, looking at Cimon, “that the name -of the infant concerning whom such remarkable things were told was -Jesus—though we may not at present tell how we came by the knowledge.” - -As Aleph said these words he could not well help noticing three -things—the cordial look that Simeon gave him, the look of exasperation -on the face of Ben Abner, and the start made by Rachel, whose attitude -of earnest attention throughout the conversation would have been evident -enough even if her veil had not been gradually drawn somewhat aside as -she watched the speakers. Alexander also noticed the start. Perhaps he -feared a return of yesterday’s faintness. He bent over her, and spoke in -a low tone. She shook her head. - -“However, we will go home,” said he, “as soon as I have put off these -vestments.” - -He retired to the vestry, followed by the other elders. - -Aleph approached the maiden and said that he had been glad to hear from -her father that her nurse continued to mend, and expressed the hope that -she herself was none the worse for her indisposition of yesterday. - -“Not at all,” said she promptly; “but I was absorbingly interested in the -subject of the conversation, and was, I confess, startled by what you -said of your knowledge of the infant Jesus. You were not then born.” - -“No, lady; my knowledge is altogether second-hand, but is none the less -certain for that. My friend here has some original knowledge in the case; -but both of us have, in addition to this, sources of information that are -beyond all question.” - -“I very much fear,” said she with a sigh, “when I hear Ben Abner and -others, that our people will be found treating a new prophet as they have -ever treated prophets. What do you think?” - -“I also have my fears.” - -“But you also have knowledge; and if at any time it becomes consistent -for you to share your knowledge with others none will welcome it more -gladly than I. Till then I believe in it and—in you”—and her eyes, which -till then had been unconsciously and half-wonderingly perusing his face -as she spoke, sank before his, and the lovely color deepened on the -loveliest features that the Chaldean, or even the more experienced Greek, -had ever seen. - -What was that? A confused sound as of struggle and disputing voices came -from the direction of the great door on the street of Canopus. This was -soon followed by the noisy tramp on the marble pavement of what seemed in -the distance a body of soldiers. As they came nearer they were seen to be -indeed some twelve Roman soldiers in full armor, carrying at their head -a standard—the legionary standard, consisting of a pike surmounted by a -silver eagle, on whose spread wings stood an effigy of the emperor, with -this superscription in large capitals—DEUS TIBERIUS CÆSAR. - -The soldiers were followed at a short distance by a weeping, groaning, -threatening crowd of Jews who had tried, it would seem, to prevent -the entrance of the party with their desecrating symbol, and were now -following them with lamentations and execrations. - -As the band came near, Aleph easily recognized in the leader of it the -drunken officer whom he had disarmed on the Nile. Almost as soon the two -friends were recognized by the Roman; and, with an oath, he at once led -the way to where they stood (they had planted themselves in front of -Rachel), although at that moment Alexander and his elders were hastily -coming forward from the vestry. - -“I have found you at last,” the man cried, as he disposed his soldiers in -a semicircle, “and you will not easily escape me.” - -Alexander had now come up. - -“As the head of the community worshipping here, I demand to know for what -purpose you have come into their sanctuary with standard and arms?” - -“To give you and your friends,” the officer replied with mock solemnity, -“an opportunity, which no doubt you will gratefully accept, to pay an act -of religious worship to the great god Tiberius Cæsar—after this manner,” -and he kneeled before the standard, and, with both hands lifted, cried, -_Great God, I worship thee_. - -Rising, he exclaimed, “Now I have set you an example—copy it, every one -of you!” - -The crowd behind groaned and hissed. - -The officer shook his fist at them and shouted, “Be still, you snakes -and swine; your turn will come shortly. Let your betters lead off. It is -their privilege. Come, begin, Pontifex Maximus!”—turning to Alexander. - -“I demand of you by what authority you make this demand on us,” demanded -the Alabarch. - -The Roman pointed to the image of the emperor. - -“Do you mean to say that an order has come from Rome for violating the -sanctuaries of the Jews, and revoking the edicts which from the founding -of the city have guaranteed to us our own religious views and usages?” - -“The Roman senate has decreed Divine honors to the emperor; and his image -has been received and worshipped in every place of worship in the city, -saving the synagogues of the Jews. Now you shall have your turn.” - -“That is no answer to my question. The Jews have always had special -privileges in this city, and one of them is to refuse worship to every -god but their own. Again I ask, has this privilege been recalled by the -emperor since yesterday: for yesterday I received a personal letter from -him in which he promised to abate nothing from our privileges.” - -The Roman made no answer, but conferred with one of his men in a low -voice. After a moment’s delay, Alexander continued: - -“It is plain that you have no authority from the emperor for this -outrage. Have you for it the authority of the governor, or of the prefect -of the city? I await your careful reply.” - -“We are carrying out the wishes of the representatives of Rome in -Alexandria,” said the fellow sullenly. - -“And _that_ is no answer to my question. Are we to understand -that Avilleus Flaccus, or Urbanus Civicus, undertakes on his own -responsibility to set aside the decrees of kings and emperors for four -hundred years, those of the reigning emperor included, and has expressly -sent you here to-day for this purpose?” - -“We did not come here,” said the officer with a face that was fast -becoming purple, “to be catechised.” - -“You came here,” said Alexander sternly, “to commit an outrage—came as a -private venture of yourself and a few mischievous companions, and without -authority from your superiors. You deserve heavy punishment, and I hope -will get it. Now _begone_ from the sanctuary which you have profaned.” - -“_Begone!_” echoed the elders. “BEGONE!” shouted and screamed the mob -from behind. - -“Whatever privileges you cursed Jews may have, they certainly do not -belong to these men”—pointing at Cimon and Aleph. “These are no more Jews -than I am. And for aught I know the same is true of this woman. We will -see”—and he stepped toward Rachel to lift her veil. - -“Stand back,” said Aleph sternly, as he placed his hand on the breast of -the man and sent him staggering back on his men. - -Before the man could recover himself, Alexander interfered: “This lady -is my daughter; and as for these men, they are of our faith, and as -co-religionists are entitled to our immunities.” - -“And if it were not so,” said Aleph, “it may be well for this man to -know that under no conceivable circumstances would we pay religious -worship to the emperor, though quite ready to pay the magistrates all due -observance.” - -“We will see,” cried the Roman in a transport of fury, as he rushed on -the young man with his drawn sword. “Down on your knees to the standard -this instant, you renegade, or by Jupiter, I will put you on your knees -for the rest of your life,” and he struck at his knees. - -Aleph caught the blow with his cane. Whereupon the officer lost all -self-restraint and made a rapid succession of strokes and thrusts that -sought life. But Aleph had evidently learned the art of fence: his cane -was as good as a shield and met the sword at every point. At last, after -a desperate lunge, the sword went flying aloft; and both Cimon and Aleph -had seized its master. - -“EXPEL THEM!” shouted Alexander to the crowd of Jews that was now -surging and roaring like a maddened sea, “Expel them with your canes and -your hands! They have forced an entrance into our sanctuary, they have -profaned it with an idol, and now they have sought to stain it with the -blood of unarmed men. EXPEL THEM, I say!” - -The mob needed no spur. They threw themselves on the soldiers, already -cowed by what had passed, and in a moment were dragging them, disarmed -and unresisting, behind Cimon and Aleph with their prisoner. Had it not -been for the example of coolness and forbearance set by our friends and -an occasional moderating word from them, the people might have torn their -prisoners limb from limb. As it was, the soldiers had no gentle handling. -They had little armor left on them when they reached the great doors. -They had gotten many an accidental elbowing and tripping. Somehow people -had stumbled heavily and found it hard to recover themselves. There -were few parts of those Roman bodies which had not become intimately -acquainted with both the point and broadside of a cane. Their captain -suffered least—in fact, suffered nothing beyond the shame and uneasiness -of being held fast in iron hands. - -When those hands were taken off, just outside the great door, he suddenly -drew a knife from a fold in his sash and made a pass at Aleph. But both -friends were vigilant; and Cimon, while beating off the knife with one -hand, with the other dealt the rascal such a blow on the head that his -helmet flew off and went clattering down the steps into the street. He -followed staggering. The people behind, seeing only the cuff and the -result, cheered, and very cheerfully followed the example supposed to be -set them. Each soldier received such a hearty cuff and push as he went -down the steps as made his descent little less than a fall. - -Once down, they were not allowed to linger. The blood of the people was -up; and they followed the soldiers in their precipitate flight a long -distance with menacing cries and gestures, and with such missiles as they -happened to find in the street. - -Meanwhile the friends had been called within the synagogue by Alexander, -and the great doors fastened. What consultations took place it is not -necessary to record. There _were_ consultations; and that too of a -very political and secular sort. The situation of the Jews was always -delicate. There was much reason to fear that the morning’s disturbance -would seriously embroil them with the authorities at both Alexandria and -Rome. What should be done? If any one has light let him speak out at -once—_though it be Sabbath_. - -But none had scruples. The ideas of the Alexandrian Jews of the first -century were not exactly like those of some of their ancestors in the -time of the Maccabees who refused to defend themselves against their -enemies on the Sabbath because self-defense was work, and that too of -the severest sort. The children had become wiser if not better. They had -come to believe that self-preservation is a work of necessity, not to say -of mercy; and were ready to fight the idolaters seven days in the week -if necessary for even a less matter than self-preservation—as we have -seen. They would not consent to be martyrs till they had tried hard to be -victors. They would not be idolaters, and they did not want to be rebels. -They wanted to preserve their religion, and also wanted to preserve -themselves. Was it possible? _Let us see_, said the Seventy, as they -resumed their gilded chairs. So the men who did not hesitate to fight -a battle on the Sabbath did not scruple to consult on that day how to -prevent the battle from souring into a defeat. Were they wrong in this? - -Cimon and Aleph answered in the negative. I am not sure but that I -agree with them. Doubtless a council of war _may_ be as holy as a -prayer-meeting. I once knew of one that was holier, but that began with a -prayer. - -But a narrative is like a star—it perishes if it stops moving. So let us -proceed. - - - - -V. - -THE UNIVERSITY. - - Ο δὲ παῖς, πάντων θηριων, ὲστὶ δυσμεταχειριστότατον. - - —PLATO, _Leg._ vii. 14. - - _Of all wild beasts, a boy is the hardest to manage._ - - 1. Breakers ahead. - 2. Behold, the Serapeum! - 3. Another school quite as good. - 4. A Messianic partnership. - - - - -V. - -THE UNIVERSITY. - - -Early the next morning Cimon and Aleph transferred themselves and their -effects to a small khan in the Egyptian quarter of the city. This was -done for the following reasons. - -The events of the Sabbath seemed to make it prudent to withdraw from -public notice as much as possible. Of course, the son of Flaccus was a -source of danger: and then the seeming look of recognition on the face of -Malus, which both of them had noticed, was not a pleasant feature of the -situation. It was the silent lightning on the horizon. They felt it even -more important, just then, to keep out of the sight of the Jew than it -was to keep out of the sight of the Roman. Especially after an incident -that occurred on their way back from the synagogue. - -As they came down the steps of the Diapleuston, they noticed a Jew across -the street, watching them. Before they had gone far, Aleph, happening -to look behind, saw the man following, and spoke of it to Cimon. They -walked slower—at length very slowly. The man slackened his pace to suit. -They walked faster—at length very fast. The man quickened his pace -correspondingly. It was annoying. - -“Let us go to meet him,” said Cimon, “and see if he will retreat.” - -Accordingly they turned and, for a moment, it seemed as if their shadow -would turn too. But he thought better of it; and only stood still, in -some confusion, till they came up. - -“Can we do anything for you?” inquired the Greek. “If so we are at your -service.” - -“I certainly owe you an apology,” stammered the Jew. “The fact is, I -was in the synagogue at the time of the disturbance, and was so struck -with the very great likeness of this young man to one whom I saw many -years ago that I determined to wait for his coming out and to follow -him—in hope of finding where he was staying, or at least of getting a -better view. And I have gotten it,” he added laughingly, “in a way I did -not expect, but certainly deserved. However, I will not complain; as I -now have an opportunity to thank you both for standing up so boldly and -effectually for us to-day.” - -“Well,” said Cimon, good-humoredly, “since we have now gratified your -curiosity, perhaps you will not refuse to gratify ours by telling us who -you are, and whom you suppose this young man to resemble.” - -“That is but fair,” returned the Jew. “I keep a khan at the east end of -this street, near the gate of Canopus, as did my father before me. When -I was a youth, there came to our place from Judea a caravan of eastern -people, evidently of great distinction, on their way homeward by the -Red Sea route. It was in this company that I saw a man whose appearance -made such an impression on me that if I were a painter I could put him -on canvas to-day: and this young man is his double—perhaps somewhat -brightened by youth.” - -“I have to confess,” said Aleph with a smile, “that I am a Chaldean; and -also that all Chaldeans have a certain likeness to one another. But you -must not forget that the imagination is a powerful faculty, especially -among us orientals, and has sometimes been known to see things that did -not exist. But you can see for yourself, without any help from your -imagination, that the peculiar way in which this conference has come -about has attracted the notice of the street, and that the curious are -beginning to thicken about us. So now let us separate: but, as soon as -our affairs permit, we will seek you out and hear further about the -pilgrims of whom you speak.” - -So they parted. But the incident, especially after reflection and -conference early the next morning, determined the friends to withdraw as -fully as possible from the Jewish and Roman quarters of the city, and to -hasten certain inquiries as to Malus. - -There are two kinds of prophecy—the natural and the supernatural. The -latter is a spark from the Divine foreknowledge, granted occasionally to -certain privileged persons. That our friends had anything of this I am -not prepared to say; but they were reasonably well furnished with such -foresight as reason and experience can give; and what they foresaw was -very considerable annoyance and even danger if they should remain at -their present quarters. So they determined to remove. This was not valor, -certainly. As certainly it was not cowardice. But it was that good thing -which we call prudence, and which sensible people think to be almost or -quite as good as heroism itself. It was a wise precaution—the tacking of -the ship when breakers are seen ahead, the putting on of armor when the -arrows begin to fly, the striking tent and removing to higher ground when -the morning sky is red and lowering, and there is a sound of abundance of -rain. - -Have I said that the strangers were in the habit of asking each morning -for Divine guidance during the day? If not, I ought to have said it. -And the habit was no empty form. When they had risen from their knees -they seemed free from anxiety as to what might happen, though not free -from forethought and a disposition to be very active in pursuit of their -objects. Queer people, were they not? Some would say they were very -absurd as well as queer. However this may be, it is certain that Aleph -and his friend did not stir a step that morning even in the matter of -planning, till they had sought leading from a wisdom above their own. And -what they did that morning they may be counted on to do every morning -while we follow their fortunes. Will it be of any service to them? -Perhaps they have found in their Septuagint several passages like this, -“Commit thy way unto the Lord and he shall direct thy paths.” - -Perhaps Cimon found more difficulty than his young companion in -keeping free from anxiety on account of what had occurred. He felt a -responsibility for both. - -“It seems unfortunate,” said he, after their devotions, “not only that we -should have been brought again into collision with the Romans, who can -do so much to hinder at least one of our objects, but that it has come -about in such a way as to attract to us the notice of the whole Jewish -community. For, of course, yesterday’s events will be public talk to-day, -and everybody will be inquiring and surmising about the strangers. And -I am very much afraid that Malus has already caught a spark that in -such a gale will set all his suspicions and craft on fire. But as these -seemingly untoward things could not well have been avoided by us, I -cannot but hope that the untowardness is only in seeming. I have lived -long enough to know that a Divine leading can brighten seeming perils -and disasters into blessings. But it seems a reasonable condition of -Divine guidance that we try to act as prudently as we can, from the human -stand-point. And prudence seems to require that we at once remove to the -Egyptian quarter; that you matriculate in the University, and thus secure -its immunities for yourself, as well as meet the wishes of your father -that you hear for yourself the scholars of the west; and that I proceed -without delay to make the inquiries we need to make in regard to Malus. -These inquiries will have to be made as quietly and rapidly as possible; -for if he should take the alarm his craft and influence are evidently -such that he might seriously embarrass our movements—if not baffle them.” - -And so it came to pass that the early morning found them established in a -quiet khan almost under the shadow of the Serapeum. - -This does not localize them very definitely; for the Serapeum cast a -very great shadow. The temple, or rather collection of temples, was, by -all odds, the most imposing structure in Alexandria. It was built on an -elevation, partly artificial, the ascent to which on three sides was by -broad flights of steps and successive platforms; while on the north side -the ascent began at the harbor and advanced by a grade easy for vehicles -to the great Propylon. This was purely Egyptian. To the right and left of -it rose walls of red syenite, high and massive enough to be the walls -of a city, decorated with many towers, and inclosing the whole levelled -summit of the hill with their somewhat irregular lines. Within these, at -a little distance, and built of the same, though much finer and carefully -wrought, stone, rose the complicate structures of the temple proper. It -was a little city by itself. And, towering above all other structures, it -seemed to protect Alexandria and defy the seas beyond. - -Like most Egyptian structures it was most successful in giving to -beholders the ideas of massiveness and vastness. Yet the airiness of the -situation, combined with a mingling of the various Hellenic architectures -with the Egyptian, seemed to relieve the ponderous pile of any air of -heaviness. For Pharaohs and Ptolemies, Mother Isis and her vagrant -daughters Doris and Ione and Cora, were all represented in the confused -mass of templed structures designed to welcome all the classical creeds. - -The most striking features of the temple, to one looking up to it from -the street, were, perhaps, an enormous canopy that seemed to overhang -the whole pile of buildings and a tower by its side that rose still -higher. This tower was the famous observatory where Eratosthenes and -Hipparchus had made their observations; and in the spacious halls at its -base was deposited the greater part of the then existing Alexandrian -library—consisting of some 200,000 works collected by the Ptolemies, -together with 300,000 parchments brought from Pergamos by Mark Antony for -Cleopatra. - -The Serapeum was under Egyptian control, but was greatly revered by -devout Greeks and Romans as well as by Egyptians. Each nation regarded -the god to whom the temple was dedicated and whose statue of mingled -marble and silver and gold was there enshrined, as being the chief of -all its gods—the Egyptians calling it Osiris, the Greeks Zeus, and the -Romans Jupiter. For some reason, of late years, this statue had been kept -in a dark room, and was seldom, if ever, shown to the people at large. -They worshipped without the presence of any visible symbol of deity. -The priests were numerous and of the highest rank. The chief of all was -primate of all Egypt. - -To its religious character the Serapeum added that of an institution -of learning. Its priests had among their own people the reputation for -wisdom which belonged to the ancient Egyptian priesthood among all -nations—and not without reason. Their priestly duties being light, they -spent much time in studying the sciences and philosophies as then known, -and in training young priests to the same. In addition, the more eminent -among them taught on certain topics in the Alexandrian School. They were -recognized by the Ptolemies, and afterward by the emperors, as in all -respects peers of the teachers located at the Museum. - -Indeed, among people religiously inclined their standing was altogether -superior to that of the secular professors. They were far more sober and -practical in their teachings. They more boldly recognized religion and -taught on lines parallel with it. They had stricter notions of what could -properly be called science and philosophy. A few facts blown up into -prettily colored bubbles, and then tossed into the air on exhibition, -and then collapsing, and then succeeded by another output of pretty -emptinesses, and this by another, and so on—such were the substance and -history of the better part of the ever-changing teaching of the Museum. -The worse part had no foundation in facts at all. In fact, facts were -scorned. They were vulgar. The lofty name of wisdom should be given only -to great general intuitions and the logical deductions from them. And as -the teachers were by no means careful in either their premises or their -processes, their conclusions were apt to be worthless when they were not -pernicious. In short, the Museum was the child of Athens and the mother -of Germany. - -Accordingly, many of the noblest families in the neighboring countries -turned their faces toward the Serapeum. They were disgusted at the -laborious trifling. They were alarmed at the decay of faith. If their -sons could not have something that deserved to be called knowledge, and -knowledge without impiety and all the terrors, they did not want them -to have it at all. But if they could have it thoroughly leavened with -religious ideas—why, they would welcome it, be very glad of it, pour out -for it their shekels or sestertii or staters freely. Such people found -what they wanted in the priest-teachers of the Serapeum; and said to -themselves that if religion is the supreme wisdom then are the ministers -of religion the supreme professors. - -All this Cimon recalled and spoke of when he found himself in the -neighborhood of the temple. And he proposed that Aleph should matriculate -there instead of at the Museum—as being the nearer and more conservative -branch of the University, as well as more remote from the Roman -headquarters. - -“I do not think,” said he, “that you will need to confine yourself very -closely to the routine of lectures. Many of the more advanced students -do not. You are already familiar through me with the main subjects -discussed in both the Athenian and Alexandrian Schools: and I do not -imagine that you will hear much that is new; only you will hear the old -said in a new way, with new illustrations and personal modifications, -which is not without its advantage to a young man. And you will have -what, perhaps, is a still greater advantage, that of mingling with -and studying the leading young men of the West. As to the present -preliminaries for admission to the School, you had better apply to Seti -for information.” - -“And why not ask his advice, also,” said Aleph, “as to how you had better -proceed in the affair of Malus? It would be a safe thing to do. The -priest is not in love with the trader.” - -“Perhaps,” returned the Greek, “this is the best thing to be done. Still -I feel reluctant to do it—at least till I have proved it necessary. It is -a good rule not to call on others to help you till you have tried to help -yourself. We must spare our friends as much as possible. And I do not see -that any harm can be done by my going directly to the custom house and -inquiring on what terms abstracts from the records can be made, or by -my going to leading dealers and asking how the prices of certain goods -have ruled in Alexandria for a term of years. Let me cautiously feel my -way about to-day by myself: by the evening I shall be better able to see -whether we need to call in help from outside.” - -As soon as Cimon had gone, Aleph inquired of the landlord at what part -of the temple he should present himself. Climbing successive flights of -steps that began almost at the khan, he came to the broad carriage-way -of which we have spoken. As yet very few people could be seen upon -it—none who seemed moving to the temple. This led him to think that very -likely he was yet too early for the temple habits, and had better linger -a little before seeking admittance. So he sat down on one of the stone -seats, placed at intervals by the wayside for the convenience of the -weary and the idle, and proceeded to study at his leisure the stately -façade of the temple. While thus engaged he heard voices just back of the -wall against which he was leaning. - -A voice laughed heartily. - -“Have you been at your cups so early” said another voice testily. “I -should have thought that these leeks and onions would set you to crying. -That is what they do to me.” - -“I couldn’t cry if I were up to my eyes in the onions of Nauticratis,” -said the other. “Oh, it was such a capital thing! Why, the very gods -themselves must be shaking with laughter—at least our Egyptian gods.” - -“Who ever heard of an Egyptian god laughing? Our deities never did that -in the best days of the country. They who were as grim as fate when -Thebes was in its glory are not likely to smile now when Thebes is dead, -and a Roman garrison is in Alexandria, and a Roman Governor in the palace -of Seti.” - -“That is just it—now you are coming to the point!” cried the other; “it -is just _because_ there is a Roman garrison in Alexandria and a Roman -Proprætor in the ancestral palace of Seti that our gods, calm and grave -as they generally are, must have had a merry time of it yesterday.” - -“There, take that, you provoking Sphinx!” (and Aleph heard something -strike against the wall). “If you do not expound your riddle right away -it will be, not two onions that your empty head will get, but a whole -basket of them.” - -“Do you pretend to say that you have not heard what took place yesterday -at the Diapleuston? Why, the whole city is ringing with it—at least the -Jewish Quarter. The Roman Quarter will be silent enough, I warrant.” - -“Have heard nothing. Was in Canopus yesterday—came back before people -were stirring this morning. What is it? Out with it, man!” - -“An you be a true son of Egypt, now open your ears and mouth! Yesterday -the Governor took a hundred soldiers and tried to make the Jews at the -Diapleuston worship an image of the emperor. A magnificent young man -in shining armor suddenly appeared on the scene, disarmed Flaccus, and -encouraged the Jews to give the whole party a good drubbing. Which they -did. The Romans were pommelled within an inch of their lives, then -tumbled headlong into the street, and then chased on a full run quite -to Bruchium. Gods! what a treat to see Flaccus run! I would have given -ten years of my life to see it. And now it is said that Alexander, -the favorite banker of the emperor, and heavier with him than all the -pyramids put together, has just written to the governor demanding an -apology for his behavior; and threatening to report him to the emperor.” - -“Give us your fist, old fellow! Here goes my cap—to the moon, for aught -I care. This _is_ good news, capital news, news fit for the gods, -news—almost too good to be true! But it _ought_ to be true, and so true -it must be. Let the gods laugh till the skies crack. To see the Romans -soundly thrashed and running away with their tails between their legs -must have been a treat for heaven and earth. I could give that young man -a chaplet—who is he?” - -“Just what everybody is asking.” - -“And just what, in my opinion, nobody will ever find out; for he must -have been at once rapturously spirited off by the celestials to their own -country for the good service done us. Perhaps he was a celestial to begin -with.” - -“That reminds me that I did hear some Jews debating whether he might not -be the Wonderful Deliverer whom they are expecting.” - -Was there any danger that Aleph would be unduly exalted in his own -estimation by such a very complimentary account of himself? Perhaps -he was saved from this peril by the several large exaggerations of -the story. What more natural than for him to say, “And I, too, am an -exaggeration!” - -At any rate, he wasted no time in arguing the matter; for he now noticed -that the postern at the side of the great gate was being opened to a -comer. So he rose, advanced leisurely to the postern, and plied the -knocker which hung from a small window above. The door opened. He told -the porter that he wished to see the priest Seti. - -“I suppose you mean the _high_-priest Seti!” said the man with dignity. - -“Very possibly,” said Aleph. “Is there here more than one priest of that -name?” - -“I know of no other.” - -“Then I wish to see the _high_-priest Seti. Please have him informed that -Aleph the Chaldean wishes to see him.” - -The porter glanced outside, as if to see whether there was any fine -equipage, with servants, before the great gateway: then said: - -“You probably will not be able to see him this morning. I doubt if he -would see the prefect of the city.” - -“But I am _not_ the prefect—as you have just seen. I am a visitor more -likely to be acceptable to the high-priest: for I come by his express -invitation. So I will enter and stay in the hall till an answer comes to -my message”—and he advanced on the man with so decisive and commanding an -air that he gave way and admitted him. - -“Now if you will send my message at once, you will do no more than your -duty,” said Aleph coolly. - -So a servant was sent off; who after a few moments returned and, with an -air of great respect, said, “The high-priest will see you. I will conduct -you to him.” But he was spared the trouble, for just then Seti himself -appeared, received his visitor in a way that astonished the servants, and -conducted him to his own private rooms. - -“You see,” said the young man with that modesty and deference of manner -that are so graceful and winning in the young toward age and station, -“that I have very soon availed myself of your permission to call upon -you. It is the wish of my father that I should, while in Alexandria, -hear for myself the scholars of the west; though the Greek preceptor, -who has conducted my education and whom you have seen, has already made -me acquainted in a general way with the western literature and learning -as it was taught in his youth, both here and at Athens. And, as I am -told that the Serapeum stands for a branch of the Alexandrian School, I -wish to join it here; and have come to you to learn in what way I may do -so, and become entitled to such privileges and immunities as membership -confers.” - -“I am glad that you propose doing this,” returned the high-priest; -“especially because I have heard from Alexander of the events of -yesterday. No doubt there is danger abroad; but if any class among us is -specially exempt from espial and interference by the civil and military -authorities it is that of the students. So we will have you booked -without delay. Where are you now lodged?” - -On hearing of the transfer to his own neighborhood, Seti added: - -“That is just what I was about to propose. The Romans have less to do -with this part of the city than with any other. Neither my son nor myself -anticipate any trouble from the authorities on account of what occurred -yesterday. They probably will disavow all connection with it, on account -of my son’s influence at Rome. At the same time they, no doubt, are in -full sympathy with the rascals and will let them off without punishment, -if not with secret commendation. This everybody is sure of—I mean -everybody who knows that the leader in the affair was the son of Flaccus. -Your chief danger will be from that reprobate. After the lessons he has -had he is not likely to attack you in front; but you will need to be on -your guard against all mean and dishonorable ways of attack. He is the -greatest scoundrel in Alexandria—after his father and Malus, who have all -his vices and hypocrisy in addition. But come, let us lose no time in -matriculating.” - -Seti then led the way to a large hall with a platform and seats. - -“This,” said he, “is our chief lecture-room; and here some of the -professors who live and lecture at the Museum come at stated times to -repeat their lectures. This door opens into the tower from the top of -which our astronomers observe the stars; and sometimes other things -nearer home, as, for example, the flight and pursuit yesterday along -the street of Canopus. The doors on the other three sides open into the -library with its 500,000 different works on papyrus and parchment. Let us -pass into it.” - -Aleph now found himself in a room, or rather a suite of rooms, lighted -wholly from above, whose sides were shining with the copper cylinders -which contained the literary treasures of many lands and centuries. -What would our modern bibliopoles not give for the same privilege? At -central tables and in recesses were scholars poring over open rolls—also -professional scribes copying manuscripts with careful exactness and a -beauty of result wonderful to see. Seti led his companion freely within -the bronze railing that fenced the collection from the general public; -taking down and exhibiting some notably rare or beautiful rolls—among -others the entire works of Berosus and Manetho and Sanconiathon, of -which, unfortunately, we now have only a few fragments. - -At length they stopped before a small open office, within which sat a -uniformed official. He rose respectfully. Seti asked for the University -register. - -“Write your name, as you wish it to be known, here,” he said, pointing to -a page, “and then pay to this man as initiation fee one gold _stater_. -Then when I have written my name as sponsor over against yours on the -opposite page, you will be a member of the University and entitled to -wear its badge conspicuously on your tunic—also, whenever you please, -the University toga. But this latter is usually reserved for special -occasions, and can be procured at your leisure.” - -Aleph followed directions and received a large gold badge, which he -was told was only one _stater_ additional. Seti himself fastened it -conspicuously on the tunic of the new student. He also received from -the registrar a syllabus of the lectures for many weeks at both the -Serapeum and Museum. Glancing it over he noticed that Seti was one of the -lecturers and Philo another—the one on history and ethical philosophy, -the other on Plato and comparative religions. - -“Now,” said Seti, as they were returning through the lecture room, “I -have hurried you through these formalities for two reasons—one of which -is that I wish you to have as soon as possible the benefit of being a -recognized member of our University. The other reason is that I wish -to get you to do me a favor. Just before you came I had a message from -Rachel, my granddaughter, that the Greek leech, who is employed for her -nurse, has gone back to his old treatment and that the woman is again -rapidly sinking. It seems that the husband not merely supports the leech -in his course, but absolutely requires it of him. I suspect that the -brute wants to get rid of her. Now, I have an important engagement this -morning, which will prevent my going personally to look after the case at -the time she mentions—I see by this clepsydra that the time is near—and -as the matter is urgent I could wish to have you go in my stead and deal -with both the husband and the leech as you may find occasion in order -to save the woman’s life. Can you do me this favor? I think there is no -lecture to-day.” - -“Certainly,” said Aleph, “I will do what I can, for your treatment is -that of my own country; though, I confess, I do not at present see how I -am to enforce your wishes in case the leech and the husband should both -prove obstinate.” - -“That is a difficulty,” returned the Egyptian; “but I must leave you to -solve it as you best can. This will be no disadvantage to your education. -The young man who has learned how to deal with difficult men in difficult -circumstances has graduated at a higher university than teaches in the -Serapeum and Museum. So take a lesson in the university of human nature; -and, perhaps, when I join you, which will be as soon as my business will -allow, you can reproduce the lesson for me.” - -Aleph could not well help noticing the change that had come over the -manners of the porter as Seti and himself approached the postern in close -conversation. The man had exchanged impudence for obsequiousness. He was -all deference and humbleness. His bow was so low, as he set the postern -wide open, that one might reasonably have feared that the hinge in his -back had entirely given way in favor of a prostration. Has it not been -noticed in all ages that impudence and servility are near of kin to each -other and are never far apart? - -In due time Aleph presented himself at the house of the sick woman. The -same forbidding looking man who had acted as porter before now answered -to his knock, but only opened the door a hand breadth. - -After waiting a moment for an invitation to enter, which he did not get, -the young man said, “Will you not permit me to enter?” - -“What is your business?” demanded the fellow in a surly tone, making the -opening of the door still less. - -“A friendly one,” said Aleph. “I will explain it more fully when I have -entered and delivered to you—that is, if you are the husband of the sick -woman—some money which I have for you.” - -The word money seemed to throw a shade of uncertainty into the man’s -face. At length he said: “I am her husband. Why cannot you deliver the -money to me here?” - -“Of course I can,” said Aleph. “The only difficulty lies in my -disposition. The gold is in my pouch, my arm is long enough to reach -it, and your hand is near enough to take it: but you see, man, it does -not suit my humor to give gold to a man who is rude enough to shut his -door in my face. I hardly think you yourself would be liberal under like -circumstances—would you?” - -“My wife is very sick—it may be dying. Your coming in will disturb her.” - -“Dying people are not apt to be disturbed by a step and voice as light -as mine will be. Besides, if the woman is dying you will need the gold -all the more. Death and burial in Alexandria must be expensive. I suppose -there are some people here who cannot afford to die.” - -“Well,” said the man, slowly and after a pause, “you can come in; but I -cannot let you remain but a few moments.” - -Aleph promptly stepped in as the door opened; and, while the man was -closing and fastening it, made his way to the room he had before visited. -As before, the air was close and almost stifling. As before, the woman -lay on the bed, in about the same death-like state. And, as before, -Rachel sat behind her, supporting her head and caressing it with her -hand—her own face a picture of lovely distress. A man at a table was, -apparently, preparing some medicines. He was not a bad looking man, -save as a certain pretentious and stubborn look is a bad one on a face -somewhat stony and unsympathetic. One would say that his sympathy with -his patients would not be likely to interfere with his health or his -meals. His whole bearing seemed to say, “I am a leech, and I understand -my business;” and yet his dress was too poor to suggest the idea of a -prosperous business. All this the observant eye of the young man took in -at a glance. - -Rachel looked up. A look of glad recognition sprang into every feature, -but especially into her welcoming eyes. They smiled on him through tears. -He bowed profoundly in acknowledgment of the silent greeting; and, -advancing to her, said in a low voice, “From your grandfather.” Facing -about on the husband, who had closely followed him, he put a piece of -gold in his hand, saying as he did so, “For the sick woman.” - -Then turning to the leech, he said in a courteous tone: - -“I think I am speaking to the physician in charge of this patient. If -so, will he allow me a few words, with him in private? Perhaps we can -step out into this little court for a few moments”—and he at once quietly -moved to the door leading to the back court, opened it, and passed out -without looking behind him—passed to the farther side of the inclosure, -as if sure of being followed. He _was_ followed, though with some -backwardness. - -“I wish,” said Aleph, as he turned and confronted the leech, “to confer -with you about this poor woman. I come from some of her friends. Perhaps -you know who these friends are?” - -“Is not her husband a friend?” - -“He certainly ought to be. As to whether he is, I have my doubts. At all -events he is not one of the friends of whom I speak and from whom I come. -Do you know who that young lady yonder is?” - -“The daughter of Alexander, the great Jewish Banker.” - -“Do you know who Seti is?” - -“He is the Egyptian high-priest and primate.” - -“Well, these are the friends in whose behalf I have come and for whom I -speak. They wish to save this woman, and believe it can be done by the -treatment which was so successful for the short time it was tried. Will -you tell me why it was discontinued?” - -“Because it was contrary to all the medical rules; but mainly because the -man who employs me insisted on a return to the old treatment.” - -“You mean the husband of the sick woman?” - -“Yes.” - -“Are you sure that your employer is able and disposed to pay you for your -services?” - -“He evidently is poor; but he says that he has rich friends who can be -depended on for all expenses. This seems to be true; for the house has -been lavishly supplied for the last few days with every possible comfort -by some friends.” - -“Whom do you suppose these friends to be?” - -“The family of Alexander the Alabarch.” - -“Certainly these are friends worth having,” said Aleph with emphasis; -“and no doubt they can be depended on to meet all expenses—if they will -promise as much. And this they are ready to do, and more, provided you -will meet their wishes in certain respects.” - -“What do they wish?” said the leech after quite a pause. - -“That you will take them for employer instead of this vagabond; accept -such compensation for your professional services as they are accustomed -to pay; and then, in the interest of science, suspend for a little your -way of treating this case in favor of the one you have just abandoned. We -will assume all responsibilities. If the experiment does not work well, -you can return to the old treatment. You had better have the patronage -of the Alabarch and the Egyptian primate than that of this scoundrel—for -such he is, unless his looks greatly belie him.” - -“I have no very high opinion of him, I confess,” said the leech. “I have -seen more tender husbands than he; and the woman’s talk about him in her -delirium is far from complimentary. But if we change the treatment he -will be troublesome. He was very violent when he discovered the first -change.” - -“Did he tell you by whose authority it was made?” - -“He only said that a strange man had been meddling with what did not -concern him.” - -“Then he did not tell you that this meddler was Seti?” - -“Certainly not.” - -“Nor did the nurse?” - -“No—but she is mortally afraid of the man, and that may have kept her -silent.” - -“Nor did the young lady?” - -“No: but she had some difficulty in getting admission to the house, as -I think you had; and it is possible that the man would not admit her -till she had promised not to interfere, and had sent away her servants. -Indeed, I thought I overheard as much.” - -“No doubt the fellow will be troublesome. The only thing to be done is to -keep such a force here as will be able to control him. As long as we are -here we can do this; but when we leave we must leave behind others who -will make our places good. I think I can arrange for this.... Now that we -have come to an understanding, let us go in; but do you take the lead, as -is fitting, in making the changes.” - -When they re-entered the room they found the man standing where they had -left him—with anything but amiability in his face. - -“We have agreed,” said the leech to him, “in order to satisfy important -friends, to try for a while a change in the treatment. Sometimes the -failing powers will rally wonderfully under a complete change of -conditions. At any rate we will try it.” - -He at once set wide open door and casement. Then going to the water-jug, -he poured out a large cup full of water and brought it to Aleph, who -had kneeled at the bedside and was listening again at the parched and -twitching lips of the unconscious woman. He let a few drops fall upon -them. He gently tried to part the locked teeth, and dropped more. At last -he put the cup to her mouth. - -“STOP!” shouted the husband, as he rushed up—his face white with passion -and a demon looking out of his eyes—and with his clenched hand struck the -cup aside, spilling a large part of the water on the woman’s face—“STOP! -I say: this woman is under my protection.” - -In a moment, Aleph was erect and confronting him: - -“And _such_ a protection!” he scornfully said. “Such a protection as -the thunder cloud gives to the tree it strikes—such a protection as you -have been giving her, ever since you enticed her away from her friends -under the pretense that you were a man and not a brute. To my eyes the -very shadow that you cast, and a very black shadow it is, is that of -a wild beast of the meaner kind. I have not listened at these white -lips in vain. I know something of your story, and expect to know more -shortly—know enough now to say that this woman wishes no such protector. -Death would be a better one. After having made her life miserable you -shall not go on to put her to death—as you seem to wish. Now, do you -understand that we shall proceed to treat this woman as the leech has -said, and if you interfere, or make any disturbance whatever unsuitable -to a sick-room, we will find such ways of quieting you as may be -necessary—for quiet we will have, even if we have to turn you over to the -police as a dangerous character.” - -Aleph said this, not loudly, but in so determined and commanding a -manner, and with such rebuking and threatening eyes fastened on the -hateful face before him, that for a moment that face took on a shade of -fear and shame among its other shades—of which it had not a few. But it -was only for a moment. He reinforced himself, as such fellows are apt -to do, by a mighty oath and seemed about to spring on the young man; -but noting again his watchful eye, the cane in his hand, and his whole -attitude so full of lithe and conscious power, he thought better of it, -and fell back on the fighting resources of his tongue. - -“This is my wife, and this is my house, at least for the time being; -and I will do with them as I please. Because you are an aristocrat, and -belong to the university, and wear better clothes than I, you think you -can treat me like a dog. But a dog can bite, especially one of my breed; -and if I had as many heads as Cerberus they should all have a bite at -you. So help me all the infernals!” - -He flung out of the room. They heard him fiercely unfastening the street -door and then fiercely slamming it behind him as he rushed into the -street. - -Aleph at once followed him and secured the door. Returning, he resumed -his work at the bed as if nothing had happened—no more color in his -cheek, no more excitement in his eye, no less steadiness in his hand -as he again held a cup of water to the woman’s lips. Her eyes were now -open and fastened on him. Perhaps the water with which her face had -been flooded had freshened her back to consciousness. Perhaps, too, the -stormy scene that had just passed did something toward summoning back -her retreating vitality. While she drank, cup after cup, as if it were -the nectar of the immortals, she never took her eyes, eyes that seemed -full of wonder, from the calm, compassionate, restful young face that -bent over her. She afterward said that it seemed to her the face of some -benevolent and protecting divinity. - -Her skin grew moist. Great beads of sweat came out on her forehead. By -degrees her eyelids drew together and she slept—slept as sleeps the -infant, or as sleeps some still landscape after the drenching shower has -passed. - -“What food did she ask for yesterday?” said the leech to the nurse, who -had just come in from another room. “Make ready the same for her against -she awakes.” - -“And the lady Rachel,” said Aleph, “will excuse me for suggesting that -she ought now to relieve herself from her burden. The woman will do quite -as well if laid quietly down.” - -So Rachel softly disengaged herself, and gently placed the thin, worn, -but now placid cheek on the pillow. She then went to the casement and -stood there a moment reflectively. Then, turning to Aleph, she said: - -“I think I will step out into the open air, and perhaps you will be kind -enough to follow me.” - -Of course he followed her. Such a vision of loveliness and grace as -glided past him into the court is not apt to summon even a philosopher in -vain. I am not sure but that he would have followed her to Britain had -she asked him, instead of to that rude bench in the farther part of the -court where she seated herself and invited him to do the same. - -She said that he must not wonder that she wanted to thank him for -standing between her and insult yesterday at the synagogue—also must -not wonder that she had a woman’s curiosity to know by what means he -had managed to gain admittance to the house, and then to carry his -point so fully with the leech. Would he explain? So he gave a modest -account of his dealings with both the husband and the leech; and then -smilingly demanded reciprocation. The lady must not wonder that he too -had some curiosity to know something of her experience with the same -rough customers. He found that, as the leech had surmised, she could not -get admittance to the house till she had sent back her servants and had -promised not to interfere personally with the treatment. She was very -reluctant to do both things; but she felt that she could not desert her -nurse at such a time. Besides, she was expecting Seti, and encouraged -herself with the hope of his speedy arrival. However, she was almost -afraid to come within doors—the man was so rude and surly. And she did -not fail to tell what a weight was lifted from her mind as soon as Aleph -made his appearance. - -But what did he propose? Would not Miriam’s husband come back and break -up all that had been done? And such a desperado! What threats! She -trembled to think what he might do. Must not Aleph be on his guard? How -sorry she was that his unselfish efforts for others should bring him into -such perils! Her lips quivered, and she looked at him with moist, anxious -eyes. - -Aleph acknowledged that he thought the fellow capable of the worst. He -_would_ be on his guard. At the same time he did not think that they -need fear his return. If he should come back he must find men in the -house able to control him. So the leech and himself would remain till the -coming of Seti; who perhaps would accompany her home and return with two -strong and resolute men to take their places. So by alternation they must -secure the patient till she could be taken elsewhere—which he thought -would be very soon. What did the lady think of the plan? - -She thought favorably of it; and had no doubt but that her father would -do the same. But what trouble and danger Aleph was taking on himself in -all this! - -“Do I look as if troubled by it?” said the young man cheerfully. “You -see, I am here partly for educational purposes; and I consider the -opportunities which may daily come to me for dealing wisely and helpfully -with men as so many valuable teachers; and, as to personal danger, I am -quite willing to pay that price for my tuition. But pardon me, lady, when -I say that you who leave your palace for such a place as this, and submit -to bad air, and rude treatment, and risk of health for the sake of a very -humble person who can never repay you, ought not to be surprised at my -conduct. I am comparatively selfish in my conduct. In purity of motive, -I fear that you have greatly the advantage of me. Still I hope that you -will not on that account refuse my interested help in your disinterested -work. By and by, when my education is finished, I hope my motives will be -as unselfish as your own.” He smiled as he added, “But I should be sorry -to have you think that I am, even now, quite without pity for suffering, -and indignation at injustice and wrong.” - -After a moment’s pause, during which his face resumed the serene gravity -of expression which was habitual to it, he went on: - -“But, lady, besides wanting to complete my education, I have another want -in regard to which you may perhaps help me, and so amply compensate me on -commercial principles for all I have done or may do for your friend. I am -very much interested to get accurate information from Judea about Jesus. -Any news that may reach you about that remarkable person will be to me -like waters to a desert. Your father’s position is such that information -will naturally come to him and to you.” - -“I am not sure of that,” returned Rachel. “We get, it is true, a plenty -of rumors and opinions about Jesus; but they come to us, I fear, shaped -and colored by the strong prejudices and seeming interests of the chief -people of our nation, who are mostly hostile to him. These are about -the only ones with whom my father is in communication. But now and then -we meet with a man, like Simeon, who heartily wishes to know the truth, -whatever that may be.” - -“Such was the impression he made on me,” said Aleph. - -“Speaking of him,” said the maiden, “reminds me of a piece of news which -he brought us this morning, and which my anxiety about Miriam had almost -driven from my mind. He said that he had just heard from a friend whom he -had engaged to make certain inquiries for him that in the birth-registers -of Bethlehem is recorded the birth, some thirty years ago, of one Jesus, -the son of Joseph and Mary, both of whom are said to be descended from -David. He also said that the same friend reported some additional -particulars in regard to the reformer John, who made so great a stir a -short time before Jesus became generally known, and whom many for a time -took to be the Christ.” - -“Pray tell me of him,” said the young man, with a kindling face, “for -I have heard absolutely nothing. And yet the Sacred Books say that the -Messiah must have a forerunner like Elijah in character, if not in name. -I have had a difficulty here.” - -“Perhaps, then, what I have to tell may help you as it has helped me. -Simeon learns that this man, who for a time filled the eye of the whole -people and was then put to death by that Ahab whom we call Herod, was -exceedingly like Elijah in austerity of life and fearless denunciation -of sin, and that he distinctly forbade the people to count him more than -the forerunner of the Christ, and even introduced Jesus to the people as -being the Christ they were expecting. And this agrees with the reports -that reached Alexandria at the time.” - -“Many thanks for this information; it adds another link to the chain of -evidence I am seeking.” - -“So it has been with me,” said the maiden, while a shade of deeper -thoughtfulness, if not of sadness, came over the bewildering beauty of -her face as she added, “and I begin to fear that our chain when followed -to the end will conduct us to some new and very unpopular interpretations -of the prophets.” - -“I have for some time been prepared for that,” said the young man, calmly -and even cheerfully. “The great thing is to get at the truth: and I whom -you have suffered to read your face as we have talked together need no -further assurance that we think alike in this matter. We are both young; -and youth can accommodate itself more easily than age to new views if -they must come. May Aleph, the Chaldean stranger, venture so largely as -to hope that in his search for the Messiah he may still have the aid of -one whom he knows to be the first lady in the land in position, and whom -her grandfather, who ought to know, and whom I am far from being disposed -to contradict, pronounces the Gem of Alexandria?” - -“You do well to smile,” said the maiden, blushing. “My grandfather is -very poor authority on such matters. I happen to know that Alexandrian -gems are of very poor quality and mostly fictitious. But, seriously, -whatever a Jewish maiden can properly do to help in your matter she will -gladly do, both for her own sake, and for his sake who has been in this -city, perhaps three days, and has as many times befriended me and mine.” - -Here a loud knock was heard at the street-door. They at once returned -to the sick-room—and Aleph went on to answer the knock, hoping to find -Seti. And Seti it proved to be. Before conducting him to the others, -Aleph briefly and in a low voice explained the situation and received the -full approval of the Egyptian. On entering the sick-room they found the -patient awake with intelligence in her eye, and her arm about the neck -of Rachel, who had kneeled at the bedside. The nurse was standing at a -little distance with a bowl of food. - -“I am afraid of Antis,” they heard murmured as they came near. - -“You mean your husband?” inquired Rachel. - -“Yes,” feebly articulated the woman; “he is a fearful man—a murderer. Do -not leave me with him”—and her arms clung still more closely about the -fair neck as if for protection. - -“He shall not trouble you more,” said Seti emphatically, as he showed -himself. “But now take some food,”—and he beckoned the nurse forward. - -Supported by Rachel from behind, Miriam supped from a spoon at intervals -with apparent relish, till at length her eyelids again crept slowly -together and she was gently laid back to her unfinished slumbers. - -“She will do well, but must not relapse again,” said Seti: and turning to -the leech, “Keep on as you have begun—we will take the responsibility. -I confirm all that this young man has promised. He will, I understand, -remain with you till I can accompany the lady home, and come back with -some men to relieve him and you. Of course, after what the sick woman has -said of her husband, we are justified in excluding him from the house. -Do not allow him to enter under any pretense. If he insists, threaten him -with the police.” - -As Aleph put up the bars of the street-door behind Rachel and her escort, -he felt as if he were barring out a sunbeam. There is nothing like a -human face of the diviner type to light up a poor and dark house. Aleph -did not realize how poor and dark that sick house was in itself till -Rachel had left it and he had again placed himself at the bedside. Here -he sat for quite a time lost in thought till, suddenly, he became aware -that Miriam was awake and with wide eyes of placid wonder was gazing at -him. At a sign from him the nurse came forward with more food and drink, -supported her while he gently put to her lips at intervals a little of -both, and then gently laid her down, her drooping eyes still seeking his -face, to renewed slumber. This occurred again before Seti appeared with -three strong and resolute looking men—who being old servants of Alexander -and well known to Miriam in former days, were thought most likely to give -her a sense of security by their presence. - -Seti and Aleph returned to Rachotis together. - -They had scarcely turned away from the house before Antis came out from -a recess across the street and stole after them—at a distance, but so as -to keep them in sight. And they were not without particular notice from -others. Two such commanding figures as to stature and bearing were not a -common sight in Alexandria; and so the men whom they met would sometimes -turn and gaze after them. One of these did more than stop and gaze. He -followed—followed on one side of the street as Antis was following on the -other. - -I wonder what he meant! Was he a friend or an enemy? Or was it merely -idleness and curiosity that prompted the following? - -These latter make a motor of considerable power; sometimes even of fully -as much power as any of our celebrated modern motors, or those mysterious -ones used in the construction of the pyramids. And it certainly was -in daily use in Egypt among all classes at the time of our narrative, -and long before. Before the Ptolemies, before the Pharaohs, before the -Dispersion, before Tubal Cain—in fact there is some reason to think that -this motor was invented by the first man (some say by the first woman; -but this is a base slander), and was from him handed down to all ages and -countries. How else can we account for its omnipresence! - -So it is by no means incredible that the following of Aleph just spoken -of was not due to hostility. I hope it was not. I hope it did not mean -mischief. Still I confess to some fears. Somehow I begin to feel an -interest in that young man; and if any harm should come to him it would -trouble me not a little. - - - - -VI. - -THE CUSTOM HOUSE. - - Οὺκ οῖα βούλεται τις, αλλ’ οῖα δύναται. - - PLATO, _Nipp. Mag._ 26. - - _Not what one wishes, but what he can._ - - 1. News by the way. - 2. A commercial catechism. - 3. Python wide awake. - 4. No time to be lost. - - - - -VI. - -THE CUSTOM HOUSE. - - -Aleph found Cimon already at the khan; and, after giving an account of -his own experiences, received the following from his friend. - -Cimon went first to the khan they had just left for an article that had -been forgotten, and to learn what he might of the ways of the neighboring -custom house. - -He found that he was yet considerably too early for the business hours of -the chief official; and so lingered, making inquiries of the inn-keeper -about the chief traders of the city, especially in the line of eastern -goods. Who are they? Where are their places of business? How long have -they been established? What reputations do they bear? These questions -were freely answered—with some vagueness and reserve, however, as to -the last of them; as was to be expected from a man who speaks about his -neighbors to a stranger. Cimon found that Malus was by far the largest -and most successful dealer in the city. - -“How did that happen?” - -“Well, you see, he has the most capital: so he has the best goods, -the cheapest, and the greatest variety; and then his positions as -harbor-master and farmer-general of all imports from the south give -him special advantages for turning trade in his own direction. As -harbor-master he is the first one to meet the owners of goods on their -arrival, and can hasten or delay the passing through the custom house: -as farmer of the duties he has less duty to pay than his rivals, even -if he makes none of the illegal exactions with which some charge him. -However this may be, it is certain that he has very great opportunities -of befriending those who deal with him, and _can_ make it for their -interest to patronize him rather than others. People lay much stress on -this. So he has crushed out many small dealers. Still, not a few manage -to maintain themselves against him, though they make small profits where -he makes large ones. There are yet many people who for various reasons -prefer to go elsewhere than to Nos. 110, 111, 112 Emporium Street. We are -among them”—and the man shrugged his shoulders. - -Cimon took out his tablets and made some entries. - -While he was doing this, who should come in but the Jew who had so -curiously followed him from the synagogue! The man was surprised, and -apparently delighted, to see Cimon. It appeared that he was a brother of -the absent landlord, and had come to bring news of him to his family. He -had left him in Judea a few days before, and expected that he would soon -be able to return. He then turned to Cimon and inquired about his young -companion of yesterday. - -“That young man haunts me,” he said. “His face meets me everywhere; if I -read, his features come between me and the papyrus; if some one enters -my house I look up to see if it is not he; if I am walking in the street -I forget my errand and look for him instead. For example, while on my -way here I forgot what I was coming for, and found myself opposite the -Diapleuston waiting for him to appear, and, had he appeared, no doubt I -should have acted as ridiculously as I did yesterday.” - -Cimon explained that they had seen occasion to remove to another part of -the city; but were still proposing to seek him out and hear about the -eastern pilgrims of whom he had spoken. Perhaps he would not object to -give some particulars now—reserving to some future time, when his young -friend could be with him, a fuller account. Could they not pass into the -court and seat themselves where they would not be exposed to interruption? - -The Jew readily consented: and this was the substance of his narrative. - -When he was scarcely more than a boy there came to the khan on the east -of the city, then kept by his father, a large caravan of eastern people, -on their way home from Judea. It was led by three men—all remarkable -for dignity of manner, richness of apparel, and other signs of great -distinction, if not of princely rank. Two of them were old men; but old -after the manner of Moses. Their eyes were as bright, their forms as -erect, their steps as firm and elastic as one ever sees in the young. But -the third was comparatively young: and a finer specimen of humanity in -all respects the khan had never seen, though it had seen, first and last, -a wide variety of people from all nations. - -Ah, that young man knew how to walk—how to ride too! When he came and -went, whether on foot or on his Arabian, the servants would run to every -convenient outlook to wonder at the easy grace and majesty of his -movements. - -On the arrival of the caravan the khan happened to be quite without -guests. The pilgrims at once took all the vacant rooms, and remained -several days in the city—examining it fully in every direction; its -temples, palaces, harbors, markets, warehouses, manufactures, libraries, -schools. They evidently were very devout persons; not as the idolaters -are, but after the Hebrew manner. Every morning and evening they gathered -all their servants, and read from copies of the Law and Prophets, -and prayed most reverently to the Invisible; and on the Sabbath they -went separately to the synagogues; and when they left the city they -carried away with them many copies of the Greek Scriptures—also, it was -said, a Greek young man, well taught in all the western learning and -accomplishments, but who had lost his parents and other near relatives, -and so had few ties to detain him here. This was what was _said_: the Jew -could not vouch for it, as he had never seen the young Greek. - -But these were not the most important facts about the pilgrims. Some in -the caravan spoke the Greek language and the people of the inn used to -listen with wonder to the story that gradually came to them. - -For generations it had been widely understood in parts of the East that a -great king would some day appear in Judea in whom all the families of the -earth would be blessed. But lately it was revealed to each of the three -chiefs that the birth of this king was about to take place, and that when -it had taken place the fact would be signified to them by the appearance -of a new star-like body in the western sky, and that on seeing it they -should journey westward to carry the homage and presents of the East -to the new-born monarch. So they conferred together, made ready their -caravans, and watched the heavens nightly for the promised sign. - -At last it came. The day had faded away into the night, when lo, a -glorious beam shot to the watchers, and they saw a great star hanging low -in the west—a star wholly unlike the evening star, or any other star ever -seen in that quarter of the sky. The signal was promptly and joyfully -obeyed. Meeting at a place before agreed upon, the chiefs joined caravans -and proceeded toward Judea—the star appearing and going before them -whenever their journey needed special guidance. So at last they came to -Bethlehem, where the meteor sank low and blazed over the house where a -young child was. Then they knew that they had found the King; though it -was in no palace, but in a very humble home bare of all but the barest -necessaries. - -Was it a beautiful child? Even as Moses, exceeding fair. Was he afraid of -the bearded men as they kneeled before him and presented their gold and -frankincense and myrrh? Not at all. There were the dawnings of a kingly -repose and welcome in his eyes as he fearlessly stretched out his little -hand and laid it on the thin white hairs and on the dense brown locks -that were successively bowed low before him. - -And then they heard of things even stranger than those they had -themselves experienced. For the mother told them of angels who came to -predict the Messiah and his forerunner: and many people of Bethlehem, -attracted by the star and the stately caravan, came hastening up and told -how their shepherds had seen and heard on the night of the Birth a glory -of angels that shone and sang above them like a descending heaven, and -sent them to a manger to find their long expected King. - -The youngest of the three chiefs was so much impressed by the story -of the shepherds that he put it into a song which some in the caravan -learned and often chanted. - -“Did you hear it?” interrupted Cimon. - -“Yes: and our father would have us commit it to memory. I think that even -now I can recite it word for word.” - -“Please do so.” - -The Jew, after a few moments of recollection, proceeded to recite as -follows: - - “No tongue can tell the sacred pomp, - That swept from Heaven one day, - And trailed its glory past the spheres, - To where the Infant lay— - Lift up your eyes in vast surprise, - Ye shepherds, on the scene, - And see the flaming forms that hang, - The heavens and earth between! - - Upon their heads are golden crowns, - Their robes are white as snow, - Soft lightnings from their faces flash - Upon the vale below; - Before the glory of the Lord - The stars turn pale and flee— - Oh, what a sight that gracious night - For shepherd swains to see! - - Through all the still and scented air - There comes a deeper calm, - As if from fear lest it should hear - Naught of the coming psalm: - And now the air grows sweeter still; - Slow beat the balmy wings; - Clear o’er the mute and raptured earth - The choir of angels sings. - - Sings praises in the highest song - That highest Heaven can raise; - Sings praises to the highest king - That hears the voice of praise; - To Him who to the earth descends - In pity and in love, - And o’er its warring tribes extends - The white wings of the dove. - - And far across Judean hills, - Swell out the storms of praise— - I would that tempests such as this - Might gladden all my days! - For lo, ’tis Paradise to hear - The glory of that sound, - That swells so grandly to the skies, - So humbly seeks the ground. - - Full many an age will vanish, - Full many songs be given, - But ne’er again such wondrous strain - Will shake the arch of Heaven; - And yet each year our hearts will see - A glory on the wing, - And still each year our hearts will hear - That winged glory sing. - - And ever as we give our gifts, - And deck our homes with green, - Our souls will kindle in the blaze - Of that strange midnight scene, - And sing His praise in joyful lays, - By whom the Child was given, - Whose advent here sent mighty cheer - Through all the choirs of Heaven.” - -There were tremblings on the tongue of the Jew as he closed his low -chant, and tears in the eyes of the Greek; but the latter said nothing -for a few moments, and then merely asked that the narrative might -proceed. So the Jew resumed. - -The chiefs would willingly have lingered long in Bethlehem; but the same -Divine Word that had brought them almost immediately sent them away. The -next night the message came, “Let them return—and return by another way.” -So they returned by way of Egypt and the Red Sea. - -Shortly after the pilgrims had left Alexandria, news came that Herod, -in a fit of jealousy, had massacred all the male children in Bethlehem -under two years of age. It was like him. Everybody believed the story. -But could it be that the Messiah of whose triumphs and reign so many -prophets, in so many ways, had spoken, had perished in his infancy? Could -the promises of God be broken by the cruelty of man? Was Herod strong -enough to defeat the Almighty? - -The khan had hardly begun to ask these questions before there appeared -at its gate a man leading an ass, on which was seated a young woman who -carried in her arms a little boy. The mother was interesting—the boy was -wonderful. Never had the landlord seen such a child. It was not merely -that he was comely in the highest degree—it was the mystery of expression -in his face. As one looked on it nothing seemed too good or great to be -believed of him. His body seemed a thin veil through which flashes of -inexhaustible treasures of wisdom and goodness and power were continually -struggling. You who have seen a light shining through thin alabaster—you -who have seen a gem in whose heart rainbows seemed imprisoned—you who -have seen a soft, white cloud around whose edges have crept suggestions -of an intolerable glory within and behind, can have some idea of how that -wonderful Child impressed the people of the khan. By degrees they learned -that the family had come from Bethlehem, that fear of Herod was the cause -of their leaving, that the eastern princes had been under their roof—at -last, when confidence was full-grown and all reserve thrown away, that -they had among them the very Star-Child to which the journeying East had -brought its loyal homage and tribute. - -It was strange to see the mixture of tenderness and awe with which the -mother dealt with her son—strange to see the mixture of weakness and -power, of humbleness and superiority, of dependence and independence -with which the son dealt with his mother. At one moment it seemed as if -she was acting the part of a Providence to him; at another as if he was -acting the part of a Providence to her. - -The house was a different house from the time that Jesus (for such was -his name) entered it. A new element had come into its air; a new light -seemed to rest on every object; never had its inmates found it so easy -to pray and lead a good life. It was as if a new life had silently come -under their own; and, like a broad wave, was lifting it heavenward. The -eyes of Jesus, from their fathomless depths, seemed to invite to all that -was holy and to forbid all that was sinful. - -But even Alexandria was too near Herod. So, after the sacred family had -well rested from their journey, they went still farther south. It was a -sad day for the khan when they went away. The host would take nothing -in the way of compensation—save a smile from the young mother and a -touch from the child for each child of his. How that touch thrilled them -through and through as with some mysterious healing! They think they can -feel it to-day. - -The khan kept its secret. After a while news came that the Holy Family -went as far as Mantaréëh, and remained there till the death of Herod, -when they returned to their own country. After that, ears were kept -wide-open toward Judea; for it could not be thought that such a beginning -would end in nothing—that man and circumstance would be allowed to defeat -God. - -But the waiting was long. Ten years passed, twenty years, almost thirty, -and yet no further news came of Jesus. The khan was sorely puzzled. It -knew not what to think. Yet it still clung to faith and hope. At last -it began to hear vaguely of strange excitements and movements in Judea. -The eyes and ears of the whole family turned in that direction as never -before. And soon they learned that a great reformer had burst suddenly -on the people from the wilderness—austere, fearless, mighty of speech, -smiting the sins of high and low with the sword of his mouth, baptizing, -followed by immense crowds, who inquired, Is not this the Christ? - -And this, too, was the question that was asked at the gate of Canopus. -But they reflected that, according to the prophets, Christ must have a -forerunner of just this Elijah-like character; and so they were prepared -to hear, as they soon did, that the reformer’s name was John the son -of Zacharias, and that he distinctly told the people that he was not -the Christ, only his forerunner. Then came rumors of Another; at first -low-voiced and vague, then more distinct and emphatic—that John had -introduced him to the people as the Greater One for whom he had been -preparing the way; then that John himself had been slain by Herod; then -that the new prophet whose name was Jesus was drawing the multitudes -after him by a sublime teaching and a course of miracles such as had not -been seen since the days of Moses, if ever. Of course the Alexandrian -friends then felt sure that they had recovered the long lost Child. The -king of whom they had heard from the Chaldean sages, whose star had -conducted that most memorable of all pilgrimages, and whose sublime -childhood they had been permitted to look in upon, as by a window into -heaven, was now being manifested to the nation at large. And though he -had not come in the way the nation at large was expecting—was appearing -as a king of wisdom and mercies, instead of as a king of battles and -conquests—they felt sure that at last the Messiah had come to his own; -and that, beyond all doubt, Jesus was he. In the joy of this great -conviction the father died. - -Such, in substance, though not in words, was the narrative of the Jew. -As he proceeded in it he gradually came to speak with profound emotion. -He ended with a voice that trembled and eyes that wept. Cimon was hardly -less moved. They sat for a few moments in silence. Then Cimon said: - -“This has been the fairest of mornings to me. Though a Greek by birth, -I am a Hebrew in faith and expectations; and never did David so long -for the waters of Bethlehem as I have longed for news of that Son of -David and of Bethlehem, your Messiah. I say _your_ Messiah; but I have -reason to think that he is mine also; even to think that he belongs to -all nations. Sometimes, perhaps, when my young friend is with me I will -explain further. But I may now say that, from what you have just told -me, and from what I knew before, I am satisfied that the Christ has at -last come and that Jesus is he. God be praised! Some difficulties still -remain, and perhaps will always remain. Hard questions, questions that I -cannot answer, stare at me out of the night. And yet, God be praised! The -King has at last come.” - -The Jew grasped the hand of the Greek and murmured _Brother_. - -“Let me tell you another thing,” the Jew added, after a moment. “I have -_seen_ him. Yes, I have seen Jesus and recognized in the full-grown man -the unutterable something that spoke so powerfully to us in the child.” - -“When and where?” demanded the other. - -“Not in dreams, though I scarcely dream of anything else, but with these -bodily eyes. You see that, as news of the wonderful doings in Judea -thickened upon us, I became too restless to remain quietly here while -the world was being shaken only a few days’ journey away. My brother, -who long before the death of our father had taken this khan, felt very -much as I did; and so we agreed to go together and see for ourselves, -instead of having the facts filtered to us through the imaginations and -prejudices, it may be, of other people. Accordingly we went; and not -only recognized him, as I have said, but were at once recognized by him -and called by our names. None of our acquaintances were about him, we -knew not a soul in Capernaum, and yet, as soon as he saw us, he said -‘Shaphan and Nathan, sons of Reuben, welcome.’.... We were with him -several days and heard him teach the people as surely people were never -before taught. _We_ said, as did his other hearers, _Never man spake -like this man_. And then the things that he did! Oh, it was good and yet -awful to be there! How mightily and easily he did things which God alone -can do! We saw lepers white as snow turned into sound men at his simple -word: also one man who had lost a hand had it instantaneously restored in -our presence. In passing through the country we met many who testified -that they had been cured by him of the worst forms of disease in their -last stages—cured in a moment, and without the use of any natural means -whatever. Indeed, the land is full of such cases, so that not even the -worst enemies of Jesus pretend to doubt his miraculous powers.” - -“Tell me of the man whose hand was restored,” said Cimon. - -“A company of us were passing through a street when some blind men met -us and cried to Jesus for help. We halted just before a butcher’s stall -where a man was dividing some meat with a cleaver. Another man and myself -were pressed by the crowd close to the block where the work was being -done. In his anxiety to see Jesus deal with the blind men, my neighbor -laid his hand on the block suddenly, for the purpose of raising himself -somewhat to get a better view, when the cleaver descended and struck off -his entire hand. The blood spouted. A great outcry was made, and Jesus -came up. He calmly said to the maimed man as he held up the bleeding -stump, _Be whole_: and at once I saw a new hand occupying the place of -the old. The whole crowd, as well as myself, carefully inspected the -substitute and compared it with the original hand that still lay on the -block.” - -“Missing limbs are not suddenly reproduced by human art,” said Cimon. - -“I am tempted to mention another matter more personal to myself,” -continued Shaphan. “I have already said that Jesus called us by our -names. We found the next day that he knew more about us than our names. -As my brother and myself were sitting by the wayside, Jesus came to us -and said: - -“‘You are troubled. When you reach home look again for the missing -document and you will find it.’ - -“And truly we were in trouble. When we were children our father was in -partnership with a young man. But this young man gradually drew off into -other business, and at length sold his interest in the khan to my father, -who paid him for it in full and took from him a paper acknowledging the -fact. In process of time this paper was lost. Of late this loss has -somehow come to the knowledge of the man, and he now claims that he has -never received payment, and demands both the principal and the interest -on it for more than thirty years. To pay this sum would ruin us. We had -been again and again to our oppressor to ask for mercy. But in vain. So -we _were_ in deep waters when Jesus put out his hand and drew us out. For -since my return I have found the missing paper.” - -“Who is this oppressor?” - -“Malus.” - -“Has he already begun a suit against you?” - -“No: but he threatens to do so within a short time, unless payment is -made.” - -“Can it be that he is honest, and has merely forgotten?” - -“He does not say that he does not _remember_ having received the money. -He absolutely denies having received it—could make oath to that effect; -has a perfect recollection of all the circumstances, and has only been -prevented from pressing his claim during all these years by tenderness of -heart.” - -“Have you yet told him of the discovery?” - -“Not yet.” - -“Would you be willing to withhold the news from him for a while?” - -“If you wish.” - -“I wish you would: and perhaps we may be of service in helping you bring -this crafty and powerful rogue to justice. But it will be a hard matter. -My fear is that the officials of the city are themselves in league with -him in some of his practices, and so will be disposed to shelter him in -all.... But this speaking of Malus reminds me of a matter that I must now -attend to.” - -Cimon rose. It was time to proceed to the custom house. So, promising -Shaphan to see him again as soon as possible: also informing him more -particularly where they now lodged, in case he should have occasion to -seek them (“and,” said he, “I hope that your brother will soon make -occasion by bringing further particulars about Jesus”), he took leave -cordially. - -The lake frontage was, and had long been, all alive with business. The -cry of all nations was in the air. In the lake itself vessels of all -sorts were coming and going; on the wharves boxes, bales, sacks were -being handled with the same dispatch and carelessness that men now show -in handling the goods of other people. Also, the custom house itself (a -long, low building extending almost from the Gate of the Moon to the -canal which joined the lake to the northern harbors) was in full swirl -and roar, and had been for hours. But the chief official, like people -of his sort in more modern times, did not make as early hours as his -subordinates; had loitered over the morning meal and news, though not -newspaper; and so had only just made himself comfortable in his office -when Cimon presented himself—the first visitor. - -The Roman looked up from his tablets on which he had been writing; and, -seeing before him a very well dressed and dignified person, laid down his -stylus and took an attitude of attention. - -Cimon stated that he had waited on the chief of the customs in behalf -of an eminent trader, to make certain inquiries which could not be so -satisfactorily put to lower officials. Would it suit his convenience to -hear them? - -“What are they?” said the chief politely. - -“If my principal were to send here a lot of eastern good (silks, shawls, -rugs, jewels), what duties would he have to pay?” - -The Roman took down from a shelf a framed schedule and read from it -certain figures. He looked up. The Greek was making a memorandum. - -When he had finished, Cimon asked, “Can these rates be relied on for some -time to come?” - -“Doubtless: they have not been changed since the times of the Ptolemies.” - -Cimon made another entry on his tablets. - -“Can you give me some idea what the course of trade has been in these -eastern goods—what its annual amount, whether subject to fluctuations, -whether on the whole increasing or decreasing?” - -“I cannot,” said the official. “To do this would require much time and -labor in examining the registers.” - -“Then you register all lots of goods that come to you, and preserve the -registers?” - -“Certainly. We preserve them till they become too many for preservation.” - -“May I ask how long that is?” - -“About fifteen years. At all events, we have the registry books for the -last fifteen years.” - -Cimon made another entry, and then asked whether one willing to expend -the time and labor would be allowed to examine the books, and if so on -what terms. - -After some hesitation the official replied that the theory was that the -books should be open to the inspection of suitable persons, but that -there were practical difficulties in the way. - -“For example,” said he, “the books of this year are in constant use for -record and consultation by the officers of the custom house; the books -of previous years are often needed by them for reference; and then, of -course, an examination of the books by outside parties would have to be -made in the presence of an official, and all the officials we now have -are fully occupied with other duties from which they cannot well be -spared; and one specially appointed would be expensive, if permissible.” - -Cimon said that he was ready to charge himself with all expenses. - -The Roman hastened to say that even in that case an express permit from -the prefect of the city, possibly from the Governor, might be necessary. -He would make inquiry, and, perhaps, would be able to inform him within a -day or two. - -The Greek bowed. Meanwhile would the chief look over the memoranda he had -made and see whether they were correct? He passed over the tablets. - -The Roman looked them over carefully and pronounced them all right. - -“Would the chief oblige him by writing as much on the tablets over his -own signature?” - -Yes—the chief would do that; and did it. - -Cimon bowed again and withdrew. - -On his way out he saw Malus entering. The two men seemed to recognize -each other at the same moment. Instantly there flashed into the look of -each something that told the other that the encounter was not pleasant. -On the part of the Greek the flash was one that gave new erectness to -his form and new gravity to his features: on the part of the Jew it was -a flash of suspicion and alarm that for an instant expanded his eyes and -perceptibly checked his movement. For an instant only. Then came a new -woodenness into his face, and he seemed to retreat still further behind -those small, half-closed eyes which yet lost nothing of their watchful -expression. So on they came toward each other—the Greek unconsciously -increasing the dignity and firmness of his tread, and keeping his eyes -fixed on the approaching face as if bent on improving to the utmost an -unwelcome opportunity for reading on that hard page whatever might be -read. So they met and passed. Cimon never looked behind him. Had he done -so he would have seen Malus standing at the door of the office just left -and looking after him. - -But the Greek did not need to see this. That steady look into the face -of Malus, though brief, was enough to assure him that the suspicions of -the man were all ablaze, and that he would not rest till he had found out -whatever the custom-house chief could tell him. And probably he would be -successful in suppressing any further light from that quarter. Cimon was -thankful, however, that he had secured as much as he had. He trusted that -it would be sufficient—perhaps it could be used to compel more. - -He was now more than ever impressed with the necessity of hastening -whatever further inquiries he had to make. It was still high day—why not -proceed at once to the dealers in eastern goods whose addresses he had -jotted down at the khan, and try to find out what had been the selling -prices of eastern goods for as many years as possible? Why not even -improve the opportunity of Malus’ absence from his warehouse to go there -and see what would be said by the subordinates when not overlooked by the -master? As soon as the idea suggested itself, he accepted it. He would go -to Nos. 110, 111, 112 Emporium Street first of all. - -Accordingly, as soon as he had passed through the Gate of the Moon, -turning leftward into the Greek quarter to lessen the chances of -recognition, he proceeded northward till he thought he might be opposite -to the warehouse of Malus, and then struck eastward into Emporium Street -again. His venture was successful. Before him stood the establishment he -was seeking. As soon as he presented himself at the door he was politely -saluted by a young man and invited to enter. What could he do for my lord? - -My lord wished to be conducted to the chief man in charge of the -department of eastern goods. - -“Certainly, it would be done with the greatest pleasure. Would my lord be -pleased to follow?” - -This following took Cimon through a large part of the establishment. He -could well believe it to be the largest warehouse in Alexandria. It was -really an immense bazaar. One could find there almost anything that was -bought and sold in the Roman world—from the toys of infants up to the -furnishings of a royal palace, and even of a royal person. Messengers -were hurrying about, crowds were coming and going, salesmen were crying -out and displaying their goods from hundreds of stalls. It was a tempest -of assault on the pouches of visitors. And many were evidently being -captured. - -The department to which Cimon at last came was specially attractive. -Here, in an air through which stole the sweetness of the Indian nard -and other costly aromatics, were piled or suspended miracles of the -loom and needle, on some of which had been expended the labors of a -life-time—veils like sea-foams, embroideries to which the glowing -oriental fancy and patient fingers had transferred landscape and legend -and history and the starry heavens; gold and silver brocade from beyond -the Ganges; silks, tapestries, housings, rugs, shawls from Persia and -Cashmere: the whole brightened and multiplied wonderfully by polished -steel mirrors judiciously placed. At the centre of the department was the -collection of precious stones. In a compartment whose walls were formed -by suspended tapestries richly hued and pictured, in a case whose beauty -and strength seemed to certify to the great value of its contents, lay -pearls from the Persian Gulf, emeralds from the Caucasus, diamonds from -the Oxus, turquoises from Medea, rubies from Bokhara, and many other -gems—all skillfully arranged into a stony rainbow. - -As Cimon passed close to the sparkling collection, and lingered over -it for a moment as he passed, it struck him that the sparkle of some -of the brilliants was not exactly that of genuine stones. But he might -be mistaken. Something more than a passing glance is needed to enable -even an expert to identify paste in its better specimens. But one thing -he was quite sure of by this time, and that was that the light in the -establishment was such as to make an accurate judgment of most of the -goods very difficult to an average customer, while such as to set them -off to the best advantage. - -But he was now standing before the desk of the man whom he came to see. - -“You have this department in charge, I believe,” said the Greek, as he -courteously saluted a Jew who was no longer young. - -Receiving an affirmative bow, Cimon proceeded: - -“I am here in behalf of a friend who is not living in this city, to -inquire the prices at which certain goods of the very best quality can be -obtained. If you will furnish me with a large blank bill I will specify -the articled in writing.” - -A large blank bill was readily handed to him, on which he wrote a list of -considerable length. - -“Now will you oblige me,” said he, after having carefully read over what -he had written, “by setting down opposite these several items the prices -at which you could furnish them to-day?” - -The man’s eyes snapped as he looked over the long list and saw how many -expensive articles it included. When he had set down prices as requested, -and had handed back the paper to Cimon, he said: - -“The figures may seem to you somewhat large; but they are for first-class -goods. In fact, I have made the prices smaller than they would be for -small lots, considering the length of your list.” - -Cimon examined the paper carefully. - -“The prices are unexpectedly large, I confess,” he said gravely. “Have -these goods risen in value lately?” - -“By no means. The figures I have given you are the lowest we have made in -many years.” - -“Then you have been in charge of this department for a considerable time?” - -“For twenty years.” - -“Are these the bottom prices for so long a time as that?” - -“Just so.” - -“You surprise me. Are you quite sure that there is no mistake in -this—that your memory serves you faithfully in regard to so many years?” - -“Perfectly sure,” with emphasis. “You see, all the business of this -department, so far as sales are concerned, has been in my hands for the -number of years I have mentioned; and I remember perfectly that never -during all that time have we offered or sold such goods as these at such -low figures as I have written.” - -“I think, then,” said Cimon, “it would be well for you to add as much -to this paper. Would you object to write at the bottom, ‘These are the -lowest figures at which the above goods have been sold for the last -twenty years?’” - -“Not at all,” said the man—and wrote accordingly. - -Cimon took the paper and courteously withdrew. - -In very much the same manner and with like success he dealt with several -other establishments in the same neighborhood—obtaining from each a -written statement of present prices and of how these compared, with the -prices of the years immediately preceding. The last place he visited -was that of Simeon Ben Simeon. Here, for the first time, he saw himself -recognized—Simeon himself being present—and was received in a very -cordial way. - -“We certainly are under great obligations to you and that magnificent -young friend of yours for your spirited help yesterday in the synagogue. -I have been quite desirous to meet you again: especially as I saw that -both of you were much interested in my report of matters in Judea, and, -as I ventured to think, took very much the same view of them as I did. -Also, I have something new to tell you.” - -Simeon then gave the account with which we are already familiar, as given -to Aleph by Rachel. And, in return, the Greek related what Shaphan had -told him—keeping back, however, the part that related to Malus. And they -rejoiced together. - -“Tell me,” said Simeon suddenly, “about that young man—you know whom -I mean. Somehow he has a way of walking into one’s confidence and -affections after a very wonderful fashion. Who is he?” - -Cimon smiled at this downrightness and furious driving at the mark. - -“For the present,” said he, “he is only the friend and pupil of Cimon -the son of Cimon. I may, however, add that he is one who is quite -worthy of the impression he makes. The gold is solid. I have now known -him for twenty years—that is to say, ever since he was born—and I have -nothing but good and great things to say of him. Is he my son? Of course -not—as one can easily see—but though not my son he is a remarkably good -substitute for one. I could hardly have a better. And,” he added archly, -“I think seriously of adopting him.” - -The Jew laughed at the cleverness of the Greek, and forebore to press; -only adding, “_I_ could adopt him _without_ thinking seriously of it.” - -As he rose to leave, Cimon said, “I am really sorry that I cannot at -present give you the information you wish about my young friend. But I am -under bonds. His father only can release me, and that father is far away. -So I must confine myself to saying that, unlike most plants which begin -to wither as soon as they are parted from the parent root, this plant -daily freshens into a larger life. I am the more sorry that I cannot go -beyond this, both because you have already given me information of the -highest value, and because I came here for the very purpose of getting -still further information from you—provided you can consistently grant -it. I wish to get from the leading dealers in eastern goods in this city -the present selling prices of a number of articles—also how these prices -compare with those of as many past years as possible. I have already -obtained written statements from all, save yourself, on whom I proposed -to call. Do you see any objection to giving me yours?” - -“None in the world. Let me see your list.” - -So in a few moments Cimon added another to his papers. As Simeon handed -it to him, he said: - -“I think you can hardly have called on Malus to-day, and yet he has the -largest establishment of your sort in the city. He would hardly care to -give you such a paper as this. He is much too deep for that.” - -Without a word, the Greek singled out one from his parcel of papers and -passed it to the Jew—who as soon as he had glanced it over, exclaimed: - -“Where was Malus when this was given?” - -“Absent.” - -“Of course. _Of course_ he was absent—as his deputy will probably be when -the master learns of his indiscretion.” - -As Cimon had noticed no sign of recognition in street or shop, save at -Simeon’s, he had begun to feel that perhaps his precautions had been -unnecessary; so, when he had taken leave of Simeon and saw how large a -part of the day still remained, instead of crossing directly into the -Greek quarter again and so proceeding homeward, he turned northward on -Emporium Street till he came to the great square at the intersection -with the street of Canopus. Here, seeing a crowd that seemed greatly -interested with something in their midst, he crossed over to them, and -finally managed, by a patient use of the impatience of others, to secure -a place where he could see what was going on. - -And this was what was going on. A number of street boys, altogether -Jewish, were busy practicing a new game. They had drawn on the pavement -with a charred stick the ground plan of a large building which Cimon at -once recognized as the Diapleuston. Just before him was an unmarked place -for the principal door: half way down on the left was a pile of boxes to -stand for the main _bema_ with its canopy and lecturn: in front of this -stood a group of boys pretending to be in earnest conversation among -themselves. After this show had continued for a while, all but two of -the boys walked off and squatted silently behind the boxes. The two boys -left continued the pantomime of conversation for a few minutes, when a -noise was heard and lo, another group of boys who had been hid behind the -fountain came marching in at the door, two by two, with papyrus helmits -on their heads and long, sharpened sticks for spears, trying to keep pace -together in soldierly fashion, and carrying in their midst, transfixed on -an extra long stick, a very ragged, dirty, and hideous doll. At the head -of this company swaggered, perhaps the best dressed, but certainly the -ugliest little rascal of the whole lot. He had taken some pains to add -to his natural accomplishments such smutches of loveliness as a liberal -use of mud and charcoal could give, and would have frightened his own -father and mother. About his waist was a rope for a sash: to this was -attached a bit of papyrus cut into the shape of a scabbard; in his hand -he flourished as sword a short strip of lath that had just come from the -shambles and was red enough to be the sword of Mars. - -This high and mighty captain at once led his company straight to the two -boys, surrounded them, and fell to abusing them with his tongue as only a -practiced street Arab could do. On this, the other boys behind the boxes -hurried to the scene of action, and threw in a liberal accompaniment of -voice and gesture to swell the interest of the occasion. Soon Captain -Mars worked himself into a tempest, flew at one of the two boys, with his -bloody weapon uplifted. The other boys so crowded about the encounter -with outstretched and swaying arms as to confuse the view of the -spectators; but in a few moments they saw the mimic sword flying high -in air, and then its owner in close custody in process of being marched -helplessly toward the door, followed by his tatterdemalions hanging their -heads and staggering about as they were pushed and pulled and cuffed by -the screaming and enthusiastic escort that hemmed them closely in. At the -door the leader was dismissed with a rousing box on the ear which sent -him off on a stagger, which finally ended in a runaway toward the Roman -quarter. His followers each received a like compliment with a like result. - -The spectators seemed to enjoy this conclusion hugely. They cheered and -gesticulated with great enthusiasm; and when the hot chase took place -they all hurried off to keep it in view. The last to follow was a man who -had been standing just before Cimon. This man, glancing right and left as -if to make sure that the ground was clear, directed his course across the -square so as to take on his way the two boys who had personated Cimon and -Aleph, and dealt each of them in passing a thwack on the head that was -none of the mildest. At all events, it was not a mild wailing that the -little fellows set up. Luckily, however, Cimon had noticed the movements -of the man, and half divining his purpose, had followed him so closely -that he was near enough when the blows were given to follow them with -prompt punishment. The two hearty cuffs he gave the fellow were quite -equal in value to those he had administered, and seemed very surprising. -In the startled and inflamed face that was suddenly turned toward him, -Cimon recognized, as he thought, Roman features, though considerably -disguised. Could it be that he had again encountered the son of the -Governor? But the man gave him no opportunity for a closer examination. -He went rapidly off with a Latin oath and a fist-shaking that belonged to -all languages. - -Cimon consoled the children with a friendly pat on the head and a piece -of money for each—such as he had never before possessed. But they hardly -needed this consolation—they were so delighted with the summary judgment -on their oppressor. Smiles were already rippling over their tearful faces -like sunshine over a wet landscape. And when the friendly look and touch -and money were added, their sorrows were all forgotten in a caper of -delight. But Cimon was really sorry that the urchins had not chosen some -other theme for their sport. - -“Ten to one,” said he to himself, “this affair, with liberal -embellishments, will be carried straight to Bruchium, and will still -further stir up ill blood between the sections. There will be trouble -here before long. These Jews are too reckless and provoking to be left -alone. It may be that their expectation of a conquering Messiah at the -door has something to do with their audacity.” - -With such thoughts as these running through his mind, he made his way -homeward through the Greek and Egyptian quarters. His thoughts ran, but -his feet walked—walked very leisurely; for so at this hour of the day -did most of the people; and he did not care to draw attention to himself -by doing differently from others. Besides, he wished to study the people, -as far as he could—without being observed. And it is wonderful how much -some people can see without the appearance of seeing. They could hardly -see more if their heads were set with a coronet of eyes. Do they divine -the situation? Do they absorb the facts lying about them at every pore -as they do heat and moisture? So it would seem. Cimon belonged to this -class of men. He did not stare, he did not look this way and that, and -sometimes turn about, with curiosity flooding every feature and saying, -“I am a new-comer,” but he pursued his way with quiet and equal steps and -with “eyes that looked right on, and eyelids that looked straight before -him”—and yet nothing escaped him; not even that shadow of a portly man -just disappearing within a shop on his left and that ragged little urchin -that almost immediately darted out of the same and followed him at a -little distance. - -What should he do? A thought came to him as he came to a baker’s shop. He -turned in and called for a loaf and some cakes—keeping an eye on the open -door while his parcel was being made up. Presently the little ragamuffin -appeared cautiously peeping within. Cimon held out toward him a large, -tempting cake, and beckoned. The boy came in slowly, as if resisting an -irresistible magnet. - -“Hungry, my lad?” - -The hungry eyes and pinched features of the little fellow answered the -question before his bobbing head could say _Yes_, as it was not slow to -do. - -“Had anything to eat to-day, my poor boy? Really, I do not believe you -have,” he added pityingly, as he looked more carefully into the thin, -dirty face. - -The face began to cry. - -“And you had no money to buy food with—had you?” inquired Cimon, as he -softly patted the curly head. - -“He said he would give me some money when I came back,” said the boy. - -“_Who_ said it?” asked Cimon. - -“The man who sent me to see where you were going.” - -“He did not think I was going into a baker’s shop to get you something to -eat—did he? Come, sit right down here on this bench and eat this loaf and -these cakes. Any more hungry ones at home?” - -The boy at this began to sob, and at last broke into a perfect canter of -sobs. He muttered something which Cimon had to bend low to make out. - -“What, poor mother and little sister! Alas, alas—how sorry I am! But do -you sit here and eat this; and when you have finished, the baker shall -give you twice as much to carry home to your hungry mother and sister, -for here is the money. If I could help, they should never be hungry -again.” - -I do not know what the baker thought of this way of treating the little -beggar. But I know what the little beggar thought. He highly approved. -He soon dried his tears in the presence of kind looks, kind words, -and kinder food. What a glorious appetite that was! And while it was -being satisfied, or at least gratified, our friend quietly went his -way—unshadowed. - - - - -VII. - -THE MATRICULATION - - Δεῖ δὲ αὺτὰς τας μηρέρας τὰ τέκνα τρέφειν. - - —PLUTARCH, _De Lib. Educ._ c. 5. - - _Mothers must cherish their children._ - - 1. An ethical lecture. - 2. How students examine. - 3. Is Jesus a magician? - 4. Let Miriam testify. - - - - -VII. - -THE MATRICULATION. - - -Aleph was greatly interested in Cimon’s account of his adventures—most of -all in the story of Shaphan. He determined to communicate it as soon as -possible to the daughter of Alexander. But when would it be possible? On -referring to his syllabus he found that Seti would lecture early the next -morning. He would attend that lecture, and afterward would go to look -after the sick woman Miriam. Perhaps he would find Rachel with her: if -not he might learn when she was likely to come, and so manage to meet her. - -Before the third hour the next morning, both Cimon and Aleph found -themselves in the great lecture hall of the Serapeum. The students came -in scatteringly; but at length the room was well filled, for Seti was -popular with the young men. This was owing partly to the splendor of -his lineage and office, which always weighs much with even the most -democratic young men; partly to his repute as the heir of the mysterious -wisdom of Old Egypt; and partly to the wonderful contrast between -his years and the unabated vigor of both his bodily and intellectual -faculties. And then this son of the Pharaohs and supreme Egyptian pontiff -was fond of young men, reasonably tolerant of their ways, and knew how -to unite familiarity with dignity in his intercourse with them. But he -was specially in favor with the dominant aristocratic element. Some of -the other teachers were new men. Nobody knew who their fathers were. The -patrician young men from Rome and elsewhere declared that they _had_ -no fathers. What had the Fabii and Claudii and Scipios to do with such -people? - -Cimon and Aleph had taken seats well in the rear of the hall. So they had -opportunity to notice the bearing of the young men as they came in. On -the whole they were pleased with it. While a few had the air of triflers -and coxcombs, and here and there one had the jaded look that suggested -late hours and early dissipation, the most had in various degrees that -regulated and purposeful air which teachers like to see. Among the more -thoughtful and earnest looking Aleph noticed one of the two Romans whom -he had met at the banker’s. He also noticed that the ages of the students -seemed to average about the same as his own. - -Almost every one who entered seemed to notice the new-comers; and soon -there was considerable whispering and passing to and fro among the -young men—which continued till Seti appeared. He stopped for a moment -to exchange salutations with our friends, and then conducted them to a -seat on the right of the bema. This was the customary seat for newly -matriculated persons: and was greatly for the convenience of older -collegians who thus not only became promptly aware of a new arrival, but -could quietly study him up without the fatigue and incivility of turning -about in their seats for the purpose. Of course it was at the expense of -the lecture. But never mind—there are some things more important than -lectures to young people; and one of them is the discipline of guessing -out characters from faces and bearing. - -From the seat they now had the friends could see well what they had not -before noticed, viz., a small latticed gallery just opposite to them -from which came occasionally some hints and glints of white draperies. -Though none of the schools of the time distinctly contemplated the -co-education of the sexes, there was nothing in public opinion, -especially at Alexandria, to hinder the daughters of the professors and -other approved ladies from hearing the lectures given to the young men; -though it was thought best to place the beauties where they could not be -seen. The professors generally favored this invisible presence as being -conducive to good order and gentlemanly conduct among the students. The -chivalrous instinct was not a medieval invention, nor even an invention -of Christianity. The students at the Serapeum in the First Century knew -that bright eyes were watching them and behaved accordingly. - -The lecture of Seti was on the ethics of truthfulness. It was delivered -with a grave and quiet dignity and authority well befitting his years and -station, and yet with a subtle fire and force of thought and expression -that suited wonderfully youthful tastes. He had no manuscript before him, -nor did he seem to have one within him from which he was reading; but he -seemed to find his thoughts in the faces and eyes of his hearers as his -keen glances went to and fro among them. And the young men felt that they -were being perused. - -On the way home, the day before, Seti had informed Aleph of a custom -among the students. He had matriculated with the _Faculty_ of the -University: the students would ask him to matriculate also with -themselves. Each new-comer was not considered by them as invested with -full membership till they had examined him for themselves and settled his -grade among them as a collegian. It was possible to avoid the ordeal, if -he saw fit; but a cheerful acceptance of it would conduce to popularity, -and, if the trial should be well sustained, would give him a commanding -influence. What would Aleph prefer? Seti had asked with a shade of -anxiety in his face. - -“By all means,” Aleph had said with a smile, “let not this custom be -waived on my account. I rather fancy the double matriculation.” - -So he was not surprised when at the conclusion of the lecture all the -students retained their seats. He was, however, somewhat surprised to -see that Seti retained his also. But he had no time to speculate on -the matter: for a fine looking young man at once came forward and, -courteously calling attention to the badge the stranger wore, inquired -whether he wished such further membership and privileges among them as an -examination by the students would confer. - -Aleph rose and as courteously replied that such was his wish; and that he -would not on any account have any of the usual formalities omitted. - -“This being so,” continued the young man, “your full consent to our -ancient custom having thus been graciously conceded, I call on our -committee for testing candidates to come forward in proper order and -discharge their duty. I will only premise for your information that the -examination will ask two questions—first, _What do you know?_ and second, -_What can you do?_” - -Whereupon two young men presented themselves, and one of them said, “I -have the honor to put the first question—_What do you know?_” - -Aleph smiled. - -“Excuse my smiling,” said he, “at the exceeding largeness of your -question, if I attempt to answer it, I must begin with confessing that -my knowledge is very limited. Compared with what there is to be known, -it is practically nothing; compared with what I wish to know it is very -trifling indeed; perhaps further examination may show that it is also -very trifling in comparison with what some of my fellow-students know,” -and he bowed to the young men. A ripple of laughter went through the room. - -“If you find my associate’s question,” said the other member of the -committee, “a little too large to be manageable, perhaps you will tell us -what you already know of the various branches of knowledge preliminary -to those studied here. Doubtless you have informed yourself as to our -curriculum; it not being considered in general a wise thing to leap into -the dark.” - -“This question,” returned Aleph, “is not indeed as broad as the other; -but still it would be hard to give you a satisfactory answer (I mean -one satisfactory to yourself, for this I could wish to do) unless you -will tell me what branches of knowledge _you_ consider preparatory to -this Institution. I fancy there might be a difference of opinion as to -that matter—after setting aside a few elementary things. I can read and -write and speak the Greek and Latin languages after a fashion: have -such acquaintance with the literature in these tongues as, I should -hope, would enable me to understand such references to them as may -occur in your lectures; have also had some little practice in moral and -mathematical reasoning, sufficient, I should hope, for understanding -a good argument when presented. Is there any further preparation -needed? I have indeed heard (what I suppose to be true) that a little -knowledge of religion—some just and clear ideas of Deity and duty and -responsibility—is a good thing in the way of preparation for university -life. In regard to that sort of knowledge, I can only say that if I do -not possess it the fault does not lie with my parents or other teachers” -(he slightly inclined his head toward Cimon). “They have done their duty. -But perhaps my questioner does not lay any stress on this last sort of -knowledge as a valuable preliminary to the speculations and associations -of college life. It is even possible that he considers it a decided -disadvantage. I know that such views are sometimes found among students.” - -Aleph had drawn his bow at a venture. But the broad wave of laughter that -now swept through the hall assured him that somebody had been hit. Was it -not the questioner himself, whose color had sensibly deepened? - -His mate took up the broken thread. “Certainly we did not all come here -with as good a preparation as that: but perhaps you have done more than -the preparatory, and already know considerably of the branches of study -which engage us here. Such advanced students often come to us for various -reasons.” - -“I cannot say,” returned Aleph, “that I am altogether ignorant of -the subjects discussed here. It has been my good fortune to have as -teacher one who in his youth passed much time in both the Athenian and -Alexandrian schools. And he has attempted, not as successfully perhaps -as he could wish, to put his own knowledge into his pupil. What I know I -owe to him and my parents: what I do not know I owe to myself. Certainly -I do not come here because I know so much, but because I know so little. -I hope to enlarge my knowledge, such as it is. In thirty years not a few -changes must have taken place here—new teachers have come to the front, -new ways of presenting and illustrating old truths are used, and it is -barely possible that some things then considered branches of knowledge -are now known to be branches of ignorance. So I hope to profit. Is this -satisfactory? or would the committee like to have me explain a syllogism, -epitomize Plato or Aristotle or Zeno, or expound the astronomy of -Pythagoras?” just the glimmer of an amused expression stealing from his -eye. - -“Not either of these,” answered the committee. “Doubtless you are well -prepared on what you voluntarily offer. Allow us to ask you for something -which, as it is wholly unprecedented on such occasions as this, you can -hardly have made special preparation for. We will ask you for an epitome -of the lecture to which we have just listened. This is a compliment we -owe to our venerable teacher who, I think, has never before honored us -with his presence on a similar occasion.” - -Turning to Seti, Aleph expressed a hope that he would excuse any -injustice that might be done to his lecture under such a stress of -circumstances, and then proceeded as follows: - -“The lecture was on the ethics of truthfulness. It held up to abhorrence -the general character of a liar and hypocrite; and said that men must -tell what seems truth to them whenever they profess to tell it. In war, -hostile forces do not profess to tell the truth to each other, but the -contrary: the very fact of war certifies to all that feints, stratagems, -deceptions of all sorts will be used, and they are just as proper as war -itself. Under certain circumstances one can properly _withhold_ truth -from his neighbor without notice given. No man is bound to tell all he -knows to all sorts of persons without regard to how they will use the -information. A glass house would not be a good one to live in—especially -where stones and sinners are plenty. Silence is often both the privilege -and duty of a man, as well as his wisdom. Deity himself keeps back -much truth permanently from us, and chooses his own times and ways for -revealing other truth. In the interest of justice we can properly make -inquiries which, if their object were known, would not be answered: we -can be silent on what criminals have no right to know. In government, in -business, in social intercourse a measure of reticence is indispensable -to the wisest living, and even to righteousness. Without notice given, -one may never affirm what he thinks to be false: he may without notice -sometimes keep back what he knows to be true. These positions were -defended by considerations drawn from natural conscience, the general -voice of mankind, the testimonies of illustrious teachers, and the grave -difficulties that would arise were the world to accept and act upon other -principles.” - -Aleph folded his arms and looked inquiringly at the committee. The -committee looked inquiringly at Seti. - -“May we ask the venerable Seti whether this is a satisfactory account of -his lecture?” - -He bowed assent: and a general cheer went up from the benches. - -“I perceive,” said the master of ceremonies, “that it is the mind of -our community that I pronounce the first part of the examination well -sustained. Accordingly I so pronounce.” - -Another round of applause. - -The young man continued, addressing Aleph, “As you have doubtless -perceived, our object has been not so much to find out how much you -know as your powers of knowing. I think we have gotten sufficient light -on that point. May we get as much on the point that still remains to -be inquired into, viz., your powers of _doing_. Our community lay -considerable stress on physical accomplishments, and, we think, with good -reason. An efficient mind does its best in an efficient body. We but -follow the traditions of more classical times when we ask whether you -can run and ride and row, can leap and lift and shoot and wrestle and -fence—in short, protect your mother and sisters and such maiden as the -gods may give you.” - -“I have had some teaching in all these matters,” replied Aleph: “whether -I have duly profited by the teaching it does not become me to say.” - -“Are you willing to appear in our palæstra for a testing; and if so, do -you choose to compete with the good or the better or the best in each -department?” - -“I am willing to appear: and defeat would be less mortifying to me at the -hands of the best,” said Aleph with infinite composure. - -“But one thing remains to be attended to here,” continued Publius -Cornelius (for this was the name of the young Roman who acted as master -of ceremonies). “According to our rules, when a young man has elected -the best competitors—which indeed rarely happens—it is necessary that -he stand face to face with them in our presence, that he may fully -understand what he undertakes, and have an opportunity to recede from his -choice if he thinks best: also that we may judge whether his choice is -a reasonable one. Our best will now please present themselves with the -candidate in front of the bema.” - -A number of young men rose in different parts of the hall, and made their -way to the open space before Seti. Aleph also advanced and stood near, -facing them. - -There was a profound silence for a few moments as the confronting parties -surveyed each other, and were closely surveyed and compared by the rest -(many standing on their seats for the purpose). Then burst out an almost -deafening cheer. - -The fact was that as long as Aleph stood by himself his extraordinary -physical advantages had not fully displayed themselves. But when he came -to stand with others everybody at once saw that in that group there was -no face so noble and winning, no figure so majestic and exquisitely -proportioned, no bearing so lofty and poised and full of suggestion of -power and leadership as Aleph’s. So evident was all this to the “best” -themselves that they could not prevent the consciousness of it from -appearing in their uneasy faces and attitudes—especially after that -spontaneous cheer which they well understood. - -“Well?” inquired Cornelius, looking at Aleph. - -Aleph again passed his eyes naturally and serenely through the group -before him, resting them for an instant on one taller and brawnier than -the rest, and then said quietly, “I adhere to my choice.” - -A young man started up. “Our president has stated that we are to judge -of the reasonableness of this choice. It seems to me a very unreasonable -one. The advantages are too much on one side. Unless the gods interfere -(and somehow they are not apt to do so in these days) there can be -but one result to such an unequal competition. It is foreordained. I -therefore propose, in the interest of our Best, that the candidate be -at once passed to his matriculation with all the honors and with no -conditions whatever. This course, it is true, is unprecedented; but then -the circumstances are unprecedented. Those of us who know a good thing -when we see it, are, I think, quite prepared for this action.” - -_Action_, _Action_ was exclaimed from all parts of the hall. - -Cornelius stepped on a bench, and looking about the assembly called out, -“Is there any objection on the part of any to the course which Quintius -Fabius proposes?” - -After waiting a moment for responses that did not come, the president -proceeded, “Let every one who regards the examination as already -sufficient, and would at once admit the candidate to full membership in -our body, stretch forth his hand.” - -And _such_ a showing of hands! They flew out and up as if from a -catapult. Some voted with two hands. Some, not content with a simple -uplifting, made their hands shake and triumph in the air. Even the Best -voted with the rest. - -“Your mind is clear,” cried the president. “By your vote, and without -dissent, this gentleman is now a member in full of this university. In -your name” (as he advanced toward Aleph with outstretched hand) “I, -Publius Cornelius, offer greetings and fellowship to”—and he hesitated. - -“Aleph the Chaldean,” said Aleph, as he gracefully took the proffered -hand. - -Seti remained sitting for a while longer, keenly watching, as many -of the young men gathered about Aleph and were introduced to him by -Cornelius. Among these were the Best; who were at first somewhat backward -and awkward, but whom Aleph so welcomed with frank and unpretending -cordiality that they were soon quite at ease. Seti watched and admired. -He saw that the young man had quite won those who might easily have -become his enemies—in short had fairly conquered the position he had -coveted for him. - -Aleph lingered till the other students had left that he might inquire of -Seti whether he had heard from Miriam that morning. He had not; but was -not sure but that he might hear something by going to his rooms. Would -not Aleph and his friend accompany him? - -As they approached the apartments of the high-priest they saw before -them in the distance what seemed the fluttering of female robes: and, as -soon as Seti had opened his door, he found himself in the arms of his -granddaughter. - -“Mother-father” (this was her favorite style of address), she exclaimed, -looking up fondly into his face, “are you not very tired after such a -long session? But what a good lecture that was, and then....” - -“Ah, child,” he hastily interrupted as he patted her cheek, “what a -flatterer you are! Why not begin to practice on my lecture by telling -me the truth? Tired! Antiquity is never tired. The tired ones are your -moderns—such young men as you may see behind me.” - -Cimon was surprised at the magnificent beauty that now disengaged herself -from the arms of Seti and stood blushing before them. Aleph had indeed -spoken of her as beautiful, but with no particularity and effusion: and -so he was not prepared for the lovely vision. It seemed to him for a -moment as if he had before him one of the Hellenic goddesses—a sort of -compound of Aphrodite and Athene and Artemis. As to Aleph—such a look of -glad recognition sprang to his face at the unexpected meeting that she -could not but notice it. It gave her courage to advance and give her hand -to Cimon, saying, “The daughter of Alexander gratefully remembers our -friend of the Diapleuston”—to then turn to Aleph with a welcoming look -and a new flush on her cheek as she said, “You see one has to make much -of her grandfather, especially when she has but one. Perhaps you, too, -have a mother-father and know how good it is to have him.” - -“The lady has guessed rightly,” returned the young man. “The last thing -I did when leaving my country was to bow my tearful face on the shoulder -of a white-haired man whose form was not bent, nor eye dim, nor natural -force abated, though he had long passed his century; and who laid his -hand on my head and sent me away with the blessing of a grand sire. God -willing, I shall see him again. The mother-fathers of Chaldea live long.” - -“May the God of Chaldean Abraham grant it,” said the maiden devoutly. - -“And grant also that I may carry back to him the news he has so long -waited for—that the Desire of all nations has at last come!” - -“Amen,” said Rachel; “and, according to my promise, I have something new -to tell you touching that matter. So come with me, all of you—I mean -_you_, mother-father,” and she threw a graceful gesture at Seti as she -led the way to seats near a window. - -While the young people had been talking, Seti, with folded arms, had kept -his eyes fastened on them as if by some irresistible attraction. Rousing -himself at the call of Rachel, he said to Cimon with a smile, “In these -days the Egyptian is in bondage to Israel,” and added as he closed the -door and followed, “and is not very discontented—certainly not enough to -make an exodus.” - -When they were seated, Rachel said to Aleph, “I promised that if I -obtained any new facts about Jesus I would communicate them to you. And -this is what I have heard this morning.” - -She then proceeded to say that on her way to the Serapeum she had seen -Miriam, found that her husband had not appeared, found that she had -improved so much that she was able to tell her sad story since her -marriage. She had first gone with her husband to Tyre, where he professed -to have property. After a few days he removed her to a small house near -the city. This was the first of a succession of removals east and south. -They never stopped long in a place—never lived in any but the poorest -and obscurest part of a place. She never knew her husband do any work, -or seek for any. She often wondered at first how he obtained such scanty -and irregular supplies as they had. Once when she asked him about the -matter, he said that he was living on his property; and accompanied -the information with such a storm of abuse that she never after dared -to refer to the subject. She did not need to do so. He was abroad much -at night; and she noticed that when abroad during the day he shunned -thoroughfares, and sometimes disguised himself. Moreover, the men whom -he brought to the house were of the lowest sort, and she could not well -avoid overhearing enough of their talk to assure her that they agreed in -thinking that property was robbery and might be taken wherever it could -be found. After the first few weeks he cast off all semblance of regard -for her. He would often leave her for weeks without any means of support; -and had it not been for the compassion of the poor people about her she -would have starved. As it was, her suffering from exposure, privation, -and remorse reduced her almost to a skeleton. Ah, what days those were! -She shuddered when she spoke of them. Such wretched living as they had -was gotten by robbery, and sometimes by murder. He no longer pretended -the contrary. She came to know that their frequent changes of place were -made necessary by his crimes. As soon as he found himself an object of -suspicion, he went to a new place and there repeated his thefts and -burglaries until his safety required him to move on. In this way they -slowly drifted from the Phenician coast to the Sea of Galilee. - -She now thinks that she could not have lived through that awful -pilgrimage had it not been for one thing. Wherever she went she met with -poor people who had been cured of some incurable ail by the new prophet -Jesus—cured by a touch or a word. Sometimes it was a palsy, sometimes -consumption, sometimes leprosy, sometimes blindness or deafness or a lost -limb, sometimes devils or death. And he asked nothing in return for such -wonderful deliverances. Of course all mouths were full of his praises. -They told of his gentle and compassionate ways; how he did not disdain -publicans and sinners, saying that he came to seek and save the lost: how -he took little children in his arms and caressed and blessed them; how -patiently and wisely and wonderfully he taught the humblest as well as -the highest—told of such things till her heart burned and ached to see -him, to be near him, to pour out her oppressed soul into his pitiful ears. - -At last her wish was accomplished. One day, while they were living -at Chorasin, after some new tempest of abuse and wickedness from her -husband, she slipped away into the fields to give vent to her grief and -despair. There she saw in the distance a number of people on an eminence: -and, on mounting a rock, she saw that others were moving toward the -eminence from all directions. It flashed upon her that perhaps Jesus -had come, and that now was her opportunity. She at once made for the -hill—determined that if indeed Jesus was there she would get as near -to him as possible. She felt as if some mighty loadstone was drawing -upon her. Being unencumbered, she sped along quickly, passed many who -were carrying sick people or were sick themselves, and was not long in -assuring herself that it was indeed Jesus toward whom all the streams of -infirmity and suffering were setting. - -She quickened her steps into a desperate haste. She flew rather than -ran—flew to the side of the hill where the people were fewest, pressed -through them as if on an errand of life and death, saw one who was -plainly the central figure, fell down before him panting, disheveled, -eyes streaming, and tried to look up through her tears into his face. And -she dimly saw there such gentleness, such pity, such insight, such power, -that a great wave of rest swept in on her soul as she murmured, _Lord, -thou knowest_. And he answered, in a voice strangely sweet, that somehow -seemed to penetrate every fibre of her being. - -“Yes, I know, thou daughter of many sorrows. Wait patiently for the hour -of deliverance which will come in thy own country by the hands of those -whom I will send. Meanwhile go in peace—thy sins be forgiven thee.” - -She rose—all the harshness and bitterness of her soul gone, a calmness -and strength and peace within that were indescribable. She did not -withdraw from the scene; only fell back among the crowd. And there she -saw with her own eyes the wonderful things done of which she had been -hearing ever since she landed in Tyre. It seemed as if the whole country -about had searched out its desperate cases and brought them together to -test his power and pity. And she saw that no case was beyond him. Not -an ail in all the throng but had instant relief as he touched or spoke. -The number and variety of the miracles almost took her breath away. When -the last sufferer had been helped she could no longer contain herself, -but, as if filled and pressed irresistibly by a heavenly breath, burst -forth with song, “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he has done marvellous -things:” and all the people joined their voices to hers till the country -side rang. - -She went back to her husband, but not to her misery. The memory of that -look, and that voice, and that promise was like a strong man under her -cross. Her husband was no better; they still drifted from place to place, -but always with a compulsion by circumstances toward the south and west. -Her strength grew less as they approached the seacoast, and quite broke -down at Joppa as she saw her husband, as he was hurrying her aboard a -vessel for Alexandria in the night, rob and kill a man; yet even then the -memory of that divine hour in Galilee was a mighty peace in her heart, -and she felt that she was on her way to deliverance. - -Said Seti to Rachel, after the few moments of profound silence that -followed her narrative, “Did you ever notice in Miriam in former days any -tendency to—exaggeration?” - -“Never,” she replied. “On the contrary, Miriam was noted for great care -not to overstate facts. You may depend upon it, grandfather, she is fully -up to the standard of your lecture.” - -Seti seemed not to notice this sally, and the accompanying shadow of a -smile that flitted across the shining face, but said, “To say nothing of -his marvellous deeds, the attention which Jesus pays to the lowly and -uninfluential, rather than to the great and powerful, is very unlike what -one would expect in a scheming impostor.” - -“That he is not that,” said Aleph, “is still further confirmed by what my -preceptor and friend here heard yesterday. I am sure you will agree with -me if he will tell the substance of what Shaphan of the gate of Canopus -related.” - -All wished to hear. So Cimon proceeded to relate the story of -Shaphan—omitting, however, the circumstances bearing on Malus, and one or -two other particulars. - -When he had finished, Rachel exclaimed, “How wonderful all this is! -Surely there is but one thing to be said, unless we are prepared to -discredit all human testimony! I have heard my father speak of Shaphan as -a very good man: I must see him and ask him many questions.” - -“Would it not be better,” said Seti, “to first question some expert -magician as to what he can do by his art? It is not incredible that -there should be beings between the Supreme and ourselves who can do very -wonderful things.” - -“No, my dear grandfather; but if these superior beings are good they will -not lend themselves to a great religious imposture; and if they are bad -they would fight against themselves by endorsing such teaching and doing -such works as those of Jesus. Would Satan cast out Satan?” - -“Hardly. Still, have not magicians sometimes been good men? Perhaps our -friends here can throw some light on that matter. Time has been when -Chaldea was famous for its magicians”—and Seti looked toward Aleph. - -“In my country, as in Egypt,” said Aleph, “the name magicians has always -been used to cover all students of extensive knowledge, especially all -students of the powers and processes of Nature. As to such persons as -profess by certain arts to enlist the powers of mightier spirits in their -service there is, at least at present, but one opinion among us, and -that a very unfavorable one. It is that of the Hebrew Scriptures which -denounce and forbid all magical arts under heavy penalties. However it -may be with others, those who profess to accept these Scriptures and at -the same time use magical arts, it seems to me, cannot be good men, or -other than very bad. This is the case of Jesus. As I understand it, he -professes to hold faithfully by Moses and the prophets. This being so, if -he is a magician he is one of the worst of men—especially as he solemnly -declares that he works his wonders not by magic, but by God.” - -“And consequently,” added Cimon, “all evidence we have that he is one of -the best of men is evidence that he is not a magician.” - -“And what evidence of this sort have we?” asked Seti. - -“At least we can say,” returned the Greek, “that no evidence _against_ -Jesus has yet reached us, while we have heard much for him. We have -heard that his miracles are wholly beneficent and his teachings wholly -righteous; and that the worst thing his enemies can say of him is that he -does the very thing the prophets said the Christ would do, viz., stoop -to the humblest while claiming with the highest. For myself, I would -also lay considerable stress on the impression which the mere personal -presence of Jesus makes on such a man as Shaphan. It is plain to me that -this man would profoundly believe in the worth of Jesus, even if he had -not seen a single miracle of his, nor heard from him a single word. Is -this unreasonable? Two or three times in the course of my life, I have -been similarly impressed—I have had merely to look into the eye and -watch for a few moments the play of the features to get an immovable -confidence in the character that lay behind them. Ordinary goodness, -I confess, does not manifest itself in this royal way; nor does -extraordinary, except under certain physical organizations; but there -_are_ organizations through which it is self-revealing—through which it -looks forth as through pure crystal and shines by its own light, as does -any mathematical axiom—through which it is able to put forth a heavenly -atmosphere into which at least a sympathetic soul cannot enter without -feeling its heavenly character.” - -“So it seems to me,” said Seti. “I, too, have met a case or two of that -sort.” - -“The venerable Seti,” said Aleph; “has doubtless met with many so-called -magicians in this land of the strange and mysterious. May I ask whether -he has ever met one who has _claimed_ to do his prodigies through the -Supreme God, or to do them in such vast variety and magnificence as are -conceded to Jesus?” - -“Certainly not,” answered the Egyptian; “and I am quite sure that if we -could get together all the professors of the magical art that are or have -been, they could not, all together, make out such a list of wonders as is -conceded to Jesus.” - -“I would also ask of the venerable Seti,” continued Aleph, “if he will -not express his views more fully as to the suggestion of the lady Rachel, -viz., that it is incredible that bad spirits of vast intelligence would -lend their powers to give currency and authority to a system of teaching -whose whole stress they must see to be to defeat and destroy their -influence.” - -“It _is_ incredible. She only needs to show that the teaching of Jesus is -plainly and thoroughly against the feelings and objects of evil spirits.” - -“Why, my dear grandfather, all the accounts agree that Jesus teaches -altogether in the line of our Scriptures, though with new fullness and -illustrations—and no one knows better than you how holy the teachings of -our Sacred Books are—exposing the devices of Satan, denouncing him and -all his works, calling to watchfulness and prayer against him, rebuking -and casting out his demons, assailing the very foundation of his kingdom -in disloyalty to God, binding our consciences to a perpetual war on sin -in both life and heart, threatening it with the terrors of an avenging -heaven.” - -Seti inclined his head gravely toward the maiden, whose earnestness was -now glowing in her face and adding to it new charms, but was silent. - -“The lady has expressed my thought,” said Cimon. “It used to be a part -of the Roman law, and I presume is so still, that when a man is accused -of doing what would neither suit his passions nor his interests, the -accusation may be dismissed at once. It is incredible. Neither men nor -devils act against all motive.” - -“Now, great teacher,” cried Rachel, “it is time to sum up, as you do -sometimes in your lectures; and (she brightly shook her finger at Seti) -be careful to sum up on the right side.” - -“Which of course means _your_ side,” said the Egyptian, with a slight -lifting of his eyebrows.... Well, how will this please you? - -“Jesus, it is universally conceded, has done many things far beyond mere -human power: he claims for them a divine origin: they are worthy of such -an origin in the grandeur and beneficence of their character: such an -origin agrees with certain ancient predictions apparently relating to -these times: unless they have such an origin, neither had the miracles of -Moses and the other prophets; and indeed it seems impossible for God to -furnish reliable credentials to any messenger; for, so far as we can see, -his credentials must be miracles and could not well be greater miracles -than Jesus has wrought: unless they have a divine origin they are -demoniacal—which is wholly inconsistent with the apparent (say certain) -character of Jesus and also with his teachings, which are such as no -evil spirit could reasonably be supposed willing to promote.... Is this -satisfactory?”—turning to Rachel. - -“I think you could do better; but that will do—will do very well for the -present,” she returned smiling; “especially as you have gratuitously -supplied some missing links to the chain. Go on, O illustrious house of -Seti and heir of all the Pharaohs, I have great hopes of you yet.” - -“You see, gentlemen,” said Seti, “what comes of teaching our daughters to -know and argue like other people. As soon as we furnish them with arms -they turn them against us. And this they call gratitude!” - -“But,” he added gravely, seeing Cimon rising to take leave, “if your -affairs now call you away I wish to make an inquiry of you—if you will -step this way.” - -Cimon followed him to a distant part of the room. - -After a little hesitation, Aleph said to Rachel, “Your grandfather has -surprised me very much in this conversation. From the position he holds I -should have thought such views on his part impossible.” - -“There is a mystery about the matter, I confess,” replied the maiden; -“but then this is not the only righteous mystery in Alexandria -to-day”—and her eyes laughed into his in a very wonderful way. - -“Let us hope,” said he with an answering gleam from eyes quite as -wonderful though mysteriously different, “that they both will clear up -satisfactorily in due time, as the mystery of Jesus seems to be doing. I -am grateful to you for what I have heard to-day. But I would be glad to -speak with Miriam myself. Do you think she will be strong enough to bear -another talk to-day?” - -“Perhaps so. I return to her as soon as my sedan comes; and if you will -accompany me we will see what she is equal to. If you do not object, I -wish to be present when you question her.” - -“That would be delightful to me (and a new light sprang to his eyes as he -said it)—especially since I have come to know that you have mind as well -as beauty, and can inquire and reason with the best.” - -He said this as if half soliloquizing, and with such an air of glad -heartiness that she at once felt that the words had in them nothing of -the emptiness of mere compliment. - -She hastened to say timidly, “If we find that she is not able to talk -with us to-day, we can arrange to see her to-morrow when she is fresh. -Perhaps, too, she will then be able to bear removal to our house -and—could I count on your aid in transferring her, for my brothers are -away and my father has gone to Rome?” - -“How gladly I agree to this the lady Rachel, I trust, already knows. At -the same time, I must confess, I have some doubt as to what the morrow -may bring to me; and so I would fain do as much as I can to-day.” - -“You do not mean—I trust you do not mean _danger_?” and she looked -anxiously at him. - -Before he could answer a knock was heard at the door and a servant -entered to say that the sedan of the lady was waiting at the gate. Rachel -hastily prepared for the street. Going to Seti, who now stood by the -door, she kissed him and—stood embarrassed. - -“Well, what is it, my Gem of Alexandria?” said Seti. “What can we do for -you? Do you want the old man to send you off with a formal blessing? The -blessing of a heathen is not worth very much.” - -“You are no heathen,” rejoined the maiden; “and I have already a great -store of your blessings carefully laid up at home among my treasures. -Give your blessing to-day to these friends of ours who, I fear, are -in danger, and who have deserved well at our hands. You are wise and -powerful—protect them, or you and I will have to part company. I hate -ingratitude”—and she shook her finger at him. - -“By the way,” she added, “do you think that so valuable a jewel as the -Gem of Alexandria ought to pass along the street without an escort?” - -“I was about to offer the lady my escort on her way as far as Miriam, -whom I wished to question: but it seems that I am a person who himself -needs protection,” said Aleph with a smile. - -“Judging from what we have seen, Aleph the Chaldean is remarkably well -qualified to protect himself, to say nothing of others,” said Seti with -great composure. - -“Yes, against a fair enemy,” protested the maiden; “but against others -one needs all the help he can get from both earth and heaven. What I want -of you, grandfather, is to see that earth does its part. If you do not, -I promise you that you shall see how a woman can bestir herself.” - -“Just as if Seti needed all this eloquence, child!” he said reproachfully. - -“Mother-father, I am ashamed of myself. I know that you mean nobly. -But then you men are so manly that you are not so quick as a woman -at divining the presence of danger, though far better at meeting it -when discovered. At least, so I am told; and I shall not deny it till -necessary. So forgive me, and—do as I say.” - -“I am not sure,” said the Egyptian thoughtfully, “but that both of you -are right. If Rachel must return by way of Miriam an escort may be a -protection to her, as Antis is capable of the worst; and to be seen in -the streets with the daughter of Alexander may in the end be a protection -to Aleph the Chaldean, for it will show whom it may concern that he is -not without friends. So go, you two—but I will ask our friend Cimon to -remain a while longer.” - - - - -VIII. - -THE ESCORT. - - Ουδ’ αλλο δυσφύλακτον ούδὲν ώς γυνή. - - —_Anon._ - - _Nothing is so hard to guard as a woman._ - - 1. Twin serpents from Tenedos. - 2. News from Galilee. - 3. An escort dealing with escorts. - 4. Home at last. - - - - -VIII. - -THE ESCORT. - - -In going to the Serapeum, our friends had noticed near the gate of the -khan the Cretan who, as agent for Malus, had dealt with the Phenician -dealer in dyes. They recognized him readily, though he turned hastily -away as they approached him. The _catspaw of Malus!_ they both thought; -and would perhaps have thought no more of it had not—— - -But, on going a little farther, whom should they see but Malus himself -coming toward them! They could not be mistaken—the same obese figure, -the same waddling gait, the same wooden face and gimlet eyes. He stopped -almost immediately at a fruiterer’s stall, and seemed busy in selecting -some fruit as they passed. After they had passed he turned and watched -them. They did not turn to notice the fact, but they knew it all the -same—knew that Malus had tracked them to their quarters and made sure of -a close connection between them. - -When Aleph came out with Rachel to her sedan, he very naturally looked -about to see if he was still under surveillance. But he saw only the -porters of the rich conveyance that waited for the daughter of Alexander. -Nor did he, on the way to Miriam’s, as he walked by the side of the chair -and occasionally exchanged a word with its inmate, observe anything but -that courteous general observation which a very distinguished looking man -in honorable attendance on a great lady might be expected to draw. - -There was one interruption on the way—a pleasant one. Rachel, through -her curtains, happening to descry Shaphan at a distance, stopped her -bearers and begged Aleph to beckon the Jew to them. He promptly crossed -the street. The lady gave him her hand and said that she had been hearing -with great interest the story of his visit to Judea, but wished to hear -it again at first hand. Could he not go with them a short distance to -where her nurse lived and there gratify her? He could: in fact, his -brother, who had just returned from Judea, and himself were even now -returning from the Egyptian khan near the Serapeum, whither they had gone -for the purpose of seeing the young Chaldean (he bowed to Aleph) and his -friend, and communicating some new information about the Messiah. - -Aleph expressed his gratification at the meeting, and warmly seconded the -lady’s request. So Shaphan beckoned to his brother, and the two followed -the chair to the house of Miriam. - -They found the door guarded by a stout servant of Alexander, and by bars -still stouter. It appeared that Antis had lately been there, demanded -admittance, and, on being refused, had become violent, tried to break -open the door, and finally had gone away threatening to return shortly -with authority and force that could not be resisted. - -Aleph suggested that the sedan be brought within the house. Should -violence be used it might be well to add the porters to the resisting -force. - -They found that Miriam had been so agitated by the attempt of her husband -that she was unfit for the further conversation that Aleph desired. But -with so many friends now about her she was in a restful state; and when -Rachel proposed that, if it would not tire her too much, Shaphan and his -brother should give an account of their visit to Palestine and Jesus, she -declared that she could well endure it. Indeed, it would strengthen her. -To hear of Jesus again would be as cool water to a thirsty soul. - -So Shaphan told again the story with which we are already familiar—told -it, however, with omission of the part relating to Malus; for Aleph had -suggested that all the servants, excepting the door-keeper, should be -present at the recital. “This was a matter that concerned everybody.” - -When Shaphan had finished, his brother Nathan added substantially the -following account: - -After the departure of his brother, he had remained a few days longer -with Jesus, listening to his teaching and seeing further examples of his -wonderful power. Two of these examples were specially impressive. - -One day, as the night drew on, Jesus, who had been teaching the people -from a boat belonging to his disciples, was overheard saying to them, -_Let us go over to the other side_. Whereupon they put out into the lake -and headed for Gadara. Some of his hearers, of whom Nathan was one, -hating to part company with him for even a short time, immediately sprang -into another boat and followed. Soon the night shut down—one of the -blackest nights ever known. Jesus’ boat could no longer be seen. Suddenly -the wind rose into a gale. It wrestled with the sea like a giant; and -the sea rose in its wrath and wrestled back again with a mighty outcry. -For a moment they would lie breathless in each other’s arms; and then, -reviving, fling themselves madly at each other in mortal duel. It was -an awful scene. It seemed as if all the demons were abroad. The waters -which, when they embarked, were almost without discernible wrinkle, were -now furrowed into mighty chasms by the plow of the storm king. Up went -the little boat to heaven on the thundering billow; down it went into -a hell of waters as thunderous. The watery monsters shook their white -manes and lashed their black sides and leaped at and over their prey with -open jaws. They laughed to scorn oar and rudder and seamanship. They -shouted, and howled and shrieked, and seemed to swear by the Eternal to -the helpless crew, “We have you now; nothing can save you; to-morrow your -corpses will be drifting silently about; no, nothing can save you, not -even the mighty Christ.” Such blaspheming, frantic, frightful madhouse -of the elements—who ever saw the like! Not Nathan and his companions. -It seemed to them as if hell had emptied itself on the sea of Galilee; -and that all the fiends, astride of whirlwinds and crested billows, were -fiercely battling together for the privilege of drowning every living -thing. They struggled. They prayed. They were in despair. Drenched, -rudderless, oarless, they clung to the sides of the fast filling boat -in a paroxysm of horror and helplessness. In a few moments all would be -over. They commended their souls to God. - -What noise was that? Off at their right, hidden in the darkness, -evidently was another crew of affrighted and sinking men, crying out in -their extremity. Can they be Jesus and his disciples? Are they too in -the very jaws of death? Cannot he who has done such great things manage -to save his own, to save himself? Or are these raging, howling elements a -field to which his power does not extend? Such thoughts flashed through -the mind of Nathan even as he seemed on the point of being swallowed up. -But just then he distinctly heard (for the boats had neared each other) -a distressful voice which he recognized as that of one of the disciples, -exclaiming, _Lord, save us, we perish!_ - -“Can he do it? If so, why has he not interfered before? Why permit -such a horrible fright to his friends? No, he cannot do it. Jesus has -at last found his master. There seems the exultation of conscious -omnipotence and universal mastery in the leapings and thunderings of this -hurricane-tossed sea!” - -Such thoughts rushed upon Nathan as fiercely as the tempest itself—as if -Satan himself were riding the storm and dashing them into his face with -the spray and foam. - -Still he was all ear for what might follow that cry for help. Clinging to -the side of the boat with both hands, he kept his face set toward where -the other boat seemed to be, and almost stilled his heart-beat as he -listened. It seemed as if his soul had gone to his ears, and was leaning -forth, as men sometimes do from a casement, to catch the faintest word -that might come from the Master in answer to the despairing cry of his -followers. And there came—a faint ripple of speech, a shadow or ghost of -articulate sound almost lost amid the deafening and majestic outcries -of the storm? No. A wailing prayer for help to One above the clouds? -No. A quavering, hesitating voice as of one doubtful of himself and of -the issue? No. The voice that came was so clear, so penetrating, so -dominant among the wild noises of the storm, so full of calm decision -and unquestionable authority and sovereign forces, that one felt sure in -advance of what the result would be. - -PEACE—BE STILL! - -No sooner had these words gone forth on the wrestling, roaring winds than -they fell dead in full career. No sooner had these words gone forth on -the wrestling, roaring billows that went charging against the sky with -their crested battalions than they sank in their places as sinks the ox -when smitten on the forehead by the axe of some mighty man. And there -was a great calm. Hardly a ripple was left in sea or air. What a sudden -silence! In an instant the demons of the storm had not only taken flight, -but were already beyond hearing and sight. And, looking up, Nathan and -his companions saw that even the clouds had wholly fled, and left the -stars looking down on them as peacefully as if nothing had happened, -or ever would happen again. And off, a little way, the starlight was -softly shimmering on a summer sea, on gently plashing oars, on a boat and -boatmen, and in the stern on the eminent form of Him who had now shown -himself King of Nature as well as King of men. - -Nathan and his companions reached the shore very soon after Jesus. They -had scarcely landed and joined him when, from one of the cave-tombs -that skirt the shore, there rushed toward them a figure that seemed -scarcely human. He came as if driven by the tempest that had just -maddened the lake. He was himself a tempest of the most frightful kind—as -appeared when he drew near. He was quite naked. His face and body were -covered with scars and filth and fresh blood. In his hands he carried -sharp stones, with which he beat and cut himself as he shrieked and -ran. His long hair streamed in the wind and seemed like a cluster of -flying serpents biting at his brain. And when he came near—ah, what an -expression in those fiery eyes and tormented features! It was as if hell -itself, with all its fiendishness and misery, had been condensed into -that awful face. Nathan had seen not a few demoniacs before, but never -such a specimen as this. The very recollection made him shudder. The -possibility of such suffering and such wickedness as were pictured in -that face had never before entered his mind. - -The man came directly toward Jesus with frantic leaps and cries, as if -to destroy him—as he seemed well able to do; such were the wonderful -activity and strength he displayed. But Jesus, standing a little in -advance of his disciples, calmly awaited the coming. His face was another -wonder to see. It was sublime—it was divine. Such unutterable calm, such -boundless pity, such inexhaustible resources of force and authority and -sovereignty spoke in every feature that Nathan could not but say to -himself, LO, GOD IS HERE. - -The monster sank on his knees under the spell of that divine -gaze—uttering a fearful cry as of many voices crushed into one. - -“What is thy name?” said Jesus. - -And through the parted but unmoving lips of the madman, and as if from -deep within, came a mystery of speech that said: - -“My name is Legion, for we are many. What have we to do with thee, thou -Son of God most High? Art thou come hither to torment us before the time? -If thou cast us out, suffer us to go into yonder herd of swine.” - -Jesus said, _Go!_ - -Promptly at the word, the crowd of evil spirits that had captured that -body, bound its inhabitant, and seized the reins of power, fled headlong. -Nathan knew it from the mighty change that at once flashed over the -demoniac. The monster became a man. The face just now terrible with the -lightnings of hellish passions, more terrible than the storm on the Sea -of Galilee or any other sea, suddenly became a new face—transformed -almost beyond recognition into repose, sanity, sweetness, joy. Nathan -was astonished at the transfiguration. He could not help crying out, -_Glory to God!_ and his heart cried louder than his lips. He had seen -dispossessions before; and they were delightful things to see. But he had -never before seen a man delivered from an entire synagogue of devils, -from the Nemesis of a whole army of evil spirits. That was a deliverance -past speech. That was an exodus to bring out the sun in the face of a man. - -The man was saved, but the swine were lost. For the whole herd of about -two thousand, just now stolidly feeding along the steep bank, pricked up -their ears, stood snuffing the air, and then, as if possessed by as many -whirlwinds, rushed headlong down the steep into the lake and perished. -The disciples understood the judgment as well as the mercy. Those swine, -kept contrary to the law, and serving as a standing defiance of the law -through all that region, were felt to have been justly confiscated. -But the owners were naturally sore at the loss of their property, and -others were afraid of like losses; and so they persuaded the people of -the district to go in a body to Jesus and beg him to leave. The people -did it—though they saw the man who had been the terror of the whole -country-side sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. -Strange infatuation! The people themselves were possessed. The evil -spirits that had forsaken the man, and forsaken the swine, had entered -into _them_—as a legion of fools. Jesus did not refuse their suicidal -request. So the two boats immediately returned to Capernaum. - -This ended Nathan’s visit to Jesus. He left the same day for Egypt—left -with stronger faith than ever in Jesus as the Messiah. The absence of all -the usual magical preparations for his wonders, the exceeding magnitude -and variety of them, the magnificent ease with which they were performed, -the fearless manner in which they were exposed to the blaze of public -observation, the universal consent to their reality on the part of even -his worst enemies, the plain antagonism of his whole teaching to the idea -that they were of Satanic origin, together with the sovereign and divine -expression that reigned in his mien while doing them, seemed conclusive. -It seemed impossible for any fair-minded man to look into that face and -watch its expressions without getting the impression of unutterable -genuineness and goodness. He could doubt neither the reality nor the -divine origin of the miracles of Jesus. - -But, somehow, the people at large were not impressed as he was. They -were getting used to the wonderful works. And the leaders of the people -were industriously encouraging the idea of a Satanic agency in them—and -with growing success. About the Sea of Galilee, where most of his mighty -works are done, Jesus has very few who believe in him. He does not -conform to the current notion of what the Messiah should be. He gives -no encouragement to political unrest; he makes no attempt to form a -political party, collects no military stores, gathers no army, assumes -no state. He seems to aim at no worldly grandeur for himself or nation. -He has even been understood to say that rejection and suffering and even -death await him—that, in short, his kingdom is not of this world. This is -very unsatisfactory to the people at large. If he would only proclaim a -temporal kingdom, set up the standard of revolt against Rome, and summon -the people to rally about it, no doubt they would rush to him at once. -But as it is, they will go from him. So it seemed to Nathan as he watched -the people; and so it seemed to him it would be as he read the prophets. -The more he studied them the more inclined was he to think that they had -been misunderstood. - -“I think very much as you do,” said Aleph, “and shall not be at all -surprised if Jesus the Messiah should prove a Sacrifice as well as a -king. King he certainly is—king of devils, king of diseases, king of the -elements, king of teachers——” - -Here he was interrupted by the door-keeper, who came to say that through -the eyelet of the door he could see Antis approaching with what seemed a -police force. - -“Oh, do not let him enter,” exclaimed Miriam in great distress; “if he -enters I shall die. You do not know all I know.” And she raised herself -in the bed and wrung her hands in an agony of apprehension. - -“Do not disturb yourself,” said Aleph calmly. “Though we do not know all, -we know enough. But Jesus knew it all, and you have his promise. Trust -it and reserve such strength as you have till it is needed. We will not -desert you.” - -A violent blow on the street-door was now heard. - -“I will go to the door,” said Aleph, “and if I need any help you will -discover it, as I will leave the passage open so that you can hear what -is passing.” - -Taking his cane, he proceeded to the door; and, bidding the door-keeper -undo the fastenings, he suddenly set the door widely open and stood in -its place. - -This was unexpected. Antis was just in the act of repeating his blow on -the door, but suddenly finding himself confronted by a formidable looking -man instead of a door, he stepped hastily backward. - -“What do you seek,” demanded Aleph, fixing on the man a stern eye, “that -you knock in so unbecoming a manner?” - -“I seek the possession of my own house,” said the fellow sullenly. - -“Are you the owner of this house? I think you will hardly venture to -claim that.” - -“I claim that I have purchased the right of an owner, so far as occupying -this house is concerned, for one month, and that it is the will of the -owner that I have possession at once.” - -“Show me that such is the will of the owner.” - -Antis produced a paper and handed it to Aleph. - -After reading it, Aleph said, “It seems that this house belongs to -Malus, and that he wishes it transferred to you, and that he has sent -this police force which I see behind you to enforce his wishes, if -necessary.—Are you the captain of this force?” he added, looking at a man -who stood a few steps behind Antis. - -“I am,” he said. - -“In ordinary cases,” said Aleph slowly, as he surveyed the man—“in -ordinary cases we should be warranted in putting you in immediate -possession; but this case is extraordinary—so extraordinary that we -have a right to presume that neither Malus nor the chief of the police -understood the circumstances when they gave the order just shown me.” - -“We have no discretion,” said the captain. “We are sent here to put this -man in possession, not to judge of the righteousness of it.” - -“Do you mean to say that if you should see reason to believe that your -force of some six men is quite insufficient to accomplish your object, -you would not be at liberty to return to your superiors for further -instructions? Are you not expected to use discretion in judging whether -such is the case?” - -“Certainly: but such does not appear to be the present case,” said the -officer with a chuckle. - -Without noticing the manner of the man, Aleph went on, “Do you mean to -say that if you should see grave reason to fear that this man in whose -behalf you are interfering would use the house to waylay and murder Malus -and your chief, you would not be warranted in at least returning for -further instructions?” - -“Well—in such a case as you suppose, I should of course return: but this -is not such a case, nor anything like it,” said the man doggedly. - -“Very considerably like it: for I shall show you grave reason to fear -that this man” (he pointed his finger at Antis) “is capable of doing all -that and worse—that he is a desperado of the worst sort, and——” - -Here Antis broke in, screaming out, “IT IS FALSE! IT IS FALSE!” - -Aleph fixed on him eyes that blazed calmly into his for a moment, and -then said sternly, “You know it is _true_, you ruffian. It is written in -your face for everybody to see. And everybody sees it. If you want to be -taken for anything less than a desperado, wear a mask over your tell-tale -face. So do not interrupt me again;” and he gave him another look so full -of insight and authority and menace, and at the same time of a certain -pitying wonder (as the man who walks easily finds it hard to realize that -anybody else is lame, so the good man finds it hard to understand how -anybody can be a villain), that he dropped his eyes, grew pale and red by -turns, and made no further attempt to speak. - -Aleph resumed, turning again to the captain: “I was saying that I would -show you grave reason for thinking this man a desperado of the worst -kind; that he is a robber and murderer by profession; that if put in -possession of this house he will make it a den of thieves and murderers. -He is strongly suspected of designs on the life of his sick wife, who for -some days has been in a critical condition, and whom he has long abused. -It is for such reasons that her friends have excluded him from the house. -Do you suppose that your principals, if responsibly informed of these -facts, would persist in wishing you to hand over these premises and the -sick woman to such a man?” - -“I admit,” answered the officer, “that if you can show that he is such a -dangerous character, and that putting him in possession will endanger the -public as well as the sick woman, or even can show that this is so in the -opinion of responsible parties, I ought to return and report the fact to -my superiors. Who are the persons who make these charges?” - -“His wife, supported by Seti, the Egyptian high-priest, the lady Rachel, -daughter of the Alabarch, and myself, a member of the University.” - -The captain had for some time appeared uneasy. He now folded his arms, -shifted repeatedly from one foot to another, fumbled aimlessly with the -short sword at his side. Aleph watched him narrowly; and at length said -with a grave irony of tone: - -“Perhaps you do not consider Seti and the Alabarch as responsible -parties!” - -But immediately changing his tone and raising his voice, he added, “I -call to witness both those before me in the street and those behind me -in the house” (half turning as he spoke, he became aware that he had -already been followed into the passage by all his friends), “that I -have repeatedly informed this officer that this house has been occupied -by parties whose responsibility it were absurd to question, for the -sole purpose of preventing its becoming a danger to life and a public -nuisance, and that if he puts it into the possession of this man he -will, in their opinion, imperil the lives and property of the people of -Alexandria. I wish you all to distinctly notice this. Take notice, also, -that we do not propose to resist the law—only to retain possession till -the law can be properly informed of facts that were unknown to it at the -time its order was given. And so our very moderate request is that this -officer return to headquarters, report what he has heard, and ask for new -instructions. If the officials then repeat their order, it will be with -full knowledge of the responsibility they are incurring, and they can -properly be held to account for all the consequences: and this must be -a very serious account unless the laws and public opinion of Alexandria -differ very considerably from those of Heaven.” - -“It is he of the Diapleuston!” cried a voice from the street. “Give him a -cheer!” - -And a great cheer there was; for though the street was a retired one, -quite a body of spectators had gathered one by one behind the police -and were watching the conference with lively interest. They now showed -audibly on which side their partialities had settled. That cry, _It is -he of the Diapleuston_, opened their mouths, and opened them widely. -But, long before they had chosen their side, Antis made a very sorry -appearance over against Aleph; and as the citizens watched the lofty -composure of the young man and his princely bearing, and caught a glimpse -of Shaphan and Nathan and the womanly star in the background, they -thought the house was well occupied as it was. And they proceeded to say -so. They became very free in expressing their minds. - -One cried out scornfully, “Turning out _such_ to put in _such_!” - -“Go away!” cried a second, as he shook his fist energetically at the -police. - -“Off with you!” shouted a third, with both hands in the air, and with the -air of one driving away a flock of geese. - -“Go!” screamed a fourth, “and you may confidentially tell those who sent -you that you were not mean enough, as well as not strong enough, to do -the work set you!” - -And so the cries went on in a very amusing (to the citizens) and -significant variety—went on growing in strength and urgency. - -The captain plainly saw that but one course was open to him. He must make -a virtue of necessity, and withdraw for the present with as good grace as -he could. So he said that perhaps it would be well for him to report at -headquarters what had been told him, and see what his principals thought -of it. Of course, they did not intend to establish a den of thieves and -murderers. So off he marched with his detachment—Antis closely following -with a face in which fear and mortification and rage were contending for -the mastery, and greeted as he passed with many a _See the hangdog_ and -other like complimentary expressions. - -Aleph bowed to the friendly citizens with a smile, got another hearty -cheer in return, and closed the door. - -Shaphan and Nathan were warm in their congratulations. As for Rachel—her -eyes were more lustrous than ever, and a richer color was in her cheek, -but she said nothing. She did not even look at him. - -The two brothers, however, were by no means sure that Malus would give -over his effort. It was not his way. He made it a point to carry his -point on all occasions. To be sure, the case as Aleph had presented -it seemed wholly true and reasonable; it even seemed unsafe to Malus -personally to proceed; but then he was a man of many resources, had grown -venturesome by the habit of success. So they were afraid that it was only -a brief respite that had been obtained. - -Aleph was inclined to the same view. He had little doubt but that Malus -would recognize his antagonist, and would find in the fact additional -motive to persevere. So he expressed his regret that it was not possible -to remove Miriam at once to some other house. - -This brought back Rachel from her abstraction. She went at once to the -bedside of Miriam, who clasped her hands and looked up piteously into the -loving eyes that beamed inquiringly upon her. - -“Do you think that you could bear to be carried home now?” they asked. - -“Right away! right away!” broke out the poor woman with unexpected -strength of voice. “It is better to die on the way than to stay here. -I should die of fear. Let _him_ not leave me”—and she turned her eyes -beseechingly toward Aleph. - -He approached, took her hand gently, and said a few soothing words while -he watched her. She grew quiet and peaceful as her eyes rested on his -face. - -“It seems to me,” he at length said, “that she can better go than stay. -She can summon resolution for the one, but not for the other. The effort -may even reinforce her vitality.” - -“Then let it be done,” said Rachel. “My sedan is large, and I can take -her in my arms, and ease all the motions, and the bearers will move very -carefully. Shall we do it?”—she bent to the ear of the sick woman. - -Miriam looked at her gratefully, and said with some hesitation: - -“If _he_ will go.” - -“Certainly he will go,” cried Rachel, “and will walk by the side of the -chair, and will steady it with his hand, and will every now and then look -in upon us through the curtains to see that we are all right; and when we -reach home he will take you out all carefully and tenderly and carry you -in his strong arms up to your own room and lay you on your own bed—_of -course_ he will. He shall not have my approbation for what he has done -to-day till he sees us both safe at home”—and the great dewy eyes flashed -half merrily and half timidly on Aleph. - -Aleph bowed. “The approbation of the lady Rachel is very far from being -a matter of indifference to me. So I will do as she says. We will all -go—our friends of the khans, the leech, and all the servants, save the -janitor, who on demand shall put Malus in possession. Do you approve?”—he -had turned toward Shaphan and his brother. - -“We do,” said Shaphan, “but before we go into the street, I wish to -mention a fact which perhaps may concern you. We saw Malus to-day in -close talk with Simon, the famous magician; and later in the day, on -going to your khan, we found that Simon and the beautiful Helena, whom he -sometimes calls his daughter and sometimes his sister, had established -themselves there and had placarded the neighborhood with invitations to -the public to come and witness his wonderful performances at a stater a -head. For as much more fee he promises to put the resources of his art -at the service of any visitor; whether he wishes to have his fortune -told, or to consult spirits, or to prosper in love, or in war, or in -money-getting.” - -“Have I not heard,” said Rachel anxiously, “that this magician is an -agent of Malus and is suspected of aiding him in his undertakings by the -magical art?” - -“As much is said,” answered the Jew. “The two men are cousins, though -not often seen together. It is supposed, however, by some that there is -much secret intercourse between them, and that the great success of Malus -in his affairs is largely due to his being in league with evil spirits. -This, of course, he stoutly denies. He laughs at the idea. At the same -time he speaks highly of his cousin, the sorcerer, and does not a little -to give him patronage.” - -“And yet,” said Aleph, “the Law is severe against sorcerers.” - -“But Malus denies that Simon _is_ a sorcerer in the sense used in our -Scriptures. He does not deal with evil spirits. He is only a man of -great skill and learning, who has studied nature profoundly and so found -out many scientific means of doing many wonderful things, and even -of subjecting the elemental spirits that inhabit water and fire and -lightnings and stars to his will and the public service. His spirits -are not devils. His sorcery is only science. And God forbid that the -Law should denounce science. So Malus presents the case. The two men -certainly uphold each other and play into each other’s hands. I wonder -what mischief they are brewing now between them!” - -“I thank you for this information,” said Aleph. “It may prove of service -to me. But now let us proceed to the work before us.” - -Under the direction of Rachel, the servants in a few moments collected -the various articles of furniture and comfort that had been sent from -the mansion of Alexander. She then placed herself in the sedan: and, -the nurse having wrapped Miriam in the bed-coverings, Aleph carefully -took the light burden in his arms and placed it in the arms of Rachel. -As carefully the porters lifted the chair and made their way into the -street—preceded by the two brothers, accompanied by Aleph, and followed -by the remaining servants. In a few moments the house was in the solitary -charge of the janitor, with instructions to wait a while and, if no -one should appear, to lock the door and carry the key to the police -headquarters for the district. - -The escort stopped at the private family entrance. Here the two brothers -took leave; and Aleph, receiving the sick woman into his arms, followed -Rachel into the mansion, along halls and courts and flights of steps, -to the room the nurse had formerly occupied. When he had laid his light -burden on the bed and had satisfied himself that she had borne the -transfer without serious harm, though much wearied and needing to be left -in profound quiet, he turned to depart. - -The sick woman beckoned feebly to Rachel—more with her eye than with her -hand. The young lady drew near and bent to listen to the faint whispers. - -“She wishes me to thank you for what you have done for her,” said the -maiden after a moment, “and to beg that you will not forsake her now that -she is safe among friends.” - -Aleph looked inquiringly at the lovely interpreter—not knowing exactly -how to interpret the interpretation. - -She suddenly turned to Miriam. “Of course he will not forsake you. He is -coming here often to see you—to see how you get on. No good physician -neglects his patient till she is well; and not even then if he is wise. -Besides, he wants to talk more with you about Jesus the Messiah as soon -as you are able to hear it. Yes, _of course_ he is coming, coming often, -coming to-morrow. He will suffer in our good opinion if he does not. So -now close your eyes and rest in peace.” - -Instead of doing this, Miriam burst into a flood of tears and nervous -sobbing. Up to this time she could not fully realize that the dreadful -nightmare of her life was over. But now that she found herself in her -own room, and looking about on the familiar objects, and recognizing one -thing after another that she used to call hers, and saw only kind faces -beaming upon her—all at once a sense of absolute safety came surging in -upon her like a mighty billow. Ah, what a relief—Heaven in place of Hell! -Then all the flood-gates of feeling gave way. It was some time before -she could control herself enough to articulate. But at last the words -came—though very faintly: - -“Home at last! Thank God, who has fulfilled the words of Jesus and sent -me the deliverer whom he promised!” - -The great sea went down as suddenly as it had risen. In a few moments the -exhausted woman closed her eyes and was sleeping peacefully. - -Aleph and Rachel stood together for a little, watching the peaceful -slumber. - -“The experiment seems more successful than I feared,” said Aleph at -length; “I am glad that we made it.” - -Her voice trembled a little, and her color came, as she said, without -turning toward him and with downcast eyes, “And he to whom the success -is due, and who is doubtless the friend whom Jesus promised to Miriam, -has now the express and warm approbation that I promised him, and which I -have found it hard to keep back till now.” - -Aleph answered, “Your compensation is large—I fear much too large for -doing what to me has been a pleasure and an education. And yet I cannot -decline to accept an approval which my heart values so highly.” - -In parting he extended his hand. She placed her own within it. He carried -the snowy prisoner in grave and reverent courtesy to his lips. Was she -offended? - - - - -IX. - -THE MAGICIAN. - - Επι τὰς άφανεῖς καθίστανται, μαντικήν τε καὶ χρησμούς καὶ - τοιαῦτα. - - THUCYDIDES, v. 103. - - _They have recourse to the invisible realm—to necromancy, and - fortune-telling, and such things._ - - 1. The greatest show on earth. - 2. Simon Magus at his best. - 3. Also at his worst. - 4. Avaunt, Sathanas! - - - - -IX. - -THE MAGICIAN. - - -On his return to the khan, as Aleph entered the Egyptian quarter, he -began to notice the papyrus placards of which Shaphan had spoken; and, -as he advanced, they became numerous—pasted on walls, booths, boxes, -whatever conspicuous object presented itself. Had the art of printing -been known to Simon, he plainly would have been a famous advertiser. As -it was, he had made a very liberal use of the scribes of the city. Aleph -stopped to read one immense sheet, beautifully written on, which a boy -was carrying aloft on a pole. This sheet informed the public that Simon, -the greatest magician and master of occult wisdom in modern times, would -exhibit his wonderful powers this eve at the khan near the Serapeum at -the rate of two drachmas a head. The price for admission had been put -so low in order that the entertainment might be within reach of all. -Let all come. They would see the greatest show on earth. Whatever the -wizards of Thessaly, the astrologers of Chaldea, the sybils of Magna -Grecia, the soothsayers and diviners of Etruria, and the sorcerers and -necromancers of ancient Egypt and India could do, he was able to do—and -more. Let all the people come and see. For an extra didrachma there -would be seats reserved. Seats or no seats, the people were sure to get -more than their money’s worth. If any wanted their fortunes told by the -stars; if they wanted to know the critical times in their lives so that -they might be on their guard; if they wanted to know what would be the -best times for any undertakings they have in mind, or to have such helps -in them as the elemental spirits can give, or to compound love potions, -or to communicate with distant and even dead friends, or to defend -themselves from enemies—in short, whoever wanted help of any kind that he -could not get by the common and natural means, now was the opportunity -of a life-time; let him come to Simon, the great magician of the age. -He will not be disappointed. Admission to the court of the khan one -didrachma—seats under the piazza two didrachmas. - -Cimon was found waiting just outside the khan; from the inside of which -came the sound of busy axes and hammers. He proposed that they should go -for their evening meal to some quiet stall in the neighboring Egyptian -market and there talk over their concerns. Accordingly, they were soon -established in a nook by themselves, and Aleph proceeded to relate his -experiences during the day thus far. - -In return, Cimon said that the object of Seti in calling him aside was -to ask whether he had as yet seen any sign of a hostile movement on the -part of the son of the Governor; also whether he knew of any reason why -Malus would favor such a movement. The first question he answered in -the negative: as to the second, he was obliged to say that there were -circumstances that made it likely that Malus would favor any scheme to -their disadvantage of which he might happen to learn. On this, Seti said -that, knowing well as he did the violent and revengeful character of -the young Roman, he had thought it best to have his movements watched; -and had discovered that, since the disturbance at the Diapleuston, and -especially within the last twenty-four hours, there had been considerable -stealthy intercourse between him and Malus. It looked very much as if -they were concerting mischief. After what Cimon had told him he had -no doubt as to the objects of the mischief. Might he ask whether the -circumstances referred to were such as to enlist Malus thoroughly in any -enterprise, however bad, against himself and his young friend? To this -Cimon had answered that the circumstances were indeed such that their -entire disappearance from the scene would free Malus from a great peril. - -“Then,” said Seti emphatically, “he will join the Roman in trying to do -you all the mischief he can. He will have no scruple as to way or means.” - -After Aleph and Rachel had left, Seti had still detained him for a -while with various examples of the unscrupulous craft and daring of the -man—so plainly for the purpose of putting them on their guard against -him that he was almost on the point of explaining their relations to -Malus in full; especially after Seti had concluded with asking that for -the sake of greater security they would exchange their present quarters -for rooms in the Serapeum. “It was an unusual thing to do, not to say -unprecedented; but the circumstances were unusual.” So he begged that -they would transfer themselves without delay. But Cimon thought that he -ought to confer with Aleph about the matter before accepting the offer. -So, thanking the priest for it, and promising to report the next day, he -took leave. - -“Would it not have been well,” said Aleph, “to leave in the hands of the -high-priest that parcel which I saw you making up last evening of the -results of your inquiries as to Malus—I mean for safe keeping?” - -“That is what I did,” replied the Greek; “going back for that purpose -after I had made another visit and added to the parcel some account of -that.” - -He then proceeded to say that, finding it still so early that he might -hope to find the custom house superintendent at his post, he determined -to call upon him and ascertain the result of the inquiry he had promised -to make. This he did. The official reported that the eminent merchant -Malus had entered the office shortly after Cimon had left it, and, on -hearing of the request to examine the registers, had kindly offered to -solicit a permit from the Governor. It would be very little trouble, as -he was about going to Bruchium on business of his own. But he proved -unsuccessful. Despite his efforts, the most he could obtain was a permit -for _himself_ to make the examination in behalf of the stranger; and then -only in case the person should approve himself to him as a person of -standing and consideration. Of course this ended the matter. Cimon bowed -and retired. - -He was not disappointed. From the moment when he met Malus in the passage -he had not counted on any other issue; though without any idea of the -ingenious way in which it would be brought about. - -“How much will this failure be likely to embarrass our cause?” inquired -Aleph. - -“It makes it impossible for us to charge Malus with a crime against the -State; that is, the crime of smuggling, or of collusion with some custom -house officials to defraud the government.” - -“I understand. You have certified copies of the receipts at Myos Hermos; -also certified copies of the receipts given for the same goods by Malus -as harbor-master here; so that you know that Malus has received all the -goods sent. If any of these do not appear on the registers here, it must -be because he has brought them into the city without passing them through -the custom house, or, if through the custom house, is in conspiracy with -some of its officials to defraud the State—a crime more likely to get -prompt attention than one that is merely against an individual—and a -foreigner.” - -“Exactly. Still our case, as it now stands, would naturally compel a -formal examination of the registers: for we can prove that Malus has -received everything up to the gates of the custom house. Beyond the -gates he declares himself to have received much less—that is, much has -been lost in passing through the custom house. This is really charging -its officials with crime. Such a charge, it would seem, must compel an -examination of the registers. Still I would have been glad to set the -offense against the State in the foreground of the battle.” - -“Then,” said Aleph, “supposing the registry accounts to agree with -ours, Malus would be liable to refund the value of the missing goods -according to the prices ruling at the times they were received, and to -add to this a considerable sum on nearly every one of the many other lots -consigned to him for thirty years on account of false statements as to -the duties imposed and the prices current—in regard to both of which you -have gained sufficient information. Have you estimated what the whole -indebtedness amounts to?” - -“Not closely; but it must amount to an immense sum. And then, if Malus -should incidentally be convicted of smuggling, half of the large sum -forfeited by the Roman law would fall to the party establishing the fact. -If the courts are equitable our success means the ruin of Malus (or what -he would consider such)—especially as it would bring upon him the claims -of many other persons whom he has wronged, but who hitherto have been -afraid to contend with him. Of course a man with so much at stake must be -expected to make great efforts to secure himself; and such a man as Malus -will stop at nothing, however criminal, that promises to help him. By -this time, no doubt, he is wide awake.” - -“Do you suppose,” inquired Aleph after a moment’s silence, “that the -exhibition this evening is inspired by him and covers some designs -against us?” - -“I fear so,” said Cimon, moving uneasily, “though I do not see clearly -how it can be made to serve his purpose. I would that we and our -belongings were well in the Serapeum. But it is now too late in the day -to make a change: all that we can do is to be wary while remaining for -the night at the khan.” - -“I should have some scruples about being present at a professedly magical -exhibition if it were not practically involuntary. But, since we have -no choice in the matter, we may at least get the advantage of noticing -the contrast between the miracles of Jesus as they have been reported to -us and the marvels of the most famous magician of our time—for such I -understand he is considered.” - -“Try to imagine some advantage to his cousin Malus in this movement,” -suggested Cimon. - -“Is it not supposable that Malus is very superstitious (as I believe such -men are apt to be) and has great confidence in the magic art, and hopes -to weave about us some hindering if not destructive spell, enlisting -against us demoniacal forces? Perhaps, too, he proposes to frighten us -from our purpose by astrological and other predictions of impending evil: -also will seek to enlarge his knowledge of us by asking for the facts -needed for constructing a horoscope.” - -“That will do very well for a guess,” said Cimon. “And since we are -guessing I will make a small contribution. Perhaps the darkness which is -sure to accompany the exhibition at some stage will be used for an attack -on us bodily. This can be imputed to spirits. If I should see among the -spectators any persons with villainous and cut-throat faces, I should -feel called on to be on the watch.” - -During this conversation their simple meal had been brought and -dispatched (not without an audible thanksgiving); and Cimon now proposed -that they should at once return to the khan and acquaint themselves with -their new surroundings somewhat in advance of the evening’s performance. - -The sun was about setting, and many people were already collected about -the gate, reading the large poster that hung upon it and comparing views -and expectations, when our friends came up. They were at once admitted as -being guests of the establishment. - -They found a platform erected in the middle of the court, and closely -drawn about by curtains on which were various cabalistic characters. -From within issued a smoke, an odor as of strange drugs, a hissing sound -as of boiling, faint flashes of light, and various sounds as of people -moving about and arranging. Around the stage, at a small distance, -hurdles had been set up—also about the piazza. The only break in these -two lines of hurdles was opposite the room which Cimon and Aleph -occupied. Here were two gates giving access from the stage to the piazza -by means of a flight of steps from the former. - -“What does this mean?” thought our two friends. “Did it _happen_ so?” - -In passing to their room along the piazza they found benches, each of -which could seat four persons, standing before each room, but set forward -so as to allow free passage behind them. Before their own door, however, -stood only a single short bench seating only two persons. Right before -this seat, under the eaves of the piazza, hung a single lighted lamp—the -only lamp visible anywhere. - -“And what does all this mean?” thought our friends. “Does it mean honor -to us as the guests of the house or to make us easier marks for the -archer?” - -Without stopping to answer such questions they unlocked their door; -and, entering, held their usual evening devotions with no appearance -of distraction or hurry. When they came out, staff in hand, and took -seats on the bench before the door, they found that the shadows had -considerably deepened, and the signs of activity within the curtained -stage had considerably increased. As yet no spectators had been admitted. - -Soon, however, people began to enter the court: then, after a while, -the piazza began to be occupied. Our friends watched narrowly every -successive arrival as long as the deepening shadows allowed; but it soon -became impossible to form any idea of faces and figures. But they were -very many—so many at last that there seemed to be no more standing room -in the court, nor sitting room under the piazza. The seats nearest them, -on the right and left, somehow came to be occupied last, and though Aleph -bent specially on them his young searching eyes, the light had become -too dim to be of service. He then noticed for the first time that the -lamp before him had protruding sides that fended off the rays to the -right and left. Himself and companion would have the sole benefit of the -illumination. Would it be a benefit? - -A bell tinkled. Up went the stage curtains. In the midst of a blaze of -light stood a man of unusual stature. His beard was long and black, and -long black locks hung below the close-fitting black cap. A long black -mantle covered with geometrical and other figures hung gracefully from -his shoulders. Supreme confidence in his own powers and position breathed -in his whole attitude and expression. His air was that of an acknowledged -sage. He stood motionless for a few moments as if to allow the people a -full opportunity to see what a dignified and promising person was before -them. He then turned quietly and took a cool survey of the packed court -and of the piazza beyond as if to acquaint himself with the situation—to -see how many persons and what sort of persons made up his audience. His -survey ended with his confronting Cimon and Aleph for a moment. - -A little back of this remarkable figure stood another scarcely less -noticeable—a beautiful woman richly, though scantily, dressed, in the -Greek fashion. Behind her, at the two corners of the platform, stood two -Nubians, black as midnight, who could scarcely be said to be dressed at -all. Between these latter stood a table on which was a seething cauldron -over a brazier of live coals—also a large shallow dish. Two stools and a -number of tools were under the table. - -Simon turned and bowed low to Helena—for that was the Aspasia-like woman -near him. Then, turning to the people: - -“I always make it a point,” said he, “to begin with acknowledging my -obligations to my sister, to whom I am indebted for much of my success.” - -He then added, “I wish it to be distinctly understood at the outset -that a part of what I shall do this evening is only skillful illusion; -another part will be done simply by means of my acquaintance with the -more mysterious laws and forces of Nature; a third part will be done by -the help of powerful spirits whom I have subjected, to a certain extent, -by my art, but who do not belong to that class of spirits with whom -intercourse is forbidden.” - -He at once began to draw a ribbon from his mouth. He drew and -drew—apparently there was no end to the stock of ribbons within him. At -last, with a gesture of impatience, he broke off the endless thing at -his lips, and gulped down the remainder. He then went to the brazier of -glowing coals and proceeded to eat them as so much fruit—to eat with -excellent appetite. - -Suddenly turning from this feast, he took up the large dish on the table -and poured out from it a quantity of sand on the platform. He completely -reversed the dish and shook it. He then replaced the sand, inserted in -it a small seed, spread his two hands over the dish, and waited for what -might happen. What happened was a little olive tree—as everybody could -see as soon as Simon had removed his hands and held up the dish for -general view. He then set down the dish on the floor, covered it for a -moment with a corner of his mantle, and then held it up to view again. -Lo, the little olive of a few inches had doubled its size. Once more -he covered it from view. On removing his robe, he showed to the people -a plant so large that its roots had crowded out all the sand from the -vessel and protruded from it on all sides. Using another corner of the -mantle, he reversed the process. The great plant dwindled by successive -stages into the original seed which was held up for the people to see. - -Taking the same dish, shaking the sand out of it, even taking the pains -to wipe it vigorously with one corner of his robe, he reversed it on the -floor. Muttering a few words over it, he lifted it and a cat appeared. He -replaced the dish over the cat; after a moment lifted again, and behold, -a dog instead of a cat. Replacing the dish over the dog, and after a -moment lifting it again, he astonished the people with the sight of a -litter of puppies. Reversing the process, he produced in succession the -dog, the cat, and the empty dish. - -He concluded this part of the entertainment by drawing a sword from under -his mantle and swallowing it. - -Next, Simon seated himself at the table, and laid the tips of his fingers -upon it. Helena set a seat by his side and did the same. The two Nubians -came forward, and, having removed the brazier, seated themselves on -the table itself. In a few moments it began to tip, and finally fell -to swaying and leaping so violently that the blacks were unable to keep -their seats, though they struggled hard to do so. Having dislodged the -two bulky fellows, the table rose several feet into the air and remained -suspended; and the brazier with its cauldron rose gently after it and -resumed its old place without any disturbance of their contents—and all -the while raps and musical sounds both over and under the table were -heard. The Nubians caught hold of the legs of the table and tried with -all their might to pull it down; whereupon it rose still higher, dragging -the men after it. Simon made a downward pass with his hand, and at once -it descended gently and noiselessly to the floor. - -Again Helena seated herself. Simon approached, took hold of both her -hands, and looked steadily into her eyes. Shortly, relinquishing her -hands, he made passes downward along her arms. Gradually her eyelids drew -together and she slept. - -“Now tell us what you see,” said Simon. - -“I see,” said she, slowly, and as if looking afar, “a beautiful country -of mountains and green valleys and crystal streams, sprinkled with flocks -and herds and white-faced keepers.” - -“Look again. What do you see now?” continued the magician. - -“I see,” replied Helena, “a magnificent palace perched on an eminence. -It is of stone; and it has around it walls and towers; and into its -court-yard is now coming a caravan dusty and wayworn—loaded horses and -mules and camels; and, escorting them, many armed horsemen before and -behind.” - -“Enter the palace. What see you now?” continued the soothsayer. - -“I see steps of marble, doors of brass, a lofty hall with sculptures and -suits of armor, sumptuous apartments after apartments—a library in which -are four persons; two sitting on a couch, and two standing before them. -The first two are a man and woman venerable with white locks, but with no -other signs of great age: the other two, also a man and woman, are much -younger and still in the fullness of mature life. All are of princely -features and bearing.” - -“What are they doing?” demanded Simon. - -“The younger couple are untying tablets bound about with a black ribbon. -They are now reading—plainly with surprise and grief.” - -“Approach and read with them,” said Simon. - -“I cannot read. The characters are strange. Besides, tears have fallen -copiously on them,” said the woman. - -Simon reversed his passes, and the woman, giving a great sigh, opened her -eyes. - -He then came forward to the edge of the stage next to our friends. - -“We come now,” said he, “to something very important. It has been known -from remotest times that it is possible to determine from the stars the -general character of a man’s fortunes, the critical times in his life, -the sort of dangers to which he will be most exposed. Becoming acquainted -with these, he can take precautions accordingly. For example, if one -finds that to-morrow will be a time of special peril to him, and that the -peril will come from a city, he can leave the city at once and so secure -himself. So it is very important that each one of you inform himself in -advance all about these critical and dangerous times that are sure to -come to him. Do not neglect this opportunity of consulting the stars. It -is the opportunity of a life-time. For the very small consideration of -only one gold stater he can have the benefit of my profound studies among -the stars, studies which I can assure you have been profounder and more -successful than those of any other man, not excepting Hermes Trismegistus -himself. All you have to do is to hand me the piece of gold, together -with the exact time and place of your birth, and I will construct the -twelve Heavenly Houses, and find the places of the planets therein, and -take account of their mutual bearings and modifications, and so make out -for you a horoscope that will tell you just what is to be done in every -trying situation as long as you live. And you will live twice as long -for it. Now, who will, at the trifling expense I have mentioned, protect -himself from great harm and secure to himself wonderful advantages?” - -He folded his arms and waited. But no one responded. Either there was -not sufficient faith in the people, or they had already invested in -horoscopes, or the gold piece required was wanting. The astrologer -expressed surprise at this backwardness to seize the splendid opportunity -they were having for having their fortunes told by the truth-telling -stars through their most illustrious interpreter. It was a great -mistake. They would surely regret it. He was only passing through the -city on his way to Rome at the invitation of the Emperor Tiberius, and -when he should return, if ever, it was impossible to say. What was the -difficulty? Was it the ready money demanded? Well, he would make it easy -for poor people. They might pay him on delivery of the horoscope and its -interpretation. Let them hand in their names and the facts called for, -and he would trust them. - -This brought out the people in the court. Not a few signified their -readiness to accept the new offer; and the Nubians, passing along the -inner hurdles with papyrus and stylus, soon collected quite a catalogue -of names and appropriate particulars. This seemed very satisfactory to -Simon. - -He then looked off toward the piazza from whose seats no response to his -appeal had yet come. He was now ready to attend to them. It was kind in -them to wait till the less favored class had been cared for. Now let the -piazza speak. Though they did not belong to the impecunious class, he -would make no distinction between the rich and poor, but would serve all -on the same terms. And he walked about the edge of the platform on all -sides with one hand behind his ear. - -“Your voices are too feeble,” he at length exclaimed; “I must get -nearer,” and he descended from the stage by the flight of steps in front -of Cimon and Aleph, opened the wicket and stepped on the piazza. - -“Perhaps these friends, one of whom seems to me to have come from the -native land of astrology and may therefore be presumed to know how potent -in human affairs the stars are, will allow me to construct figures for -them. Somehow I feel a presentiment as I stand near this young man (and -I have never known such presentiments deceive me), that he is entering -a critical period in his fortunes, and will need all the light my art -can throw on the character of the perils surrounding him and the way of -escape. If he will tell me the exact date and place of his birth, I can -in a few moments, by means of a great improvement on old methods, make -for him a planetary construction that will cover the next few days and be -of immense service to him. I trust he believes in the Chaldean science?” - -“At present I express neither assent nor dissent,” said Aleph; “I only -say that I have no occasion for your art. If perils come I propose to -seek help, not from the stars, but from beyond them.” - -This was said in so decisive a tone as to forbid further solicitation. - -Simon merely added in a voice which plainly betrayed resentment, “Perhaps -the young man is aware that the stars are apt to be hostile to those who -distinctly refuse them. I foresee that they will be hostile to him.” And, -swaying his long loose mantle against the knees of Aleph as he turned, he -stalked back to his place on the platform. - -There, folding his arms and looking upward intently as if carefully -perusing the sky at different points, he remained silent for a while. -He then suddenly exclaimed in a voice of thunder, “Oh, the angry -aspects! Oh, the threatening configurations! Oh, the malignant Saturn -in Aries shooting his rays aslant yonder!”—and he pointed his finger -toward the part of the piazza which he had just left. He then turned to -the people and said with a voice that seemed oppressed by some mighty -burden, “You have just heard me say that sometimes when I am very near -a person, and especially if my robe touches him, there comes upon me a -presentiment in regard to him which is, in a measure, a substitute for a -horoscope—especially if at once followed by such a consultation of the -heavens as I have just now given.” - -“Tell us what you have discovered,” cried a voice from the court. - -“I see,” he cried, “his enterprise miscarrying, his friends forsaking -him, his enemies surrounding him. Flight alone will save him. And let him -not linger. The black cloud has settled till it touches him—let him rush -from under it. The walls of the house have crept together till they press -him on every side—let him leap forth before it is too late. The walls of -the city have crowded in upon him till the four gates almost meet one -another—let him struggle through this or that as best he can, and flee, -_flee_. Flee on the swift Bactrian dromedary, flee on the swift galley -with sails and oars, flee as does the ostrich before the Arabian with -both feet and wings, flee as do the sands of the desert before the hot -Simoom. Else the Chaldean home will wail for the son that never returns.” - -This he said with the air of a prophet—his tall form strained to the -utmost, his hands lifted, and his voice urgent and full of horror. He -retained his tragic attitude and aspect for a little after he had ceased -speaking. Meanwhile Helena had stolen up to him, and stood looking -skyward as if trying to see what he saw. Suddenly he grasped her arm with -one hand and with the other pointed with anxious look toward various -parts of the sky: all the while speaking to her in a low voice, as if -explaining what they saw. He had an apt scholar. She gave frequent nods -of assent, and finally clasped and wrung her hands with as dismayed an -air as his own. - -All this seemed to profoundly impress the people in the court, on whose -upturned faces the many lights of the stage were strongly shining. They -gazed at the astrologer with open mouths: they seemed awe-struck at his -fiery words and majestic bearing. He glanced from there to Aleph—was it -to see whether the same effect had been produced on him? At all events -he saw none. A perfect composure reigned in the face and attitude of the -young man. Simon was both disconcerted and angry—as was plain enough to -the sharp young eyes that never left him. - -“I have no doubt,” cried he, after an evident effort to recover himself, -“that nearly all my friends under the piazza are more respectful to the -Celestial Science than the one whose danger and misfortunes have just -been revealed to me. But, as time presses, I will not ask them to apply -for horoscopes to-night. Let them come to me as privately as they choose -at my rooms here for the next few days; and it will be strange as well as -pitiful if the book of the stars does not read more pleasantly for them -than it has done for one this evening.” - -He made a sign to the Nubians. They hastened to fan the coals in the -brazier; and, when the cauldron had begun to seethe again, he approached -and dropped in something that made the contents hiss and leap as if they -would burst away from the vessel. He then drew from under his mantle a -sheet of papyrus covered with writing, dipped the manuscript into the -cauldron, lighted it at the coals, waved it toward the four points till -it was wholly consumed. - -He made another sign to Helena. She went to one of the looped-up curtains -and drew from a fold in it with an air of profound reverence—a wand. -This, with averted eyes, she brought to Simon: then sank on her knees -and covered her eyes with her hand. Whereupon the blacks came up hastily -and crouched behind her with all the signs of abject fear. Dipping the -end of the wand in the cauldron, the magician proceeded to describe -with it a large circle about them all. Dipping again, he traced just -within the circle and all around it a variety of characters—allowing -no break, however small, in the continuity of the tracing. The lines -became gradually luminous—first the circumference of the circle, then the -endless chain of mystic characters within. - -“The Ephesian Letters,” whispered Cimon to Aleph. - -There was an intense hush of fearful expectation. - -“I am now about,” the magician cried in his gravest tones, “to summon -here mighty genii and elemental spirits, both to show you the resources -of my art, and to convince as many of you as need convincing (and the -number of such persons is not small in these days) of the reality of a -world of invisible beings possessing great powers. Many of these spirits -are exceedingly mischievous as well as mighty, and would be glad to -destroy us all. But they dare not cross this circle, and especially the -characters traced just within it—though they would do so if they could -find the least break in the lines. I am also able to protect those of you -without this circle—provided certain conditions are complied with. All -seats under the piazza must be set forward from the wall so as to allow -free passage behind them for the spirits: and in addition every one must -remain quietly in his place, whatever may happen or seem to be happening, -till I dismiss you. To all complying with these conditions and keeping -a reverent attitude of mind toward the spirits, I can promise entire -safety. To others I can promise nothing. Solomon himself could promise -nothing. I wish all of you to distinctly understand that I will not be -responsible for even the lives of any who violate these conditions. I -warn you that we are about to deal with very dangerous beings, and that I -can only control them under certain provisos. If any man is disposed to -defy these let him look to himself.” - -Both Cimon and Aleph had for some time noticed that the single lighted -lamp that hung just before them was getting dimmer; and so were not -surprised when it flickered and expired while the magician was speaking. - -The man was now looking at his best. He seemed to have reserved himself -for this time. His commanding stature, his powerful and oracular face, -and his stately bearing enriched by the mysterious and becoming robes of -his art, shone out very impressively under the brilliant lights of the -stage. He stood in the centre of his magical circle, with his wand in -his hand. He cast the wand on the floor. Lo, a serpent, gliding along -with erect and hissing head till it came to the luminous belt of Ephesian -Letters! There it stopped; and then moved along the belt slowly, without -touching it, as if looking for some break in it, till it reached the -point whence it started. Then with depressed head it moved back silently -to Simon, who took it by the tail, and lo, he had again a wand in his -hand. - -He extended it toward the East and called out with a great voice in that -direction certain uncouth names, saying: - -“Genii, spirits elemental of air, of fire, of earth, and of water! By the -bond between us, by this wand which ye know, by the spells I have woven, -by this magic circle in which I stand, I summon you, _I summon you_!” - -He then turned toward the other cardinal points, repeating to each the -same formula, though appealing to different personal names. At once -there fell on the ear the faint beat of distant wings. Shadows began to -flit through the air, and monstrous shapes vaguely showed themselves on -the walls and roofs of the khan. Then the lights on the stage burned -blue, grew feeble, flickered, went out. Everything was now in profound -darkness—save that on the stage the circumference of the circle with -its inlying border of mystic characters was become a glowing belt that -cast a wierd light on the magician and his cowering companions, but -seemed to have no power of illuminating beyond the stage. Now the beat -of wings was heard more distinctly. It grew apace. Soon it was like the -rush of winds—high in the air above the stage, and at various points in -the passage left behind the seats under the piazza. There it swept along -with terrific force—whistling and howling. Into these noises others -immediately insinuated themselves. Strange whisperings and mutterings -became audible. These gradually passed into raps, detonations, groans, -shrieks; and occasionally a yell so fierce and demoniacal as to be -appalling, rent the air and the ear. - -But the chief place of commotion was the edge of the platform, just -outside of the fiery zone. Here, all the noises that were scattered -elsewhere were condensed and intensified into the roar of a tempest. To -fiendish laughs and screeches and yells that made the ear tingle were -added the bayings of many sorts of wild beasts when hot after their prey. -It seemed as if the spirits were crowding to get at the magician, and -tear him limb from limb, and were chafed to madness on being prevented by -the magic circle. It was the many-voiced sea, lashed into fury, leaping -in spray and thunder on a rock-bound coast. What a carnival! Was hell -emptied? And through the blackness and the uproar and the fury, pierced -voices like swords—voices that cried: - -“We are here, great Master, to do thy bidding. Lo, we are here!” - -At no time during the evening had Cimon, or even Aleph with his younger -eyes, been able to see who occupied the adjoining seats on their right -and left. These seats had not been taken till it had become too dark to -distinguish faces or even figures: and the single lamp before themselves -was so ensconced among the ornaments of the eaves of the piazza that it -threw no light to either side. But from both sides they occasionally -caught low sounds of movements and voices; and knew very well that they -had neighbors. And they felt quite sure that if an attack should be made -upon them it would come from those nearest to them. So, as soon as the -lights had all gone out, after a moment’s whispered conference together, -they noiselessly set their seat back against the door of their room, and -as noiselessly took stand in front of it and facing it, but at a distance -from it of several feet—and waited for what might happen. - -At the height of the uproar and darkness, their ears caught a stealthy -movement at both right and left; and then the careful footfall of -unsandalled feet. A moment more, and there was a stumbling against the -seat they had left, as of men who had been expecting a clear passage; -while they felt the presence of others just before them. At once came -a hasty succession of heavy blows, as of bludgeons, on the seat and -door behind it. Two heavy thuds promptly followed, and as many groans -and falls: for both Cimon and Aleph had struck with clenched hands into -the dark, and had encountered something more substantial than spirits. -This done, they stepped back to their former places and waited for what -might yet follow. Nothing followed—save the sound of footsteps hastily -retreating to the right and left. And, all at once, the hubbub of wierd -noises began to lull; the whispers and howls and other diabolic sounds -dwindled rapidly; in a few moments the rush of departing wings had died -away in the distance. - -“Now go in peace,” cried the magician. “If any have been injured by the -Powers I have summoned, it is because they did not obey my directions. -Their blood be on their own heads. I take you to witness that I am not -responsible.” - -The court and piazza were soon emptied. The people had been too soundly -frightened to stand on the order of their going; and rushed out pell-mell -through the darkness—overturning benches and hurdles and one another. - -During this final uproar, which was almost as great as the spirits -had made, Aleph felt a hand on his shoulder, heard a whisper at his -ear—“Shaphan and Nathan.” - -“Welcome,” he whispered back. “Come into our room.” - -They removed the seat, unlocked the door, and with the aid of the -two Jews dragged inside the bodies which their feet had encountered -on the floor. Closing the door, they struck a light and proceeded to -examine their still insensible assailants. In one of them Aleph had no -difficulty in recognizing Antis: in the other Shaphan and his brother -knew Draco, a noted bully of the city, at present teacher of fence at -the Museum, formerly a trainer of gladiators at Rome, and well known -as a dissipated companion of the son of the Governor. Having satisfied -themselves that the men were not seriously injured, and needed only the -open air to fully recover, they drew them out again on the piazza and -there left them to themselves—or their friends. - -The brothers then explained that the lady Rachel had sent a servant to -them after their return home to recall them; and had begged that they -would be present at the khan in the evening with some of the family -servants and give aid to her friends if they should have need. But -various circumstances had delayed them so that they did not arrive till -after the performance had begun; when they found no admission to the -piazza, and the court so densely packed that it was almost impossible to -wedge their way to the neighborhood of Aleph and Cimon. This, however, in -the course of the evening they had, by dint of constant effort, succeeded -in doing, and were quite near when the assault was made and the assembly -broke up. They then dashed violently through the crowd, and over the -hurdles—fearing the worst, for they had heard the blows, the groans, and -the heavy falls. Thank Heaven, it was the enemy that fell! - -Very cordial acknowledgments were made to the friendly Jews. In addition, -Aleph sat down and wrote on a piece of papyrus the following: - -“Aleph the Chaldean, to the daughter of Alexander, sends greeting: - -“This is to express my sense of the kindness you have shown to the -eastern strangers in sending help to them this night in their supposed -danger. And truly the danger was considerable; but through the favor of -the Most High we have escaped the assault made upon us, and have come to -understand better than before the difference between the marvels of Jesus -and the marvels of the magician. The latter are due partly to illusion -and ventriloquism, partly to occult natural law, and partly to diabolism. -They are favored by darkness and distance, depend on preparations and -compacts and machinery, proceed from an unworthy person, seek unworthy -objects, are aided by unworthy Powers, are connected with phenomena that -betray a diabolic origin, and are wholly depraving and mischievous in -their tendency. - -“When the bearers of this give you an account of what they have seen and -heard, you will, I doubt not, see new reason to believe in Him who casts -out devils instead of invoking them. - -“May the God of Abraham and Daniel, the Chaldeans, keep you! - -“Farewell!” - -When the Jews stepped out on the piazza they found that the bodies were -no longer there. Doubtless they had recovered consciousness and taken -themselves off. - -Magic and miracle! Two very different things, thought Aleph again, as he -recalled, in the solitude to which he was now left, the account which -Nathan had given of the storm on the Sea of Galilee. - - Did ever night with blacker wing - Swoop down upon the sea? - Did ever storm with fiercer flail - Smite Sea of Galilee? - - God help yon bubble bark that leaps - Against a rayless sky— - God help yon bubble bark flung back - In rayless gulfs to die! - - The gates of hell are open wide, - Its fiends outscream the blast; - “Up with the bubble boat on high! - This plunge shall be the last.” - - Alas, alas! ye helpless men - Who to the skies are tost— - Just hanging to the lion’s mane, - What can ye be but lost? - - Yet cry for help—_Where is the KING?_— - Ye have not far to seek; - Within your very bark is One - Who storms to calms can speak. - - He speaks—at once the stars look down - Upon a waveless sea; - The peace of God is in thy winds, - O breathless Galilee! - - And ever when we cry through storms, - To Christ our cry should be; - Low bow all waves and winds and fiends - To Him of Galilee. - - - - -X. - -THE ARENA. - - Μεγάλα πρήγματα μεγάλοσι κινδύνοιισι. - - —HERODOTUS, vii. 50. - - _Great results from great dangers._ - - 1. An anxious friend. - 2. Seti defends himself. - 3. So does Aleph. - 4. Who is to blame? - - - - -X. - -THE ARENA. - - -An evening of such experiences as we have just described would be -followed by a sleepless night in the case of most persons at the present -day. But those were adventurous times; the element of uncertainty and -peril entered into them far more largely than it does into our daily -life; and the habit of coolly accepting the situation and accommodating -themselves to it was common among men of standing and courage. So the -reader must not be surprised to learn that our friends, after thanking -Heaven for their preservation, slept about as soundly through the night -as if they had suffered no narrow escape and were anticipating nothing -but safety on the morrow. - -Their morning devotions and meal had been finished, and they were -conferring as to Seti’s proposal that they should remove to the Serapeum, -when a knock was heard on their door, and the high priest himself made -his appearance. - -“What means all this?” he exclaimed, as he closed the door behind him and -took the rude stool which was all that Aleph had to offer him; “the whole -khan behind time, everything in a litter, the staging in the court in -the last stages of a debauch; above all the clubs before your door and -the battered state of the door itself, to say nothing of the broken seat -before it!” - -Cimon explained. - -“Now you see why I am here so early this morning,” resumed the priest. -“My thoughts were so full of apprehension on your account during the -night that I could not sleep; and I determined that as soon as possible -in the morning I would seek you out and again urge you to remove at once -to the Serapeum. This evidently is no place for you. It is plain that -Malus and the son of the governor have gotten into communication with -each other and have joined their forces—plain that the chief object of -the doings here last night was a three-fold assault on you through your -fears, through magical powers, and through human assassins. These were -the three strings to their bow. They hoped that if the others failed the -clubs of Draco and his helpers would do the work and the magical powers -which you defied take all the blame of it. You see with what characters -you have to deal. Behold a fair sample of what these men are capable of -doing. So come to the Serapeum without delay.” - -“We were speaking of your kind offer just as you came in,” said Cimon, -“and were debating whether we could properly accept it; and had about -come to the conclusion that we could not do so without dragging the only -friends we have in Alexandria into trouble with powerful people—which -would be a poor return for the kindness we have received.” - -“Leave me to judge,” returned Seti coolly, “as to the amount of trouble -I can afford to be at for your sake. The offer I make is made freely in -view of the circumstances.” - -“We have been afraid,” said Aleph, “that your view of the circumstances -is not as complete as it should be before we allow your generous kindness -to embroil you with perhaps the government itself. You already know that -Malus supposes himself seriously in danger from us, and that so we are -seriously in danger from him. But you have not known distinctly who we -are, and what we propose to do. As to who we are, we are still compelled -to be silent; but it is fitting that you learn now the nature of Cimon’s -relations to Malus. Cimon is the dear friend and business manager -of an eastern trader who for many years has had large dealings with -Malus—consigning to him a large amount of costly eastern goods yearly. -We now find, what has long been suspected, that the consignee has made -false returns as to the amount of goods received, and prices obtained -for them, and the duties levied on them at this port. Complete proof of -this, as we suppose, is contained in the parcel of papers put into your -hands yesterday. We also cannot doubt that a comparison of these papers -with the custom house registers (which comparison we have not been able -to make) would show that Malus has defrauded the government as well as -ourselves, and perhaps that officials are in collusion with him. The -interests he has at stake, therefore, are so large that he is sure to be -as bitterly hostile to our friends as to us. And besides, as you see, -he seems to have secured a hold of some sort on the Roman authorities -themselves. So the man who undertakes to befriend us undertakes a great -deal. We are very reluctant to embroil you, and perhaps the family of the -Alabarch in so serious a trouble. On this account we have refrained from -asking advice from you in regard to our preliminary movements.” - -“The case as stated by you,” replied Seti, still with the utmost -coolness, “is not worse than I supposed; and I still press my invitation. -Trouble there will be, no doubt; but, then, if I do not accept this -trouble I shall have a greater from another quarter; for my granddaughter -sent a messenger to me this morning as soon as it was light to stir me up -to do what I am now doing. If I were to be backward in this matter,” he -added with a smile, “I am afraid she would rouse all my students against -me; which she could easily do, for she is a queen to P. Cornelius. -Moreover, it is barely possible that both Alexander and myself have just -a little of that generous indignation at wickedness that led certain -persons of our acquaintance to stand up for us without counting the cost. -Who gave Greeks and Chaldeans a monopoly of that sort of thing? No, -friends, you must not ask me to do what you would not, I am confident, be -willing to do yourselves.” - -Of course nothing more was to be said. And our friends said nothing -more—save thanks. It was agreed that they should send their effects at -once to the Serapeum by certain servants whom Seti had left without, and -follow them in person in the course of the day. - -This matter being disposed of, Seti continued, “Now tell me what steps -you have taken to bring that arch-rogue to justice.” - -“I have done nothing,” said Cimon, “save to collect evidence; and have -been uncertain what further steps to take.” - -“You should put your proofs at once in the hands of Alexander’s lawyer. -If he judges them sufficient for this latitude and for a Roman Court -(for a Roman Court it must be, since the case is between a Greek and a -Jew), let him put things in train without delay. You could find no more -skillful advocate; and he has the further advantage, somewhat rare in his -profession, of being an honest man. This in itself will instinctively -enlist him against such a rogue as Malus. He will do all he can to bring -the fellow to justice.” - -“Can you tell me what the prospects for justice in a Roman Court are?” - -“The Roman law, in general, is just; but a case has to be very clear or -the strong rogues, in Alexandria as elsewhere, will manage to escape -by means of the evasions, delays, appeals, and various tricks that -are purchasable by the free use of money. It is said that all things -are venal at Rome. I am afraid the state of things is no better in -Alexandria. Malus will use money freely—can you do the same?” - -“That depends,” said Cimon. “For such purposes as the collecting of -evidence and the securing of the ablest advocate that can be had, I say -_Yes_ to your question. For the purpose of bribing the judges, I say -_No_.” - -“This is the answer I expected from you. But your enemy has no scruples. -He will have the freedom of all means—righteous and unrighteous. In this -respect he has much the advantage over you—always provided that there -is no God, and that there is a devil. But in certain other important -respects you have an advantage over him.” - -“Will you tell us in what?” suggested Aleph. - -“First, in the intrinsic justice of your cause; for I have no doubt that -the case is as you have stated it. Next, the evil repute of Malus among -the better class of people is against him. They all know that he is -capable of doing just the sort of thing you charge against him—that, in -fact, he has done it in multitudes of cases and has only escaped by the -terror which he inspires in people too weak financially and otherwise to -contend with him. It is worth while for even Roman judges to make some -account of the higher grades of public opinion. Further, it would not be -strange if many of the small victims of Malus should summon courage in -the presence of so large a suit as yours to appear against him with an -amount of testimony that would be overwhelming.” - -“I understand then,” said Cimon, “that even if our proofs are legally -complete, we still have reason to fear that venality on the part of the -judges and hostility on the part of the Governor and other officials will -find means to set them aside.” - -“Yes—it certainly is to be feared. Malus has undoubtedly patched up an -alliance, if not with the Governor himself, at least with Romans who can -bring heavy influence to bear upon him and so on the courts. We must not -shut our eyes on this fact. It is our main disadvantage. But to offset -this the Alabarch and myself can also bring heavy influences—and they -shall not be wanting.” - -“We are fortunate and thankful to find such friends—especially as we -have no choice but to proceed. We will proceed and trust Heaven for the -result. I think this is the conclusion to which we have come, and that -we are ready to authorize our friend to place our papers in the hands of -the advocate he proposes,” and he looked inquiringly at Aleph. - -Aleph slightly bowed. After a moment, however, he added: - -“Still I would be glad if, before legal proceedings are begun, we could -give Malus an opportunity to retrace his steps. I would like to try what -effect expostulation under the perils of his situation would have. The -Most High practices forbearance to sinners; and such I understand is the -practice of the Messiah toward his enemies. His miracles show that he -has power enough to overwhelm them all with the greatest ease, but he -forbears and tries on them the effect of more light and expostulation. I -would be glad to imitate God and His Christ.” - -Seti started to his feet in amazement. - -“And this after your very lives have been so foully assailed! This way -of doing things is neither Egyptian, nor Greek, nor Roman, nor even -Jewish—however God-like and Christ like it may be.” - -“I confess,” said Cimon, “that I have something of the feeling that my -young friend has expressed. I am reluctant to drive a man to what may -prove his ruin without giving him a chance for his life. To be sure, I -have small hope of a favorable result from any appeal we can make to the -conscience and fears of Malus. But I should feel easier if it were made.” - -“Well, be it so!” said Seti after a short silence. “Make the experiment. -See what merciful dealings can do. At the most, it only means the -delay of a day or so.... Now let us see what you will _write_ to this -promising candidate for repentance and reformation: for I will never -give my consent that you go in person into the den of such a serpent.” - -Aleph looked at Cimon. The Greek nodded. The young man seated himself at -a table and slowly wrote as follows: - - “Cimon, manager and representative, to Malus, consignee and - merchant. - - “It has been discovered that the returns which you have made - for many years to the business which I represent are not in - accordance with the facts, and that now a very large sum of - money is due us. I am reluctant to appeal to the courts to - enforce our claims; and hope that your sense of justice and - of responsibility to a Higher Power will make such an appeal - unnecessary. A satisfactory assurance from you of regret for - the past and an upright purpose for the future will dispose me - to abate much from my just claim upon you. - - “Let me hear from you to-day at the - - _Khan Rachotis_.” - -“I have great misgivings as to this merciful plan of yours,” said Seti, -“and only give my consent to it on condition that you authorize me to -place your papers in the hands of our advocate at once, without waiting -to see the result of your appeal. If it is successful you can recall the -parcel unbroken. Otherwise it is to be used without delay. You agree?” - -“So be it,” said Cimon. - -“Does the parcel contain as full an explanation of the case as the -advocate will need?” - -“So it seems to me.” - -This ended the conversation. A servant of the khan was immediately -called and dispatched with the letter to Malus. Seti himself remained -till he had seen the main effects of his friends put into the hands of -two servants of his own for transference to the Serapeum. It was agreed -that the owners should follow as soon as possible. - -As chance would have it (I confess that I dislike such language on both -scientific and religious grounds), they were not detained long. Their -messenger met Malus at no great distance from the khan; and soon returned -with a spoken message that they should either see or hear from him at the -khan early the coming evening. - -What should they do in the meantime? Aleph consulted his programme of -lectures, and found that Seti was to speak at the third hour in his -course on Comparative Religions—special topic, _The Religion of Egypt_. -They would settle with their landlord and then leisurely find their way -to the lecture. They were curious to hear what the high-priest of Egypt -would say about its religion. Perhaps they would get some light on the -mystery of his position. - -Accordingly, in due time they found themselves in the lecture-room of -the Serapeum. They noticed that the room was fuller than before, and -conjectured that this was owing to the special interest felt in the topic -to be discussed. Seti evidently noticed their presence as he came in and -passed near them to his seat on the dais. - -What follows is a condensed statement of the main points of the -lecture—without the vigorous argument and abundant illustrations by which -these points were supported. - -Seti began with reminding the students that he had in previous lectures -on the origin and history of religion expressed the conviction that its -earliest stage in all countries was monotheism. The evidence of this, he -thought to be especially clear in the case of Egypt. All his researches -had converged on a remote time when the Egyptian temples contained no -visible object of worship; but were dedicated to a single spiritual Being -who was supposed to be the eternal, almighty, and all wise creator of all -things else, and who was to be worshipped by prayer and praise and gifts -and sacrifice. They called Him _Amun Re_. - -How long the popular religion remained at this point is not known. Nor -is it known by any record how a change came to take place. But probably -it was after this manner. Some of the ruder people began to use visible -symbols of the Great Spirit to assist their conception and devotion; and -by degrees their example was copied extensively by the people at large. -The next step was to pass from the worship of the Being symbolized to -the worship of the symbol itself—a thing about as easy as the descent of -rivers to the sea. - -Before long there crept in a new element. The people had all along -believed, as all other nations have done, in a multitude of invisible -beings, intermediate between the Supreme and man in dignity and faculty, -and having more or less influence over human fortunes. These, whether -supposed good or bad, the people gradually came to think it worth while -to propitiate by various services and honors, very much as they were -accustomed to do to the various grades of powerful officials under the -Pharaohs; and in process of time the services and honors given to these -minor but nearer deities grew to overshadow those of _Amun Re_ himself. - -This secondary worship, too, found symbols natural and convenient. Its -objects were invisible beings hard to be conceived of and realized. In -this case the familiar animals of the country were taken as symbols. -Foreigners have sometimes wondered at this, and perhaps with some reason; -but there are not wanting philosophers who say that even the humblest -_living_ creature is a more wonderful object than any dead statue can be, -though of the most precious material and exquisite workmanship; and that -it better represents the wisdom and power of a living spiritual being. -Whatever one may think of the propriety of this animal symbolism, it -was certainly general in Egypt at a very early period. And men went as -naturally from such a symbolism to a worship of the symbols themselves as -they did to sin and death. - -But where, meanwhile, was the priesthood of _Amun Re_? Through all these -changes among the lower orders the higher Egyptian priesthood held fast -the original theory of religion. To them there was still but one God -to whom religious worship should be paid, and He should be worshipped -without symbol. So they resisted the downward drift—resisted it strongly. -But the popular current was too strong for them. And, after long -struggling against it unsuccessfully, they came by degrees to feel that -the lower orders are incapable of worthily grasping and appropriating a -strictly spiritual religion—that the gross thoughts and cares and toils -amid which their lives are necessarily spent make a grosser form of -religion a necessity to them. The heavens are best read and understood -from eminences—how can the stars of the higher truth be seen to advantage -save from the eminences of human life with their culture and leisure -and broad outlook? They cannot. It must not be expected. A spiritual -religion is not for the vulgar. It is too high and sacred for common -handling. It were a profanation of the lofty and holy to put them into -such hands as hold our plows, work our quarries, and embalm our dead. - -These views at first tolerated, then favored, next embraced and -justified, and finally established as a policy and institution, made two -worlds in Egypt, with a great abyss between them, which have continued -down to the present time. On the one hand has been the world of Pharaohs, -priests and philosophers holding fast the primitive religion of Egypt -as a sacred Mystery: on the other hand has been a world of peasants and -idolaters judged unfit for such high knowledge and carefully excluded -from it. - -“Such,” continued Seti, “was the Egypt which I found. Such was the -policy, solid and venerable with the approval and practice of thousands -of years, that I inherited. It was an ungrateful inheritance. I came -early to doubt its wisdom and righteousness; and by the time when power -came into my hands I had made up my mind to resist and forsake it just -as far and fast as possible. I knew that a sudden change was not wisely -possible. I realized that reforms of ancient evils that have become -intertwined with the whole structure of society must be carefully and -gradually made. Else social convulsions will follow. More damage would -come from violent and precipitate measures than would come from the -evil they attack. With the power of an emperor I could not have wisely -abolished the old order of things by edict. - -“All this I felt profoundly. And so when the supreme priesthood came -to me, while I determined to proceed at once and thoroughly to the -great problem of restoring our religion to its primitive purity among -the lower classes, I also determined to proceed cautiously. I labored -to change the views of the priesthood already on the stage. As director -of all the schools for young priests, I sought to shape their education -toward the original order of things. I enlarged as much as possible the -number of the initiated in the higher classes. I took pains (how much -some of you well know) to impress my views on the young men gathered here -for education from all parts of the world—hoping that the truth would -filter down through the upper strata into the lower and the lowest. And, -further, I have persuaded and instructed the priests who deal directly -with the common people to push into the background, more and more, the -secondary deities—to bring to the front, more and more, the Supreme One; -and to insist upon it that there be no worship of the symbols of even -Him, only of the Being symbolized; all to prepare the way for withdrawing -the symbols themselves. - -“I may have been too lingering and indirect in my action. Some of my -friends think as much. It is not easy to judge in such matters. I would -be glad if we could have a Divine Teacher, such as Plato craved, to tell -us with authority exactly what to do. But until He comes (if indeed He -has not already come) we must take the course that seems to promise the -most good with the least harm. Unsuccessful violence on the traditional -religious habits of the people would be likely to give us political and -social convulsions which would be bad enough: successful violence would -be likely to give us general atheism which would be worse. Young men -(and his voice grew graver and more emphatic as his eye went searchingly -around among the earnest faces), Young men, remember that there is -something worse than worshipping Nilus, or the ibis: it is _the not -worshipping at all_.” - -The students now supposed the lecture finished; but after a silence of a -few moments Seti added: - -“Some of you may feel like asking how this course of mine can consist -with the position I hold as head of the Egyptian religion. If an answer -to this is not sufficiently implied in what I have said already, let -me add that I regard myself as being the high-priest of the original -religion of Egypt, according to our ancient institutions; and do not feel -bound to the variations from it that have been mistakenly introduced by -others. Further, in the course I am pursuing I have the approval of most -of those who have always had in charge the religious concerns of the -country—the higher priesthood. And still further, I am not chargeable -with double-dealing—for, as you will bear me witness, I make no secret of -my views and purposes; and my position does not require me to officiate -at the worship of any secondary deity, but only at that of Amun Re -Himself. Even the symbols of Him under the name of Serapis I do not now -use either in public or private. The statue of Him belonging to this -temple has not been before the public for a number of years.” - -This concluded the lecture. But the young men, too much interested in -both the manner and the matter of their teacher to be in any hurry to -get away, were still lingering in their seats, when a young man appeared -at the door and politely asked their attention. He said that he had -been deputed by the Museum to lay a certain complaint before them. It -appeared that a stranger had been received to student matriculation by -the Serapeum without actual testing in athletics. This step was certainly -very unusual, if not wholly unprecedented; and the Museum felt obliged to -complain of it after a fraternal and gentlemanly fashion, and to ask that -the ancient usage of the University may not be violated. - -Publius Cornelius sprang to his feet. “It is, I believe, according to the -ancient usage of the University that the examination which satisfies one -of its departments shall satisfy the other also. I beg to inform Quintius -Metellus that we examined the candidate to whom he refers as to athletic -matters, and were abundantly satisfied with the examination.” - -“Still it appears,” blandly returned the somewhat foppish and fast -looking young Metellus, “that no actual trial of strength and skill was -made; and the Museum cannot but think that if the new-comer is really -deserving of such exceptional treatment he will be willing to content -us with an actual instead of an imaginary testing in the more advanced -athletics. The Museum has presumed on his willingness, and is at this -moment present in a body in your gymnasium awaiting his appearance.” - -“This seems to me,” began P. Cornelius in a tone just a little tinged -with indignation—but Aleph, making a sign to him, interposed: - -“I beg,” said he, “that our president will not press his view. I am quite -willing to content the Museum, and should be sorry to have any feel that -an ancient usage of the University has been unreasonably set aside in my -favor. I hope, therefore, that the Serapeum will yield to the wishes of -the Museum.” - -“This is very satisfactory,” returned Q. Metellus. “But I am also -instructed to say that inasmuch as the social standing of the new student -is unknown to us, it seems to us that the testing should be on the more -gentlemanly accomplishments. This will throw some light on whether he is -entitled to mingle on equal terms with the representatives of the best -families of the empire.” - -“Nonsense!” exclaimed P. Cornelius. “Use your eyes, Metellus!” - -But Aleph gravely said, “I do not object to the new proposition of the -Museum.” - -“One more particular, and I have finished my mission. The Museum also -requests that the testing may be by our professional teachers of -equestrianism and fence. The testing is likely to be more scientifically -done; and if well sustained will be more creditable to the candidate. I -hope he will gratify us also in this particular.” - -“In this particular also,” said Aleph quietly—“assuming that nothing -unfair is intended, and that I shall not be asked to attempt anything -which the trainer is not willing to attempt himself.” - -“This condition is reasonable—do you accept it?” demanded Cornelius. -Receiving a nod of assent, he continued. “Then we will proceed to the -gymnasium—_under protest_. I demur to the whole proceeding. Our new -associate is too compliant. The Museum is extravagant and unreasonable. -It will bear watching—Gentlemen of the Serapeum!” he exclaimed, after -a moment’s pause, “I move you that we invite the venerable Seti to -accompany us to the gymnasium. It will conduce to order and fairness.” - -The suggestion was heartily ratified. - -The gymnasium was near. The fair occupants of the latticed gallery -already mentioned, and of whose presence some faint signs had appeared -during the lecture, had only to remove to the opposite side of the same -large room to command as good a view and almost as good a hearing of what -might pass in the gymnasium as they had been having of the lecture room. -Did they remove? Who knows? Was the Gem of Alexandria, with her lofty -brow and shining eyes, among them? Who knows? Certainly not Aleph the -Chaldean. - -The large court of the temple had been fitted up for athletic exercises. -We need only say in regard to it that it was large enough to inclose a -small hippodrome at the centre; that on the right and left of a broad -passage leading down to this from the main entrance were tiers of movable -seats rising one above another. Those on the left were already occupied -by the Museum in full force when the Serapeum came crowding in and took -the seats on the right. Then appeared Seti and took the seat of honor -in the middle of the passage. Last of all came P. Cornelius and our two -friends. These walked down at once to the edge of the hippodrome, when -Cimon took a seat on the right, and Aleph and Cornelius remained standing— - -Before a man, who, a long whip in hand, was holding at full length the -rein of a superb looking horse with a riding cloth strapped upon him. - -“What do you wish?” said Aleph to the trainer in equestrianism. - -“Handle this Arabian in all ways—mount, trot around the course, canter -and gallop, maintain your seat under shouts and the hissing of this whip.” - -“Has this horse any peculiarities?” asked Cornelius. - -“This the stranger is to find out for himself,” said the trainer gruffly. - -“The animal has the eye of a demon,” continued Cornelius; “and it is -agreed between the Museum and us that you, Beco, are not to ask my friend -to do what you are not willing to undertake yourself. So I now ask you to -mount—in short, do yourself what you ask from him.” - -“I am here to examine, not to be examined,” and the man shrugged his -shoulders and tried, unsuccessfully, to look amused. - -“Do you refuse?” demanded Cornelius. - -“I refuse to be tested myself; I am not a candidate for matriculation,” -was the surly reply. - -Cornelius looked anxiously around, and seeing the trainer of the Serapeum -standing not far away, he beckoned to him; and on his approach conferred -with him in a low voice for a moment. - -“It is as I thought,” he then cried out so that all could hear; -“our own equestrian trainer judges this animal to be vicious and -dangerous—evidently so dangerous that he would not himself venture to -attempt mounting him. I appeal to the University against such unfairness!” - -No notice was taken of this appeal; for by this time both Serapeum and -Museum were watching with breathless interest the proceedings of Aleph. - -After his first words to the trainer he seemed to take no notice of what -others were doing. His whole attention was absorbed by the formidable -animal before him. Soon he stepped forward to the side of Beco, and stood -there for a few moments looking steadily into the flaming eyes of the -horse. Then he silently took the rein into his hand and motioned Beco -with his whip into the background. There they stood alone for a while, -confronting each other—the soul of the man looking out of his eyes, -and the soul of the brute looking out of his—the one calm, confident, -masterful; the other brimful of willfulness, resistance, determination, -passion, and malignity. Each of them seemed to be asking the other, -_Which of us shall be master?_ - -Aleph began to draw gently on the rein. The horse showed his teeth, -champed his bit, struck the ground fiercely with his forefoot, seemed on -the point of springing on his enemy. But Aleph gave not the slightest -sign of apprehension. Not the smallest movement that looked toward -self-protection was apparent. On the contrary, he advanced a step, and, -if possible, his attitude grew firmer, his port more commanding, and his -eyes shot out their rays into the brute eyes with a still more confident -majesty. He saw the fierce eyes before him beginning to soften, to waver. -He advanced another step. He laid his hand softly on the thin, quivering -nostrils. He began to speak—meanwhile caressing with a gentle hand the -soft nostril, the long forelock, the tapering ears. - -“You are one of ten thousand—finely formed, powerfully built, full of -grace and strength and spirit. A steed for a warrior! But you are not an -Arabian. Parthia was your mother. And you are as wild as the wildest of -the Parthians. I do not think that you have ever felt the weight of a -man. You have been bitted, but never ridden. You have been mismanaged and -abused till you think every man an enemy. It is a mistake. You have at -last found a friend. Now we understand each other—do we not?” - -The noble head had begun to droop toward the soothing tones when Aleph, -putting both arms with the rein over it, drew it gently still lower, -patted it, patted the heavy mane, patted the proud arch of the neck, -patted the shapely flank, patted the royal curve of the back, patted that -royal curve with both hands—a moment more was _seated_ upon it, rein in -hand. - -What a bound there was then! The demon that had been cast out came back -seven-folded. But the horse seemed to think that he had a demon on his -back instead of within him. He sprang into the air with such suddenness -and violence that one would have thought him thunderstruck into a -resolution to forsake the earth at once and forever in favor of a higher -sphere. Then followed a rapid succession of pyrotechnic struggles, in -which was tried every sort of device and movement, save that of falling, -known to a horse, to free himself from his burden. Such mighty wrath; -such desperate and frenzied exertions; such shakings and strikings and -kickings and rearings and plungings, and at last such runnings away, had -not been seen since the days of Bucephalus. But during it all Aleph sat -as if a part of the animal, with no strain whatever on the rein, merely -watchfully accommodating himself to the various movements of which he -seemed to have some secret intelligence in advance: and when the running -began he only used the rein to guide it according to the round of the -arena. This was no easy matter—the speed was so great and the round so -small. Whether he would be able to prevent the headlong courser from -dashing through the seats occupied by the Museum was so doubtful to -those in the front seats that they instinctively made a great outcry and -flourish of canes at the flying centaur. This added, if possible, new -wings to the flight: but Aleph so skillfully combined the use of the rein -with limb-pressure and flexions that the round was safely made three -times. The quadruped hurricane then stopped of his own accord at the -starting point—all in a tremble and covered with foam. - -Aleph sprang from his back, caught up a large cloth that lay near, gently -wiped off the sweat from the trembling animal, patted and stroked and -soothed him with hand and voice till he ceased to tremble. - -Then taking his stand a little in front, he beckoned and called. The -horse instantly walked up to him. He laid his hand on the mane, both -hands; they grew heavier and heavier, and still the animal stood -motionless. A moment more and Aleph was again mounted and pacing slowly -around the course. Arrived at the starting point, he again dismounted, -tightened the band that confined the riding cloth, and then in a very -leisurely way resumed his seat. - -“Now, friend Parthia, shall we trot?” A gentle shake of the rein and -Parthia trotted around the course with a free and stately action. - -“Now, friend Parthia, shall we see what you can do in the way of the -ornamental?” By this time the steed had recovered his strength and -spirit; and in perfect obedience to rein and foot he curveted and pranced -and caracoled about the arena after a most wonderful fashion. But the -greatest wonder was not the horse, but the horseman. Such unaffected -simplicity, ease, and repose of manner! With what grace and even majesty -he carried himself! As he went his last round with the sunshine on his -royal face and the steed stepping as proudly under him as if he knew that -he carried a royal burden—ah, _such_ a shout went up from Serapeum and -Museum both! Aleph happened to look up and lo, on one side of the arena, -high up in the Serapeum, latticed windows were all open and bright faces -and forms were leaning out waving snowy veils. The ladies of Alexandria, -relying on the absorption of the students, and perhaps forgetting -themselves in the intense interest of the scene, had gradually pushed the -lattice aside for the sake of a better view: and when Aleph looked up and -saw them he saw also a bouquet of flowers in the air, and a fair hand -that had just parted with it, and a glorious face that he knew behind the -hand. The horse sprang to meet the descending token; and as Aleph caught -it in his hand, he, as gallant knights should always do, bowed low, even -to the horse’s mane. - -“Who owns this animal, thou villain?” exclaimed Cornelius, with some fire -in his voice and more in his eyes, to the trainer. - -The man tapped the ground uneasily with his whip, and was silent. - -Turning to the students, Cornelius cried, “Whoever was the owner of -this horse when he came here has forfeited his claim. Let us declare -it forfeited to the University, and present the animal to Aleph, the -Chaldean, to be kept at our expense; and if the original owner dares to -claim him let us prosecute the wretch before the courts for intent to -kill one of us.” - -Said Metellus, “I approve of that. It seems to me that it would be a -crime against society to reward the man for his crime by replacing a -horse worth considerably less than nothing by one worth a thousand gold -staters. May I ask what the venerable Seti thinks?” - -The venerable Seti thought that under the circumstances the horse had a -right to choose his own master—that in fact he had already chosen, and -chosen well. He should have free keeping in the stalls of the Serapeum as -long as his master should choose. - -The students ratified lustily. - -In the meantime Aleph had dismounted and stood holding the rein over one -arm, while the other was thrown caressingly over the arched neck of the -horse. As he gave the rein to a servant of the Serapeum who now presented -himself he said: - -“I am glad if the Museum regards the trial thus far as satisfactory. But -there remains another trial to which they have asked me to submit—that by -their teacher of fence. For this I am now ready”—and the flowers which -till now he had held in his hand he secured under his girdle. - -Then up spake Cornelius again. “I cannot but think that the Museum is -thoroughly satisfied already with the justice of our matriculation. And -to ask a young man after such exertions as we have seen to pit himself -against a fresh man and a famous professional seems to me wonderfully -unreasonable. Besides, what has occurred suggests the idea of bad faith -somewhere. Of course the Museum does not mean anything of the sort; but -in my opinion they are being made tools of by somebody who has a deadly -purpose to serve. Unless Draco of Rhodes is a better and fairer man than -Beco the Roman, he can be hired to commit a murder.” - -“It must be confessed,” said Q. Metellus, who had come forward and was -now standing by the side of Cornelius, “that the Museum has made but a -sorry show here to-day, either as a tool or worse; and I should not much -blame P. Cornelius if he had taken a worse view of us than he does. We -have had a most instructive time, but no thanks to the Museum for it. We -were trapped into it. For my part I disclaim all fellowship with Beco -and his proceedings; and if I could think it possible that another such -scoundrel could be found attached to the Museum I should be tempted to -forsake it for cleaner quarters. If I should wish the examination to -proceed further it would be solely for the purpose of vindicating our -good name and showing that Beco is the only devil among us.” - -On this arose another young man among the benches of the Museum who -commended in a general sort of way the remarks of Metellus; but then said -that the Museum had formally taken the ground that it was not proper to -take any accomplishment for granted, saving as the higher includes the -lower. It would not only be inconsistent but an unfortunate precedent -should they leave the testing incomplete. To be sure, the young man who -calls himself Aleph the Chaldean has borne himself well thus far; still -he might wholly fail under the remaining test. Certainly the Museum, -however well satisfied at present, would be better satisfied if the whole -plan agreed upon should be carried out. He did not anticipate another -Beco in Draco. No doubt Draco would be forbearing with the young man, and -would only tax him enough to make a reasonable trial of his skill in the -gentlemanly art of fence. For this purpose no dangerous weapons need be -used—only the open hands. As the candidate did not seem to be at all worn -by what he had done, let him have a chance to win new laurels from Draco -of Rhodes. - -Some of the Museum applauded. - -“But Euphemes of Corinth should consider,” began P. Cornelius; but Aleph -laid his hand on his arm and said, “Excuse me, my friend.” - -Then turning toward the Museum, he added in a voice that had in it a -touch of humor as well as several touches of decision, “I beg that -the Museum may be gratified by the complete carrying out of the plan -they have proposed. I do not ask for exceptions in my favor, either -from my fellow students or from your teacher of fence. Let him do his -best—provided he deal fairly and honorably.” - -This settled the matter, though Cornelius and some others, especially of -the Serapeum, looked and muttered discontent. “It is too bad. Talk of -fairness and honor in connection with such a desperado as Draco! Depend -upon it there is some wickedness in the wind. When such a fellow comes to -the front the gods retire.” - -And he _was_ a formidable figure to look at, as he presented himself in -the arena. A man of unusual stature and weight, with prodigious muscular -development about the arms and chest, but without obesity and with every -appearance of activity as well as of strength. His face was the worst -part of him—shaggy, coarse, hard, cruel, with protuberant blood-shot -eyes out of which looked all the passions save fear and pity—the whole -made more repulsive by a large swelling on one cheek which Aleph well -understood. - -To this forbidding figure Aleph walked down (followed at a little -distance by Cornelius and Metellus) and stood before him with folded arms -and investigating eyes. - -Draco proceeded to pass his hands across the shoulders and chest of the -young man; felt of his arms; took their length; inspected his hands; -stood off a little distance to observe the limbs and general build. - -“Very well to begin upon. I think I could make something of you. Not -quite enough like Mars, however.” Then, taking the attitude of a boxer, -he said, “Now deliver some blows at me with your open hand.” - -Aleph made certain strokes which were more remarkable for the freedom and -grace with which they were delivered than for anything else, and which -Draco found no difficulty in parrying. None of them were aimed at the -face; but once the low stroke was so struck up by Draco in the parrying -that the hand touched the swollen cheek. Draco’s eyes flashed. - -In this preliminary bout it became evident to Aleph, from the force and -direction of the parrying, that Draco was aiming to disable as well as to -parry. His wards were strokes—his defense an attack. - -“Now take your turn at parry,” said Draco with a subtle menace lurking in -both eye and voice. - -Aleph saw that the time had come when he would need all his watchfulness. -He erected himself to a fuller stature. His feet and limbs set themselves -into new firmness. His eye took on new openness and intensity without -losing anything of its characteristic repose. He had hardly made this -instinctive preparation before the blows began to come—at first with some -show of tentativeness and moderation, but, as they were warded off, they -returned with ever increasing heat and force, and gradually came to be -aimed exclusively at the head. Now it was the mouth, now the eye, now -the temple. He seemed bent on at least marring the manly beauty before -him, and which contrasted so strangely with his own coarse and brutal -features. Gradually the open palm became the knotted fist. Gradually the -knotted fist came as fast and fiercely as the whole passionate force of -the man could wield it. - -Through the whole of this impetuous hail storm, Aleph kept strictly on -the defensive. His whole work was parrying. Was not this in the bond? -Of course his hands were full of occupation—his feet also when Draco -began to shift positions and at length attacked him on whatever side and -from whatever direction he could. Aleph hardly had time to wonder at the -headlong ferocity of the storm that was discharging itself upon him. - -“_Stop!_” cried Cornelius. “This is fighting, not examining. _Stop!_ I -say—this is intolerable.” - -But Draco paid no attention. The glare of a tiger was in his eyes. His -face was that of a fiend. - -“Shall I quit the defensive?” inquired Aleph in a low voice to Cornelius -and Metellus—as he gained a moment’s respite by a spring to one side. - -“Do so!” they both exclaimed. “He means to kill you.” - -Then was a sight worth seeing. Then the youth fairly awoke. Then his -whole frame began to work with the supreme grace and force of some -mighty machine. It was Apollo turned to Mars, or rather to Jupiter Tonans -himself—so wonderfully sovereign and commanding became his aspect. And -perhaps the most impressive thing about it was the mysterious repose and -utter self-possession that sat on thrones in every feature. - -Compared with his movements now, all his former ones were mere pastime. -It was sublime to see such a face, such a figure, such a blending of all -the poetries of expression and motion. He still parried, but every parry -was followed by a blow delivered. Swifter and stronger flew that young -hand. He, too, could be swift and mighty—he, too, could press, now on -this side and now on that, and again, seemingly, on all sides at once. -And yet his breathing was unhurried—there seemed in him endless reserves -of strength and battle. - -“Immortal gods! how he handles himself,” exclaimed young men as they -stood on their benches and watched breathlessly. - -Almost as soon as the defensive became the aggressive, a severe -stroke on his swollen cheek warned Draco that he must begin to look -to self-preservation. He could no longer give his whole attention to -assault. He became vividly sensible of the great change that had taken -place in the aspect and bearing of his antagonist. He saw how cool and -collected he was—how perfectly master of himself. The sight angered him, -made him furious. He would have given his life for one fair demolishing -stroke on the young man on whom as yet he had not been able to fasten -a single bruise. But scant time had he now for even such flashes of -thinking. He had all he could do to ward off the blows that came so -mightily and swiftly, and yet with a certain deliberate terribleness -and ease that seemed to say that such could be delivered forever. Soon -another blow passed his ward and reached the cheek hitherto untouched. -But it was with the palm of the hand. Was Aleph affecting to be -forbearing and merciful to him who had never given mercy nor needed it? -Was he, like some perverse boy, being cuffed into good behavior? The -thought was intolerable. That a youngster of a score of summers should be -sparing him—conquering him with even something less than his utmost, was -agony. And yet that was what everybody could now see was bound to happen. -It was plain to see that Draco was waning and that Aleph was waxing. -The sweat was dropping freely from the face of the one; the brow of the -other was not perceptibly moist. Spectators could see that the young man -often voluntarily neglected advantages that the passion and precipitation -of his adversary gave him, and was seeking to close the contest with as -little damage and mortification to him as possible. After one of these -plain forbearances he said to Draco in a low voice: - -“Need this go on? Say that you are satisfied with the examination and we -will stop just here. You have for some time been in my power.” - -For answer the infuriated man leaped at him with the expression of a -fiend, and tried to throw his arms about him and bear him to the ground. -So sudden and violent was the movement that Aleph eluded it with some -difficulty; but he did it, and, in passing, dealt the ill-balanced man a -blow that felled him to the ground. He lay motionless. - -“He is not injured—only stunned,” said Aleph to Cornelius and Metellus -as they came up. They looked at the speaker and wondered. Not a blow -appeared to have reached him. There was no visible disarrangement of -his dress even. The flowers at his girdle were still in place. And the -supremely cool and masterful look that had presided through the whole -contest was still sitting in full glory on its throne. - -The issue had been anticipated by the students for some time; but their -breathless interest in watching the conflict had kept them from any -general vocal expression. But now there was _such_ an uproar—such a -waving of canes and caps, such stamping and clapping and lung-rending -huzzaing as a thousand frenzied young men could make, and such as the old -Serapeum had not known for many a day, if ever. Did Seti make any effort -to suppress or moderate? Not he. Some even go so far as to say that he -was seen unconsciously keeping time to the uproar with his foot. Others -say (and I am disposed to think they are right) that he sat as motionless -as the statue of Memnon, sat as if in a dream, till the tumult had -somewhat subsided. Then he held up his hand. Silence at once reigned. - -“Young men of the Museum! I cannot think that any considerable number of -you have been knowingly concerned in this conspiracy. Were it otherwise -it would be to the eternal disgrace of the University, and especially -of your part of it. I prefer to think, and _do_ think, that you have -been victims. You could not have supposed that it was intended to assail -the very life of a young man under pretense of testing his athletic -accomplishments. You have been misled and deceived by somebody. I leave -you to find out who inspired and contrived this whole thing. It is -necessary for your good name. And I shall not wonder if you decline -henceforth to have anything to do with these two professional trainers -who have allowed themselves to be used for murderous purposes. - -“Perhaps some, if not all, of you have thought it strange that I did not -interfere to break off this contest when its true character became plain. -I was on the point of doing so several times: but as I looked at the -young man I seemed to see in his whole bearing such abundant promise of -a successful issue that I felt it would be a wrong to all of you young -men to keep from you an inspiring example, and a wrong to him to keep him -from the honor to which he is so justly entitled.” - -“The venerable Seti is right,” cried Metellus. “We of the Museum are no -better than we should be; but we are not sunk so low as to take part in a -plot against the life or limb of a stranger who has done us no harm—much -less against a member of our own University. We have been imposed upon. -We supposed that nothing but a reasonable and safe testing was intended: -we even supposed that less danger would attend it under our trainers than -would naturally belong to an emulative contest between students. - -“It would be a farce for me,” he continued, “to ask the Museum to vote -as to whether the examination of the candidate has been satisfactory. -There is not one of us but would throw his cap to the moon in token of -approval. Of course we adopt the hero into the Museum by a thunder of -silent acclamation. We have seen something to-day to tell to the old -folks at home—something to tell to our children,” he added smiling. And -then with a graver face and a graver tone he went on, “And somehow -I feel as if I should go away from this place a truer and worthier -man for what we have seen to-day. I had heard of magnanimity before; -to-day I have seen it. And I like it. Heroism is good, but heroism with -righteousness is better. I see that it is possible to come down on a -great deed, which is even better than rising to meet it. - -“But though the Museum does not need to vote approval of Aleph the -Chaldean (what a ridiculous thing it would be!), I think we owe it to -ourselves to act on the suggestion of the venerable Seti; to express -formally our condemnation of these villains (the one lying here where he -ought to lie, and the other standing yonder dangling a whip which ought -to make many a weal across his own back) and their prompters, whoever -they may be. Have we any further need of the services of trainers who are -themselves trained by the infernals? I think not. Those agreeing with me -will stretch out their hands.” - -As far as Metellus could see, every right hand was lifted. - -What congratulations were showered on Aleph, how cordial and admiring -both Serapeum and Museum seemed, how profuse the latter were in their -disclaimers and apologies and promises to unearth the whole plot, and how -modestly Aleph carried himself under it all, I will not attempt to set -down in detail. - -“Come with me,” said Seti to our friends, as the students broke up, “and -I will show you your new quarters.” On the way they told him of their -arrangement to meet Malus at the khan in the evening, but promised to -return immediately after to the Serapeum. At the door of their apartments -a servant met them and said to the priest that his granddaughter was in -her sedan at the gate and wished to see him. Would he come at once? She -was looking very pale and ill. Seti at once threw open the door, bade -them enter and be at home, and hastened after the servant. - -He did not appear again that day. Very likely he went home with Rachel. -And very likely Aleph would have followed in the course of the afternoon, -had not Cimon happened to mention that he overheard a student saying -that news had just come that the emperor had asked the daughter of the -Alabarch in marriage for his nephew and heir Germanicus, and that the -visit of the Alabarch to Rome had reference to this overture. “Perhaps,” -added Cimon, “this is what has disturbed her.” - -“She would never marry a pagan,” said Aleph decidedly. - -“Perhaps Germanicus is such a pagan as her grandfather,” returned Cimon. -“He is said to be a very promising young man, and the son of excellent -parents; and no doubt the Jewish elders will be greatly in favor of an -alliance that promises to secure and advance their interests so greatly. -They will remember Queen Esther.” - -Aleph made no answer—unless the silent one of drawing out the knot of -flowers from his girdle and setting them carefully with water in a vase -which he had discovered in the room. But _was_ this an answer? If so, -it certainly was not a very clear one. Did it say _No_ to Cimon? Did it -say that his suggestions were not as weighty as they might be? Did it -merely say that the rare and lovely flowers were worth preserving for a -day or two on their own account—whether they came from a future empress -of Rome or not? Or did the _heart_ of the young man really speak in -the act without consulting his judgment—as hearts sometimes do? I am at -a loss. Such Delphic conduct is very embarrassing. Why will people put -interpreters to so much trouble? If I had been Aleph I would have—but no -matter what I would have done. What does the public care? - - - - -XI. - -THE TREMBLING. - - Κρεισσον δε νοσειν η θεραπευειν. - - —EURIPIDES, _Hipp._ 177. - - _Better to be sick than to act the part of a nurse._ - - 1. How could you! - 2. Lazarus, come forth! - 3. Empress of the West? - 4. Sympathetic advice. - - - - -XI. - -THE TREMBLING. - - -Seti found Rachel sitting in her sedan and looking more like collapsed -alabaster than a human being—her eyes closed, every trace of color gone -from her cheek, and yet with an expression that told of a desperate -struggle for self-mastery. - -She opened her eyes as she felt Seti’s hand on her arm. - -“O grandfather, how _could_ you allow that dreadful combat to go on!” - -“What, have you then been a witness of it all? I had forgotten that it -was possible. My poor child—it was indeed too much for any lady, save a -Roman accustomed to a Roman arena!” - -“I had no idea of what was coming when I went over to the other side of -the gallery with the rest. And they pressed me to the best window for -seeing and hearing: once there I was under a spell. I could not tear -myself away. I felt obliged to see and hear though I died in the act. -Every sense was acute beyond anything I can remember. Oh how I suffered -at the earlier stages of that last conflict! It seemed as if I could -neither stay nor get away. It was awful. I was amazed that my companions -did not seem to mind the scene as I did. Why did you not interfere?” - -“I hardly understand why, myself. But probably it was the confidence -which the whole bearing of the young man, and his superb physique, in -which he surpasses all I have ever known—probably it was the confidence -that these inspired that he would be more than equal to the occasion. -Still, now that it is all over, I wonder at myself somewhat.” - -“But suppose that brute of a horse, or that greater brute of a man, had -killed him? I shudder to think of it. I had no idea that anything could -have shaken me so.” She closed her eyes and involuntarily trembled. - -“But,” she added in a moment, “this is not all. I received this morning -from my mother a letter which moved me greatly and perhaps unfitted me -to bear the scene in the palæstra as well as did the other young ladies. -Between the two I feel too weak to go home alone: besides, I want your -counsel. Can you not go with me?” - -Seti went with her. - -The following is a copy of the letter—omitting the usual epistolary -preliminaries—which Seti read and pondered that afternoon: - -“My dear Rachel, you know how little I thought of remaining in Jerusalem -till now. But our relative Nicodemus has been urgent, and such great -things have been happening here that I have felt more like sending for -you and your father to come to me than like returning home. - -“My dear daughter, you doubtless have wondered that hitherto I have said -so little in my letters of Jesus of Nazareth (as he is called here), -though you have seemed so anxious to hear about him. The fact is that the -ideas of the Messiah to which I have been accustomed and which are held -by the chief people here, have made it hard for me to feel my way to a -definite and settled opinion; and I have been unwilling to write much on -a subject in regard to which my mind was in so confused and uncertain -a state. But I have at last—after much prayer, and much study of the -prophets, and much inquiry of credible witnesses, as well as some seeing -with my own eyes—come to see my way clearly. Yes, my dear daughter, I do -indeed feel sure at last that Jesus is our long-expected Messiah. If the -proofs of this which he furnishes are not sufficient it seems impossible -to prove anything. Even Moses himself did not more clearly establish his -Divine mission. - -“Nicodemus has helped me not a little. He is a very cautious man—I think -somewhat too cautious and slow; as is not unnatural to one who has so -much to lose—but at home he makes no secret of his conviction that it -is impossible to account for the wonderful deeds of Jesus save on the -supposition that God is with him. I hope this influential man will soon -get courage to speak out. - -“When I came here I found the reality of Jesus’s miracles admitted; and, -after I had learned the character of his life and teaching, I did not -see how they could be accounted for reasonably by the magical art and -evil spirits. But I have lately fallen in with some of his disciples, -and especially with some friends of his at Bethany, who have given me -a more clear and connected view of his doings and teachings than I had -before. At Bethany I met the mother of Jesus—a wonderful woman, whom -to see and hear is to believe. In answer to my inquiries, she told of -the strangest possible events preceding and following the birth of -Jesus—of an angelic annunciation, of a Divine conception, of the birth -at Bethlehem, of shepherds sent by a glory of angels to worship the -child, of a caravan of princes from the far east who came, star-guided, -to do him homage, of a flight to Egypt, of their return on the death of -Herod to live at Nazareth in Galilee till Jesus was thirty years old, -of how good and holy he was during all those years, so that she never -saw a fault in him, though much that was mysterious. She had sometimes -felt oppressed by the mystery which always hung about him like a silver -veil, but through which occasionally struggled gleams of a Divine majesty -and power. As time rolled on, and the child had long since become the -mature man, she wondered that so many years were allowed to pass before -his making any public movement. But she knew that it would come in due -time: God would be as good as His word; such preparations and heralding -would not be an idle flourish and make-believe. Then she went on to tell -me about his forerunner and baptism and first miracle near three years -ago; and of the many miracles she had seen since. While listening to his -teaching, she had been quite as much astonished at his wisdom as she had -been at his power. It was a very strange feeling the mother had when she -found herself looking up to her son as being immeasurably above her in -everything. Still she rejoiced in the fact with a sort of awful joy. - -“As she told me all these things there was so much simplicity and -truthfulness, as well as intelligence, shining in her face and whole -manner, that I could not but accept her testimony. Then how I wanted to -see _him_! This I had never done until a few days ago. And it was in this -way: - -“Have I said that the house in Bethany where I saw Mary the mother of -Jesus was the house of one Lazarus and his two sisters? One day when I -was there Lazarus complained of feeling unwell. The sisters, Mary and -Martha, did some trifling thing for him and thought no more of it. But, -instead of improving, he grew worse. A leech was called in. Still the -brother grew worse. Day by day the shadows deepened, until at last the -leech himself confessed that he could do no more. Then the sisters said, -‘Though the leeches cannot help Lazarus, there is one who can;’ and they -immediately sent off a messenger to Jesus, who was then in Galilee. Day -after day passed and still no Jesus came. Meanwhile the sick man pined -and wasted, and the home and hearts grew darker and darker, and at last -the leech said there was no hope. No, no hope in _him_, or such as he, -but still hope in Jesus that he would bring or send help. Can it be that -he will suffer his friend to die?—he who has cured all sorts of diseases -for all sorts of persons with whom he had no special tie?—I was there and -saw the struggle between hope and despair: saw despair finally triumph as -last words were spoken, as the breath came gaspingly, as the light faded -from the eye and the pulse from the wrist and—he was gone. Close his -eyes, O friends; straighten out the stiffening limbs; let the mourning -women come! Lazarus is dead—_dead_. - -“The sisters gave themselves up to their grief. They refused to be -comforted. They could not understand that dreadful silence. Had the -seemingly inexhaustible fountains of power and helpfulness really given -out? At all events, all was now over. Nothing remained but to bury their -dead, and wait with streaming eyes and broken hearts for their own turns -to come. And the sooner they should come the better. - -“So the dead was buried, the lament made, and the sisters sat down with -despair for companion in a home where midnight had come in place of -midday. Some of us sat with them as much as we could—holding their hands -in silent sympathy. What could words do in such a case! We answered their -groans with a pressure of the hand. We followed their tears with our own. -Every now and then, amid their tears and groans, they exclaimed, ‘If he -had been here our brother had not died—had not died.’ - -“So three days wore away—carrying with them what little was left of the -light in their eyes and the color in their cheeks. On the fourth day, -while I was sitting with them, some one came in and whispered to Martha. -She at once rose and hastened out. But Mary sat still—not even appearing -to notice the departure of her sister. So we continued sitting. But it -was not long before Martha returned with flurried haste, and with an -expression on her face that seemed like the first faint gray of dawn on -the edge of a black bank of clouds. Mary started up at a whisper from -her, and with something of the same expression on her face followed her -out. We followed, too; for we thought that our sympathetic presence at -the grave where we supposed they were going might still be helpful to the -stricken sisters. - -“And now, my dear daughter, prepare to read something wonderful. My hand -trembles as I proceed to write it; and sometimes when I have thought of -it such an awe has come over me that I could not have then written at -all. But my nerves are now steadier. Behold what happened! - -“As we neared the cave where Lazarus had been laid away, we saw a -group of men. Mary darted forward and threw herself at the feet of one -of them. Then I understood it all. Jesus and his disciples had at last -come. I did not need to hear her say, ‘Lord, if thou hadst been here my -brother had not died;’ for, as I looked with all my eyes of both body -and mind, on the face that was looking down so compassionately on the -weeping woman, I saw at once the original of the picture that his mother -had made for me. I never had seen such a face. I do not expect ever to -see another like it. I do not speak of its beauty, though beauty was not -wanting; nor of its majesty, though majesty was not wanting; but of a -mysterious something that seemed to lie back of and shine dimly through -the comeliness and the kingliness—a power behind the throne greater than -the throne itself; more beautiful than the beauty, more majestic than -the majesty; a certain something so pure, so wise, so mighty, and yet -so loving and pitiful, that Divinity himself seemed looking through the -windows of flesh. This was how he seemed to me. It may be that he does -not make the same impression on all; indeed, I know that he does not. -And even to me, while I looked, there was a sensible coming and going -of the Divine expression—like a rapid flowing and ebbing on the strand -of a boundless sea of mingled fire and foam. Nay, while I was absorbed -in watching him the Infinite seemed to sweep back and back, and at last -disappeared altogether—leaving nothing but the purely human. But oh, what -a human! The sands laid bare were pure gold. So gentle, so tender, so -sympathetic as his tearful eyes rested on the tearful people—a frightened -dove or hind would have taken refuge in his bosom. Mary evidently took -refuge there. - -“‘Where have you laid him?’ said the most sympathetic voice in the world. - -“‘Come and see,’ said the sisters; and led the way to one of the tombs -close by. The cave was wrought into the brow of a hill, and was closed by -a door against which rested a large stone. - -“‘Take away the stone,’ said Jesus; and as he spake I seemed to see the -Infinite coming back into his face with a mighty rush and completely -covering the merely human out of sight. - -“We were breathless with expectation. - -“He stood for a moment with eyes uplifted and lips that moved—as if -communing with the sky. Then, in a voice that had in it such a commanding -quality, such a tone of unquestioned and unquestionable supremacy as I -had never before noticed in any voice, and which seemed able to speak a -world out of nothing, he cried: - -“‘LAZARUS, COME FORTH!’ - -“Would the dead hear? I _knew_ he would hear. The voice itself predicted -a resurrection; and I felt in every fibre of my being that almightiness -was present and failure impossible. And yet how intently I gazed on the -door of that tomb—how intently I listened for some sound from within! He -scarcely had done speaking, when, sure enough, there was within the cave -a stir, a rustle, a _step_. Another moment and the heavy door swung open, -as of itself, and a man in grave-clothes appeared. The swathing bands -were still about his hands and feet—the napkin was still about his face. - -“‘Loose him and let him go!’ bade Jesus. - -“The people obeyed, and lo, our friend Lazarus of old! Not the -fever-stricken, delirium-haunted, emaciated Lazarus of a few days ago, -who could not have stood on his feet without being wholly supported; -but the Lazarus of his best days, able to go and come and do with the -best. Also, looking as he did then, but with a difference. The mystery -of the unseen was in his face. He seemed in possession of vast secrets. -With this was a look, first of bewilderment and surprise, then of -recognition—recognition of him whose potential word had brought him back -to the world. He knelt at the feet of Jesus, and kissed his hand—as men -do homage to their king. _His_ King had come. - -“Any doubt whether the death was real? Not to those who, like myself, had -seen the sick man decline from day to day until the last feeble breath -was drawn and the body grew cold and stiff. Not to those who prepared the -body for burial and carried it forth to the tomb. Not to those who stood -by the cave-mouth when the door swung back, four days after; nor to those -who took off from the living man the cerements of the dead. The smell of -death could not be mistaken. No, there is no doubt. - -“Since then I have seen Jesus several times, and have talked with him. -And I _know_ that he is our Messiah. Would that you and your grandfather -and all the dear family could see and hear him too! I feel that you all -would, and must, judge as I do. Both my eyes and my heart recognize him. -I seem to know him by a new internal sense. - -“Not so, however, our chief men. He does not impress them as he does -me. They are getting exceedingly bitter against him. Every new wonder -increases their exasperation. I am ashamed to say it—but I have no -doubt that they would gladly take his life. It must be that they are -judicially blinded; or, if not, that an evil mood of the heart and will -wonderfully hinders perception in religious matters. - -“I would like to say more; but I hope to see you soon, and to make you -a joyful sharer of my faith by a fuller account of what I have seen and -heard. - -“But what is this that I hear? Hints come to me almost daily about you -and the great alliance. And yet you said nothing about it in your last. -Just before he left for Rome, your father wrote me that the emperor had -made proposals for you in behalf of his nephew and heir; and that this -was partly the occasion of his going to Rome. I hope that you will speak -freely in your next. I can see what great advantage to our people, not -to say to all peoples, might come from such an alliance; especially as I -hear the best things said of the young Cæsar. He is said to be like his -excellent father. Is it possible that a daughter of mine will become more -than a second Esther?” - -Such was the letter—omitting the usual formalities of beginning and -ending. While Seti was reading it, Rachel kept her eyes fastened -anxiously on his face—especially as he approached the end. When at last -he looked up, she came and stood before him and put a hand on each -shoulder and looked beseechingly into his eyes. - -“Grandfather, had you known of this before?” - -Seti slowly bowed his head. - -“Why did not my father tell me?” - -“Perhaps he did not want to agitate you unnecessarily—perhaps he wanted -to see the young man and make inquiries about him, and learn more fully -from the emperor himself all that was implied in the proposals before -allowing you to be troubled with the matter. You see it was possible that -such inquiries might show it best to decline the offer without its coming -before you at all.” - -“Grandfather, let it _never_ come before me. In advance, I put it away -from me with both hands.” And then suddenly: “Do you think father would -be willing to sacrifice me, I do not say to ambition, for I know him -incapable of that, but to what he thinks to be the interests of his -people?” - -“I think,” said Seti slowly, “that he might be willing to sacrifice -himself for such an object, but would feel that he has no right to -sacrifice you. Sacrifices of this sort must be voluntary.” - -“Then I am safe,” she exclaimed, “for my will is all another way, and it -has passed beyond my control. If a victim is needed for our people, let -father lay me on an altar of stone or earth, as did our father Abraham -his son Isaac, and I will die by his hand gladly; but to die all my life -long on such an altar as Tiberius—this is beyond my power, even for the -good of Israel. It seems to me an awful wickedness. I abhor the very -thought of it.” - -“And so do I,” said Seti. “I do not believe in doing evil that good may -come, pagan though I——” (she put her hand over his mouth). “But they say -that Germanicus is not a Tiberius, but is like his father, who was among -the very best of the Romans, both in character and accomplishments; and -is it not just possible that if the young man should come here in person -to plead his own cause you would——” - -“I would _not_, grandfather; if he should come to me with his head -weighted with all the diadems that ever were worn, and with all the -personal accomplishments that ever managed to flourish on a heathen, I -would turn my back upon him. There, now! Bear witness, ye heavens!” - -“I think I understand you,” replied Seti, after a moment. “I feel very -much as you do about this matter, heathen though——” (she again hurried -her hand to his mouth). “But do not speak in this way to others. I see -that the matter is getting abroad, and you will be likely to get hints, -inquiries, counsels, congratulations from many quarters. Take refuge in -silence. By all means do not look like an empress, and an angry one, as -you did just now. You shall not be crowded into the imperial throne for -the sake of Israel, or for any other sake.” - -She kissed him for answer; laid her head on his bosom; and, exhausted, -went to sleep as he softly stroked her shapely head. So he sat and held -her in his arms till the day was spent, and the old moon in the arms of -the new looked in at the casement, and saw the new moon in the arms of -the old. And those moons aloft that are never weary, and worried, and -worn, shed tears over the sublunary ones whose lot is so different—tears -which the very early risers in Alexandria, the next morning, mistook for -dew. They were plain people; and, like most in University towns, were not -much wiser for the University. - - - - -XII. - -THE VANISHING. - - Καιρὸς πρὸς άνθρώπων βραχύ μέτρον έχει. - - —PINDAR, _Pyth._ iv. 509. - - _Opportunity for men has a brief measure._ - - 1. Where are they? - 2. Call on the governor. - 3. Invoice the University. - 4. Let Piso do his best. - 5. Where is God? - - - - -XII. - -THE VANISHING. - - -Early the next morning Seti knocked at the door of our friends. Getting -no answer, he repeated the knock. Still hearing nothing, he opened the -door and went in. The room was vacant; as was also the sleeping-room -adjoining. Plainly the latter had not been occupied during the night. He -was alarmed. - -Summoning two servants to follow him, he proceeded to the khan with rapid -steps. What was his dismay to learn from the landlord that, shortly after -Cimon and Aleph came in, the evening before, a body of the city police -appeared and demanded to search their room for jewelry stolen from the -warehouse of Malus. Permission being readily given, the Cretan agent of -Malus, well known in the city, who accompanied the party and conducted -the search, went fumbling about on his hands and knees in the darker -parts of the room; and finally held up, with an exclamation of delight, -a small casket which he declared was the missing article, and had been -missing ever since Cimon’s visit to the warehouse. Whereupon the chief of -the police showed a warrant for arresting Cimon. The young man protested, -and declared that he saw the Cretan slyly whip the casket out of the -bosom of his own tunic. But the older man thought that the police were -right in claiming that they had no option in the case—he would go with -them without resistance, and his friend could take such measures on the -morrow for his relief as he might find best. So he went off with the -party, leaving the young man standing at the gate. - -But this party had scarcely disappeared, when a band of Roman soldiers -came up and surrounded Aleph. “Are you Aleph, the Chaldean?” demanded the -leader. - -“So I am called,” said the young man. - -“Then we have been sent to arrest you.” - -“For what?” demanded Aleph. - -“For assault and battery here last night; and as a suspected enemy of the -emperor.” - -“Show me your warrant,” demanded the young man. - -The leader produced a document bearing what purported to be the seal and -signature of the governor. “Is this document genuine?” said Aleph to -the landlord, who was standing by. The landlord looked at the paper and -nodded. - -“Then I will go with you,” said the young man calmly. “But may I not -first communicate my situation to my friends, that they may have an -opportunity to set me right with the authorities?” - -“We were not authorized to allow delay for any purpose.” - -“You will have to delay,” said Aleph, “for the purpose of hearing and -allowing these by-standers” (several of the guests of the khan had by -this time come up) “to hear me declare that I am innocent of the charges -brought against me, and can prove as much, opportunity being given me.” - -A soldier approached to bind him. Aleph motioned him away with his cane. -“I have said that I will go with you. I now say that I will go with you -without attempting to escape while going, provided you leave me free and -in possession of this cane. Otherwise the man who approaches me does so -at his peril.” - -After some consultation his demand was granted; and he went off quietly -with the party, saying to the landlord as he went, “You can at least tell -what you have seen and heard.” - -Such was the account given to Seti. He remained merely to ask a simple -question: “Could there be any doubt as to the party being real Roman -soldiers?” The landlord thought not: they had the equipment of Roman -soldiers; and, besides, their bearing and step together were professional. - -The high-priest hastened back to the Serapeum, assumed his pontifical -robes, summoned a large train of servants, and proceeded in his official -chariot, drawn by four white mules, to the Roman headquarters in -Bruchium. Arrived at the palace of the governor, a herald stepped before -the gate, blew a trumpet, and cried: “Seti of the Serapeum, high-priest -of Egypt and metropolitan, desires audience of Avilleus Flaccus, -Proprætor and Legate of Cæsar and Governor of Egypt.” - -In a few moments the gates were thrown open, and the whole party entered -a large court, where, at the foot of a flight of marble steps, Seti -alighted and was conducted by an obsequious usher into the audience-room -and presence of the Roman governor. - -Seti was dignified and formal; coolly saluting his excellency with all -the usual formalities, but not a jot beyond. On the other hand, Flaccus, -an ordinary man to look at but wearing the extraordinary toga permitted -to the imperial representative, was exceedingly demonstrative and -deferential in welcoming his illustrious visitor. He seemed to feel that, -belonging only to the Equestrian Order and with no ancestors save those -whose names had been written with water and in water, he was socially -far from being equal to the freezingly cold and stately Egyptian pontiff -whose sires had reigned in palaces and temples before Rome was founded. - -Seti cut short the ceremonial. Would the governor be good enough to say -whether he had given an order for the arrest of a regularly enrolled -member of the University, an inmate of the Serapeum, and a particular -friend of himself and the Alabarch Alexander? - -Flaccus appeared to consult his memory. He did not remember to have given -any such order. - -“An order to arrest one Aleph, the Chaldean, as a disturber of the public -peace and a suspected enemy of the emperor?” suggested Seti. - -No, he did not think that he could have given such an order. - -“An order executed last evening by a company of Roman soldiers?” -continued the priest in the same icy tone. - -“Certainly not.” - -“I am glad to hear it, and to have your authority for denying the report -that is getting abroad. It may also be for your interest to deny it -personally as you have opportunity; for the young man in question is a -great favorite, not only with the Alabarch and myself, but also with the -young men in the University, who represent the noblest Roman families and -a great interest with the emperor and the Cæsar.” - -“I think,” said Flaccus, with a not very successful attempt at an arch -look, “that I know of somebody who is likely to have more interest with -Germanicus than any of them.” - -“However that may be,” said Seti emphatically, “it is certain that the -young man will have such justice as our best efforts can secure.” - -“What can I do?” said the Roman uneasily. - -“I will tell your excellency,” said the Egyptian. “It is understood in -the city that a party of Roman soldiers, under a written warrant from -you, arrested and carried off, we know not where, a privileged member of -the University, for whom the best vouchers can be found. But, as I now -learn from you, that warrant must have been forged; and what appeared to -be Roman soldiers, were not such, but other parties in disguise. Now I -would respectfully suggest that you give me and the other friends of the -young man written authority to search for and rescue him at whatever cost -to those who have carried him off. This will answer our purpose, and at -the same time serve to defend you from the suspicions of the people.” - -Flaccus hesitated, bit his lip, twirled a gold badge that hung from -his neck, looked at every object in the room save Seti. Seti looked at -nothing save him. - -The priest rose to go. “Time is of great consequence to me this morning. -Am I to understand that your excellency declines to authorize me in -writing to rescue from robbers and murderers a young man for whom the -Alabarch and myself, as well as the University at large, offer to stand -vouchers?” - -“I do not see why you need a written authorization from me,” said -Flaccus, beginning to sharpen a reed. - -“I did not say that we need such a document. _You_ need to give it.” He -said this last in a low but a very distinct and measured tone of voice. - -“Well, I will give it,” said the governor with sudden decision—“if it -will oblige you and your friends.” - -“It _will_ oblige us,” said Seti; and in a few moments he took -punctilious leave with the desired document in his possession. - -He returned at once to the Serapeum. Resuming his ordinary dress, he -proceeded to the lecture room, where, as yet, he found only two or -three students, among whom was Publius Cornelius. He beckoned them to -him, and asked such co-operation as they could give in a matter he was -about to bring before the whole class. Shortly they came pouring in, -rather obstreperously, I fear, as college boys have been wont to do -from the beginning; but as soon as they set eyes on their teacher there -was a profound hush; for they saw at once that something unusual had -happened—that the Seti they had hitherto known had given place to quite a -different Seti and a much younger man. All the old dignity and authority -were in his face and bearing; but somehow there had come into the old -look a roused and forceful expression such as a crisis might be expected -to call out in a young man largely endowed both as a man of thought -and action. Calm, watchful, mindful of all that is passing and likely -to pass, prepared to throw his whole force into action at a moment’s -warning. All the students were in a hush of expectation as they saw the -new man sitting on the old bema. - -He began with saying that he had no lecture for them that morning. But he -had something better than a lecture—an opportunity for a good action. He -then concisely and simply narrated his morning experiences, and held up -the document he had obtained from Flaccus. Perhaps the young man had been -killed. Perhaps he was only imprisoned in some out-of-the-way place. It -was for his friends to find out the facts as soon as possible. He knew -of none who could do as prompt and good service in the matter as the -generous-minded fellow-students of the extraordinary young man who had so -commended himself to their admiration. Would they undertake it? - -The response was instantaneous. Many sprang to their feet, with flushed -faces and hot, indignant words. - -“A conspiracy!” cried one. - -“An insult to the University,” cried another. Some called out “_Draco_” -interrogatively; and others, of the bolder and more highly connected -of the Romans, among whom was Publius Cornelius, shook their fists -significantly in the direction of the Cæsareum. One thing was evident -to the watchful eye of Seti—that there would be no lack of sympathetic -readiness on the part of the Serapeum to act as he wished. What did he -wish? - -This was brought out by Cornelius, who declared that they were all of -one mind to further any plan that their venerable instructor might have -to propose; and moved that a committee be appointed to confer with him -as to what had best be done. He also proposed that this committee should -secure the co-operation of the Museum, which he had no doubt would be -enthusiastically given. - -“Besides,” he added, as he repeated his emphatic gesture toward the -north-east, “the Museum is nearer than ourselves to the sources of this -mischief and can explore them better.” - -A committee was appointed—including Cornelius. These gathered about Seti. -His plan was that some students should find out whether Draco and the son -of Flaccus were present in the city all the last night—that others should -find out whether any soldiers were then absent from their quarters, -and if so to whose force they belonged—that still others should watch -the gates and harbors for their return and note the time and direction -of it—that still others should rummage the streets, especially in the -neighborhood of the khan Rachotis, for some who had observed the party, -noticed the direction they took, perhaps witnessed an embarkation. The -students interested were so many, they could, by properly distributing -themselves, make all these inquiries at once. No time should be lost. Let -them report to him. - -Feeling sure that the young men would need no further impulse, the priest -left them, and, stopping at his room for the parcel which Cimon had put -in his hands, proceeded to the office of Alexander’s legal adviser. -This was in a wing of the extensive palace of the great banker whose -affairs furnished the greater part of the business of the lawyer. The -man was both a Roman and a Greek—his father being from Tusculum, and -his mother from Athens. He possessed in a remarkable degree the mental -characteristics of both nations—the practical and resolute character -of the one, and the acuteness and subtlety of the other. To a profound -knowledge of Roman law, especially as applied in the provinces, he added -a familiar acquaintance with the usages of Alexandria as a business -community—having lived in the city from childhood. Alexander early -discovered his abilities, and by degrees made him a confidential adviser -in legal matters, especially after he became a proselyte and attached -himself to the Diapleuston. - -Marcus Piso was not much of a man to look at—at the first look. Small, -slender, somewhat stooping, no longer young—it was necessary to be -with him for a time and watch his face and manner—his keen eye and -protuberant brow—as he dispatched business with one and another. Then he -inspired confidence both as to his ability and integrity. Then one said, -“Alexander is not mistaken in his man.” - -The little man did _not_ show to advantage as he rose to receive his -imposing visitor. But, what was better under the circumstances, he at -once conducted Seti to an inner office and listened with all his ears, -and eyes too, to a brief account of our friends, of what had just -transpired, and of the measures taken for the discovery of Aleph. - -“I tell you these facts,” said Seti, “to interest you as much as possible -in these men whom the Alabarch and myself intend to support and befriend -to the utmost of our power.” - -“I have been strongly interested in them ever since the affair at the -Diapleuston, which I happened to witness; and my thoughts were running on -them when you came in; for news of the arrest of Cimon for theft had just -reached me.” - -“As if a man having credit with Alexander to the amount of 200,000 gold -staters was likely to pilfer! No, the charge and the arrest were gotten -up to prevent or discredit an impending suit by Cimon against Malus. And -Aleph has been killed, or spirited away, partly to aid the same purpose, -and partly to gratify the malice of certain others whose names you can -guess.” - -Seti then produced Cimon’s parcel, and continued: “I am told that you -will find in this parcel all needful particulars in regard to the -proposed suit against Malus. Please examine it at once and if you find it -warrants legal proceedings institute them without delay. Of course Malus -is strongly intrenched and will fight to the death; but we will back -you with all our forces. I am sure that I speak for Alexander as well -as for myself. Meanwhile, whatever you can do to cancel or relieve the -imprisonment of Cimon, please do. The case of the young man I will look -after myself.” - -Seti’s next visit was to Rachel—not by way of the street, but by a -private door in the inner office of the advocate, by which he was -accustomed to communicate with the banker. He found his granddaughter -in Miriam’s room. And he saw at once, in the looks of the two women, -that the evil news had preceded him. Miriam looked totally exhausted, -and lay on her bed feebly moaning, with closed eyes; her hand held by -Rachel. As to Rachel herself, Seti was struck by the change that had -taken place. A touch of mingled amazement and suffering was in her face; -but into the profoundly emotional expression had come “_nescio quod -preclarum et singulare_”—a look of self-control that had been fought for -and taken possession of by fire and sword; such a victory that another -like it would be ruin. A certain new and powerful expression was in every -feature. Lights and shadows of the heroic were hiding in the depths of -her eyes and in the curves of her lips. She came and sat on a stool at -his feet. - -“Grandfather, we have tried to wait patiently for you. You see that -we know all. Now tell us what you have done; for I know you have done -something.” - -Seti told of his morning movements. - -“Do you think it possible that they have _killed_ him?” she asked with -awe in her voice and white lips. - -“Sometimes I think not; and yet it would be hard to give my reasons. His -enemies are capable of any crime. Perhaps the only ground of my opinion -or feeling that he has not been killed is the wonderful resources, both -of body and mind, which he has for self-protection. I have never seen a -young man with such powers, and such a complete and never-failing mastery -of them. He is a natural prince and hero, and somehow and somewhere has -had a training to match. He is just the man for great and desperate -situations. He is an empire in himself. I hardly wonder at Cornelius, who -says of him that he has in his veins the blood of the immortal gods. Body -and soul, he is built like a temple. What Karnac was, Aleph the Chaldean -is.” - -“It is even so, grandfather,” murmured the maiden; and she buried her -burning face in her hands. - -“This gives me hope,” continued Seti. “Besides, as I have told you, he -refused to be bound or to give up his staff; and the same wariness that -led him to retain this means of defense would be apt to keep him on his -guard against assault. Yes, such a great and resourceful nature would not -be killed easily.” - -“Say _not at all_, grandfather. Let us not _imagine_ such a thing, lest -it take the heart out of us,” and she shuddered. - -Seti looked at her keenly for a moment. She suddenly drew herself up as -she sat, tossed away with both hands the heavy tresses that had fallen -over her face, and looked up with wide-open eyes into his. He laid his -hand tenderly on her head, and sighed before saying: - -“It is as you say. We must hope for the best if we would escape the -worst. Aleph the Chaldean _is_ a living prisoner somewhere, and we must -find and release him as soon as possible. So I must go.” - -“Take Miriam and me as active, though invisible, partners in this matter, -dear grandfather,” pleaded Rachel. “It is necessary for us if not for -you. We cannot sit here and wait, and wait, with folded hands till -somebody brings us word of what others are doing, or trying to do. It -would kill us. We have kept ourselves alive thus far only by praying: now -we must have something to do to help our praying. You see how the case -stands with me—it is a _necessity_.” - -“But what can you do?” - -“We can at least _try_ to do in some womanly ways. This will be a relief -to us. You are working by means of the famous University; perhaps we can -work quite as effectively by a humbler class of agents. At least we can -_try_: and our thinking and planning may save us if they do not save him. -In my father’s absence I want your approval.” - -“I think you are right,” said the priest slowly. “So be it, then. It -may be that your womanly devisings will be the first to penetrate the -mystery. I shall not complain if it prove so.” - -Seti kissed her and departed, saying to himself, “Some trees are killed -by decapitation, but this tree becomes thriftier and fairer than ever.” - -_Was_ it decapitation? Well, if it was not that, it was something that -marvellously resembled it. Seti was an experienced man, and his faculty -of insight was great: and I would sooner take his judgment in the -matter than that of most. He thought the trial that had befallen his -granddaughter terribly severe. I think the same. I should be sorry to -have that stroke repeated. Nobly as the first blow has been borne, I -could not answer for a second. There are limits to successful pruning. -A plant may be decapitated once too often. Seti thought so too, and -he carried away with him a greater burden than he brought; for now he -understood that the question was no longer how to save Aleph, but how to -save Aleph and Rachel. - -The Egyptian went home praying—praying to _Amun Re_. An able lawyer, -an enthusiastic University, a resourceful high-priest armed with an -official document, were all very well in their place; but they needed -presiding over and empowering by the Supernatural. Would He do it? In -the course of his long observation, Seti had known some striking cases -of poetical justice in human affairs. The wicked had been taken in their -own toils. Into the pits they had dug for their neighbors they had fallen -themselves. But it was often otherwise. The righteous had fallen before -the wicked. Craft and power and powerful money had proved too mighty for -goodness and justice. If good causes had always thrived, the Romans would -not be in Egypt, nor Flaccus in the Cæsareum, nor Malus in the grandest -warehouse of Emporium Street. So who can tell what _Amun Re_ will do? -And yet prayer is the breath of the nations and the ages. Nature herself -says, _Let us pray_. - -So the thoughts of Seti prayed, and prayed mightily, as he bent his steps -to the Serapeum. - - - - -XIII. - -THE SEARCH. - - Αλλοτ’ άλλοῖσι διαιθύσσουσιν ἀυραι. - - —PINDAR, _Olymp._ vii. 173. - - _Different winds rush in different directions._ - - 1. Oh, for Ariadne! - 2. Leaping to a conclusion. - 3. Domestics at new work. - 4. Pharos and some stars. - - - - -XIII. - -THE SEARCH. - - -Rachel went and sat by the bedside, in long silence. At length she began -unconsciously to think aloud—at first slowly and with long pauses; then -more rapidly. - -“They have _not_ killed him. Then they have taken him out of the city to -confine him somewhere.... The shortest and least embarrassed way out of -the city would be by the gate of the Moon to Mareotis.... Here boat would -be taken. Where would it go? There is no place where a prisoner could be -confined on the islands of the lake or on the southern shore—none in the -pleasure-villas on the banks of the canal connecting the lake with the -Nile—none on the Nile itself till one comes to the fortress that once -belonged to the family of Seti, but now is in possession of the Roman -governor. I have it—there _are_ dungeons there, and Sextus Flaccus has -access to them, and they are well away from observation. _That_ is the -place where they have carried him.” - -Her face flushed, and her eyes flashed with sudden decision. -“Grandfather’s way may be sure, but it is slow; and by the time he finds -his way up the Nile to the Setian stronghold it may be too late. I will -leap to a conclusion.” - -She at once summoned all the domestics of the household. Did any of them -know of a traveling merchant, accustomed to carry his wares from house -to house along the east bank of the Nile? Several knew of such a person. -Was he a Jew? Was he of the Diapleuston? Was he quick-witted and prudent? -Was he now in the city? Receiving an affirmative answer to all these -questions, she at once dispatched a man who professed to know where the -peddler could be found, to bring him without delay. - -In less than an hour her messenger returned with the very peddler whose -acquaintance we made in the first chapter of this narrative. She looked -at him narrowly. He was not an attractive object—what with his poor -clothes, his unkempt hair, and his excessive obsequiousness. But he did -look shrewd and to a degree reliable. At all events she must try him. So -she told him that she had heard a favorable account of his intelligence -and discretion; that she wanted to employ such a man to go up the Nile -as far as the Setian palace on a confidential mission. She wished to -find out, without the knowledge of any armed force that might be there, -whether a young man is held in confinement in the palace. And she thought -that, if he would furnish himself with such a pack of goods as seemed -most likely to attract the servants and others about the premises, he -might incidentally contrive to get from them the desired information. She -would furnish the goods, and, besides, reward him richly for the service. - -“Is the young man tall and marvelously well proportioned?” inquired the -Jew. - -“He is.” - -“Has he the face of Moses, and the bearing of a king?” - -“So it is said.” - -“Is it not he who on the last Sabbath defended our synagogue from -sacrilege?” - -“It is.” - -“Then,” said the peddler, “I will do what the lady asks of me—not for her -rewards, though Father Abraham knows that I am poor enough. I will do it -for the young man’s sake, who can beat the heathen at their own weapons. -I can beat them in trade; but it is a satisfaction to me to see them -beaten after another fashion.” - -“Have you ever been at the palace?” inquired Rachel. - -“Often, in the way of trade. An old Egyptian and his wife, a Jewess, keep -the place when the governor is not there, and are employed about the -premises in some way at all times.” - -“Here is a purse of gold. Make up your pack as attractive to these people -as possible. Stay with them as long as you can. Be ingenious. Keep eyes -and ears open. Spare no money nor promises that will help your object. -I will see that your promises are fulfilled. Take the first boat going -south; be put ashore at a little distance from the palace; then do the -best an ingenious man can, to find out whether Aleph, the Chaldean, is -confined there, and, if so, how he may be released. Return or send as -soon as possible. But stop——” - -She went to a desk, and wrote on a small sheet of papyrus as follows: -“Your friends have found you. You shall have help soon.—R.” - -She handed the paper to the Jew, saying, “Should you find him, perhaps -you may be able to get this to him.” - -The man hastened away. What should she do now, and during the days that -might pass before she could hope to hear from the peddler? To sit still -and wait, she felt to be impossible. Was there anything more she could be -doing to keep her heart from preying on itself? She asked the question of -Miriam as well as of herself. - -Miriam had quickened and strengthened bodily under the rousing of thought -and care for one outside of herself, and was sitting up thoughtfully -in her bed. Yes, she thought that something further might be done. She -doubted whether the students would be as good at getting information from -the town-people as would some others. The frequent broils and jealousies -between the two classes would put inquirers at a disadvantage. And, then, -the people who would be most likely to notice the abduction, because -most likely to be abroad in the evening, would be the humbler classes, -whose homes had little to attract them. The humble stall-keepers; the -daily workmen hanging about the street-corners; the street-boys, brimful -of curiosity, afraid of nothing, ready to run after anything unusual; -the watermen, that wait for jobs at the gate of the Moon or on the -lake-wharves, would be more likely to notice and more free to speak of, -to people of their own class, the passing of the soldiers. - -“Suppose we ask the servants,” said she, “whether they know any of their -own class living on the route from the khan to the Gate—any workmen, or -watermen, or waifs likely to have been in that neighborhood waiting for -what might turn up. If they themselves do not know of any such, they will -be likely to know some who do; and so inquiries may be set in motion -through all the humbler classes. Give the servants a holiday—several -holidays, if necessary. We can dispense with them. I feel a return of my -old vigor—the God of Israel be praised!” and, to the surprise of Rachel, -the woman drew herself from the bed into a chair that stood by the side -of it. - -Rachel was too much absorbed in her object and plans to spend any time in -speculating on that mysterious connection of the soul with the body that -enables the former in its roused state to infuse its own healthy vigor -into the latter. But she was glad that the pressure of circumstances had -so opportunely transformed the helpless into a helper, and only begged -her not to exert herself too much, as she carefully drew the wraps about -her. - -Rachel welcomed the suggestions of Miriam; and soon the many servants -of that large household were abroad seeking for information, or seeking -those who could seek it better than themselves. - -Toward the close of the day Seti appeared to report that Sextus Flaccus -had been found to have been in the city all the previous night, and -that, apparently, no soldiers had been absent from their quarters. But -Draco had disappeared from early in the evening, and had been traced to -Mareotis—this seemed to Rachel a particle of light. No reports as yet -from the students watching the gates and harbors, or from those seeking -traces within the city. Rachel told Seti of the supplementary measures -she had taken for getting information within the city, but she said -nothing of the peddler and his expedition. I hardly know why. Perhaps -it was because she thought the womanly logic of the movement would not -commend itself to a philosopher. - -The next morning Miriam was still better—indeed almost seemed to forget -in her new object of absorbing interest that she was an invalid at all. -As yet the servants had made no report; having come in late the night -before and gone out again before light in the morning. Inactive waiting -is an uneasy business at the best; so Rachel determined to have as little -of it as possible. She sent off a servant with a basket of provisions -to the house of the peddler with instructions to learn at what hour he -left the city and in what sort of craft; for there was almost as much -difference then as now in the speed of vessels. She found that the active -man, within an hour from the time he left her, had managed to provide -himself with a more attractive pack than he had ever before carried, and -to get on board a well-appointed merchant vessel just starting southward -with a fair wind and not a few oars. This was some comfort. She prayed -that the wind might follow fast, and that the rowers might be able and -willing at their toil. - -In the course of the day another small comfort (small and transient like -the scarcely perceptible shade of greenness that sometimes comes even -in the heart of winter, for a few hours, to some sunny nook and then -retreats as fast as it came) came with some scraps of information brought -in by the servants. They reported that the company of soldiers had been -noticed at different points in the Egyptian quarter; and, on comparing -these points, the women saw that they meant a movement toward the gate -of the Moon. This was a much-needed encouragement to Seti, who came in -the evening to say that the students had as yet been able to draw no -information from the people whatever. They seemed to regard all the -inquiries with suspicion, as if they meant some College prank against -which their best refuge was silence. What so many students wanted to know -they would do well to conceal. So the young men spoke to deaf ears and -silent tongues. Still they would not discontinue their inquiries. They -hoped that all their ravens would not come home to roost. - -The next day added considerably to the stock of information. Several -street-boys who were hanging about the gate and wharves on the night in -question had been ferreted out in their various dens by the servants, -and agreed that a company of soldiers with a prisoner passed through -the gate while they were there, and took boat to a larger craft lying -out some little distance in the lake. On their part the students had -discovered that the pleasure-galley of the Flacci had been absent from -its station ever since the same evening, and had been seen by a waterman -steering toward the canal and the Nile. Rachel was now so satisfied that -her first movement was a wise one that she told Seti of it. He was glad -that so time-saving a measure had been adopted; and returned to inform -the students that such traces had been discovered that they need no -longer continue their inquiries in the city, but should hold themselves -in readiness to co-operate in another movement that might be necessary. -He now felt quite sure that the soldiers employed in the abduction were -_discharged_ soldiers—men who from age and other reasons were no longer -in active service—of whom there were not a few in the city quite ready -to lend themselves to the purposes and the pay of such a man as Sextus -Flaccus. - -Immersed in her cares for Aleph, Rachel had neglected till to-day to -inquire about Cimon and his affairs. For this she blamed herself roundly. -But she was glad to learn that her father’s solicitor had found Cimon’s -papers very complete as against Malus, had formally instituted a suit, -had been able as Cimon’s official advocate to procure admittance to -him and arrange for his comfort till his trial should come off, that -the chief clerk of Malus, who had been discharged by him as soon as he -learned how liberal of business information he had been to Cimon, had -come to him with valuable evidence. Three suits were to come off in the -following order—(1) The suit of Malus against Shaphan and Nathan, (2) -the suit of Malus against Cimon, (3) the suit of Cimon against Malus. -Marcus Piso was more than satisfied with this order; for he felt that the -first two trials would throw much damaging light on the character and -operations of Malus and prepare the way for the success of Cimon’s suit -against him. - -“But then those Roman courts! Who could guarantee their equity! Would -not the Flaccan influence be supreme in them and in favor of the supreme -criminal in whose misdeeds it had long participated! The Most High only -knows! If possible, we must make the right of the case so plain that -neither court nor government can go against it without the whole people -crying shame on them. And this I am more and more inclined to think can -be done.” ... So encouraged Marcus Piso. At the same time, with a shadow -on his face, he admitted that the devil was strong. - -The next day was the Sabbath. The family of Alexander were very strict -in their observance of the day, but not so unreasonably strict as to -refuse works of necessity and mercy. Miriam (now wonderfully improved) -and Rachel would not have hesitated to plan and do, to any extent, in -so urgent a case as that of Aleph if they could have seen opportunity. -But, until they should hear from the peddler, what more could be done? -Certainly nothing but praying. So they gave themselves wholly to this -mighty form of working. The God of Israel, so pitiful and so powerful, -and who had said, “Call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver -thee,” was invoked that day with an energy and whole-heartedness that -seemed bound to cross all the spaces and make its way to the very -foothold of the Throne. Till the public services at the Diapleuston, the -women were scarcely off their knees for a moment. - -At the synagogue, to her surprise, Rachel found Seti seated where Cimon -and Aleph had been placed on the last Sabbath. She went and sat down by -him for a few moments, placing her hand in his; and then went to her -own place. The selections from the Law and the Prophets by her uncle -Philo, as well as his remarks that followed, seemed to her to have a most -positive though veiled reference to the case, which she felt was by this -time weighting all their minds with its certainties and uncertainties. -She felt it good to be there. There was something soothing and supporting -in the sympathetic atmosphere. And so she lingered after the conclusion -of the services. - -While thus lingering, she noticed a woman of the humbler class trying -to make her way somewhat impatiently toward her through the slow-moving -crowd. As soon as she came near enough the woman thrust into her hand a -paper rudely folded and at once passed on with the rest of the retiring -congregation. Rachel opened the paper at once, and with some difficulty -deciphered the following: - -“He is here. They are trying to starve him. I can prevent that for a -little; but the custodes will take no decisive step till they have had my -promises in your behalf confirmed by your own lips.” - -When she had finished reading the scrawl she found Seti standing by her -side and drawing her arm within his. It was timely. Unsupported she might -have fallen. It was a flash of light that she had longed for, but it had -in it something of the threat and terribleness of a flash of lightning. -It revealed, but it revealed an urgent danger. Her agitation remained -voiceless till they had reached home and Seti had read the letter. It -lifted a cloud from his brow. Now they knew that Aleph was still alive, -knew where to find him, could make some reasonable plan for his rescue. -He congratulated her. Early to-morrow they would go up the river in the -galley of Alexander, well-equipped with resolute men. Perhaps he would -ask some of the students to follow at a distance in another galley. They -might not be needed; but it was well to overlap emergencies with our -provisions. At all events, the young men would be gratified—and they -deserved to be. He had never thought so well of young men since he was a -young man himself. Especially of Cornelius. Such unselfish enthusiasm and -untiring effort in behalf of a confessed superior, such hearty use of his -influence and leadership to further all plans in aid of Aleph—why, they -spoke almost as loudly for Rome as Tiberius and the Flacci did against it! - -The clouds on the horizon had begun to redden. Was it from the rising -or the setting sun? Neither Seti nor Rachel could tell; for they did -not know the east and west of Providence. It was indeed something to -have found that Aleph was still living (a fact which they had compelled -themselves to assume, but which phantoms with mocking faces and -whispering voices were all the while challenging at both ears); also that -he was at the Setian palace. Now they could localize and focalize their -exertions in his behalf. This was at first a very sensible relief. But, -in finding these facts, they had also found that their friend was in the -hands of a body of desperadoes who were seeking his life. Might they -not succeed before the swiftest help could reach him? Perhaps they had -succeeded already. That single poor peddler was a mighty thin partition -between life and death. So the clouds which had thinned away somewhat -soon thickened up again into the old blackness. Through the live-long -night the waves of hope and fear alternately beat on the vexed strands -whose names were Seti and Rachel. - -The wear and tear of such times are very great on some people. A single -night has been known to bow a form as stately as Seti’s—to blanch tresses -as young and beautiful as Rachel’s. But let us hope the best for both -sufferers. One of them is strong in youth, the other is strong in age. -Neither will be easily overborne. Neither is a stretch of low-lying -sands, easily loosened and carried out to sea in rough weather. Both -are highlands, fronted and ribbed with rocks for the sea to dash and -roar upon—rocky convictions of the supernatural, rocky faith in a divine -government, rocky _mens conscia recti_. In this I find some comfort. At -the same time I know that even rock-bound coasts sometimes suffer heavily -in a wild time. Have I not walked on such a coast the day after the -storm has been hurling its battalions upon it and found it ragged and -torn and strewn with ruins—the battle-field of yesterday? And I am far -from saying but that this may be just the condition in which the sore -winds and waves of their trial may leave Seti and Rachel. We must be -prepared for the worst while we hope the best. Should the worst come, no -heart will be sorer than mine. - - - - -XIV. - -THE ARGONAUTS. - - Φιλεῖ δὲ τῷ κάμοντι συσπέυδειν θεός? - - —_Anon._ - - _Does God love to help the struggling good man?_ - - 1. How best to do it. - 2. Song for signal. - 3. The golden fleece and dragon. - 4. Hair-breadth——? - 5. Even as He. - - - - -XIV. - -THE ARGONAUTS. - - -Early the next morning the pinnace of Alexander was moving toward the -Nile as fast as eight strong oarsmen and a fair breeze could carry -it. Under a silken awning in the stern sat Seti and Rachel: while at -some distance a few stout male servants in holiday attire leaned over -the bulwarks, watching the water ripple away from the shapely sides, -listening to the low monotonous stroke-song of the rowers as they -rhythmically struck the waters, and occasionally talking together in a -low tone. - -Seemingly it was a holiday excursion—nothing more. The whole aspect of -things on board that delicate butterfly of a vessel, including the lovely -maiden in her rich robes, with her harp standing by her side, was that -of a pleasure party. No one looking from shore or passing vessel would -have thought that such a festival barge with its luxurious and dainty -furnishings and daintier mistress was heavily weighted with anxious -thoughts of peril and conflict. - -To Rachel, her surroundings, from the cloudless sky and wooing breeze to -the costly and delicate sea-chariot on which she was borne, seemed almost -so many mockeries. Her real sky was full of clouds, her real wind was -the breath of storms, and the real galley on which her spirit was sailing -was a war ship full of swords and spears and faces threatening battle. -She found it very hard to cover her anxieties with the serene face and -manner which she felt the situation demanded. So she kept the servants as -far from her as possible, that their prying eyes and ears might not play -too successfully on herself and Seti. - -They were hardly well afloat before Seti began to unfold his plan of -proceeding. - -“It is very important,” said he, “that we implicate the Flacci, both -father and son, as little as possible in this affair. The father, bad as -he is, probably has nothing to do with the abduction; and so ought not to -suffer on account of it. The guilty party is Sextus; who, having access -to his father’s official seal and blank forms, forged the warrant for -the arrest, and then employed some dissolute companions of his among the -discharged Roman soldiers to execute the warrant. These having no duties -in the city have not yet returned, and so the watch of the students for -them has been in vain. Sextus is the great criminal in the case and -deserves exposure. But, if we so manage the matter as to expose him both -to his mortified father and the public, we shall be sure so to exasperate -both of them as to throw their whole influence, under one pretext or -another, against us in the impending suit against Malus. And that would -be a very serious matter. So we must try to rescue Aleph as quietly as -possible—in some way that does not direct public suspicion toward the -Flacci at all. If we should appear before the castle of the governor with -a sufficient force to back us, and demand the prisoner, the whole affair -would at once go abroad to the four winds, and cry FLACCUS in every ear -from Pharos to the Cataracts: besides, the garrison would probably deny -having the prisoner, and contrive some way of disposing of him before -we could effect an entrance. So the best way for us is to persuade the -custodes to give Aleph the means of making his own escape; and we can be -near to receive him and carry him quietly back to the city—saying nothing -as to where he was found and how rescued. If this plan fails we must, of -course, resort to rougher methods.” - -“Do you think,” inquired the maiden, “that Aleph would have submitted -so quietly to the arrest had he not supposed it made by the proper -authorities?” - -“Certainly not. He yielded to what he supposed to be the government of -the country in which for the time being he was living.” - -“In that case, if he were assured that the arrest was pronounced -unwarranted by the governor, and that he was expressly allowed to free -himself by any means, would he not be likely to make great efforts to -free himself?” - -“Doubtless, if opportunity could be found. But how is he to break down an -iron door with his hands, or, with his hands dig through massive stone -walls settled together and cemented by ages? I know that dungeon well. -It is the strongest in all Egypt. Supreme strength and courage must have -opportunity. Genius must have some capital of favorable circumstance on -which to work. Even heroes must have ground on which to stand, and scope -for their arms. No, I know the place too well to think that our young -friend, full of resources as he is, can do anything to help himself till -he is at least outside of the dungeon, or till some fitting tools have -been introduced into it.” - -“I knew the castle belonged to your ancestors, and is rightfully yours; -but I did not suppose that you knew anything about the interior.” - -“See here!” said the Egyptian, as he drew from the folds of his robe a -parchment discolored by age, and unrolled it before her. “Here is a plan -of the whole structure, cellars and dungeon included. This has come down -to me through many generations, together with a written description of -every part of the structure; and, though I have never set foot in it, I -think I could find my way about it without the least difficulty. There -has always lingered in the family a vague faith, be it superstition or -not, that this noblest of the ancient Egyptian palaces was destined to -come back to us some day; and so the eldest in our line has always made -it a point to know as much about the structure as if he were in actual -possession.” - -“Explain the plan to me, my dear grandfather. It may somehow help us in -what we have to do. I, too, would like to be able to thread my way alone -over the whole.” - -“Heaven (_your_ Heaven) forbid that you shall have need to do so. Still, -we have leisure for an explanation, at least in part; and it will be -in the way of our family custom. This line (pointing) represents the -high and massive stone wall that surrounds the whole palace, together -with extensive grounds in the rear. There are three gates to this all -surrounding wall—one in front, opening on a flight of steps to the river -by which the master and his friends come and go; the others far back on -the north and south sides and chiefly used by servants for communicating -with the little hamlets that lie, one above and the other below the -palace. On the river side of the inclosure rises the quadrangle of the -palace. The front and two connected sides contain the state and family -apartments: the rear is given up to servants and the various offices -belonging to them. Of course the soldiers are quartered in this last. We -will only study this part now. It is of only a single story above ground. -Right here in the middle is a large room where doubtless the soldiers eat -and drink: to the right and left of it are their lodging rooms and the -kitchens. Directly under this common and mess room is the single dungeon -of the castle, connected by a flight of steps with the mess room, and -also by another flight through a heavy iron door with the rear grounds of -the castle. One can reach the dungeon only through the iron door or by -descending from the common mess room. The wine and provision cellars are -to the right and left of the dungeon, and a narrow passage runs before -the whole.” - -“Has the dungeon any light and ventilation?” inquired Rachel anxiously. - -“Only through the narrow grated opening in the wall by which food can be -introduced without opening the door; and the narrow passage before all -the vaults is only dimly lighted by a barred opening near the ceiling at -either end.” - -“Would Aleph have light enough to read a note or this plan of yours?” - -“It may be. Such eyes as his can do what mine could not. I have sometimes -thought that they furnished their own light. But whoever could put a note -through that grate could introduce a narrow lamp or taper also.” - -“If a pointed iron bar could be secretly introduced by the custodes -through the grate, would Aleph be able to pry open the door?” - -“Impossible—at least without making so much noise as to rouse the -soldiers.” - -“Perhaps they are revellers,” she said reflectively, “and, having free -access to the wine cellars, have frequent carousals and even stupid -drunkenness.” - -“Very likely; almost certainly,” Seti exclaimed. “They are the boon -companions of Sextus; and, like him, will not miss an opportunity of -indulgence. If we can only gain over the custodes, we might so drug their -wine as to stupefy their drunkenness still more, so that loud noises -would not rouse them. This deserves to be thought of; and, fortunately, -I happen to have with me for another purpose a drug which I think will -answer. But we must not depend on this plan alone. If one expedient -should fail, we must have another to fall back upon.” - -“And what is that?” - -“We must persuade the custodes to get possession of the key of the -dungeon. This ought not to be impossible, if the soldiers have a drunken -carouse every night, as seems to me very likely. But we cannot be very -specific in our plans till we have seen the peddler and custodes, and -know exactly what the situation is.” - -Rachel said nothing more, but pored over the plan of the palace. At -length she drew from a small ivory box by her side an ink horn and -papyrus, and proceeded to make a fair copy of the plan—adding some -jottings of explanation as Seti had given them. She then put both -original and copy in his hands. He compared the two, nodded, and looked -at her inquiringly. - -“I mean, if it is possible, to get this to him with the iron bar.” - -He silently returned the copy. - -Meanwhile the pinnace had been steadily pressing on its way. It passed -through the canal, it turned up the Nile, it went sweeping by crocodile -and hippopotamus and ibis sporting in the water or sunning by the banks, -it met corn ship, and Roman galley, and Nubian dory, and skin-raft loaded -with brick and stone, and, occasionally, a pleasure barge freighted to -overflowing with the laughter and song of the young and gay. The peasants -on the banks for a moment stopped work at their trenching and water -wheels to gaze at the beautiful vessel, the Nautilus of the Nile, and -perchance to envy those who reclined under its snowy wings and silken -canopy. Ah, little did they know what anxieties were aching away at -the heart of all that beauty and costliness! The breeze toyed with the -sails, the waters rippled and gleamed and laughed away from the decorated -prow, the oars rose and sank in a water-song of their own that kept time -with the low chant of the rowers—there was music of all sorts filtering -through the dreamy air—but under that awning of silk and purple there was -only the music of prayer and, it may be, of some hope that the Most High -would not allow the wicked to triumph. But prayer was the chief thing. -Much silent planning and resolving was done during the latter part of the -voyage, but there was more silent praying than either. - -“Grandfather, what a comfort and help it is to pray!” as she turned -toward Seti and laid her hand on his arm. - -“I have found it out, my child, though not as soon as I could wish. But -the knowledge will remain. Straits crowd one toward the Unseen Helper.” - -And now the castle was in full view. On a promontory that curved out -boldly into the river, skirted both above and below by a thick grove of -mingled mimosas, acacias, sycamores, and palms, each of which groves -screened a little bay and hamlet, stood a quadrangular fortress with its -defiant encompassing wall. Rachel drew her harp toward her and began to -play—at first softly and slowly, and then with a stronger and more rapid -hand. As the pinnace approached the castle she began to accompany the -instrument with her voice: and, when fully in front, the voice surged -up over the promontory in melodious billows and seemed to envelop it in -floods of exultant song, every word of which was rendered with wonderful -distinctness. It was a chant. It was a chant in the original tongue of -these words from the Book of Daniel. “Now when he came to the den he -cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said -to Daniel, ‘O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God whom thou -servest continually able to deliver thee from the lions?’” - -Again and again the words rose and beat their delicious music against the -castle like an invading army. Seti narrowly watched the premises as the -pinnace glided by, but saw no sign of life. But as soon as they had gone -a little farther, rounded the promontory, and then silently veered into -the sheltered nook by the hamlet, they saw the peddler on the wharf with -his professional pack on his back. - -When the vessel was fairly moored, the man begged to be allowed to come -on board and exhibit his goods, which he protested were the finest and -cheapest to be found outside of Alexandria. The beautiful lady would -certainly find something she would like among his various stores. In -short, his eloquence was so great that he was at length allowed to come -on board and ostentatiously spread out his wares about Rachel and Seti. - -“Say that he is living,” she almost gasped, though scarcely above a -murmur. - -“He is, my lady.” - -“Say that food has been given him daily.” - -“At least since I came.” - -“Now tell us,” she said, with a firmer but still low voice, “while you -slowly display your goods, piece by piece, what you have done—in as few -words as possible.” - -“Yes, my lady. I landed at this hamlet, and went up at once to the -south gate of the palace grounds. Here I found a soldier on guard; but, -on making him a small present, he allowed me to enter and seek my old -acquaintances, the custodes. Fortunately I found them by themselves in an -out-house—the old Egyptian and his much younger Jewish wife; the latter -much the leading partner, as I had long known. I warmly saluted them -as old friends, hoped they had not forgotten Ezra, assured them that I -had never been so well prepared to give them a good trade as now; and -proceeded to unpack and display my goods despite their protestations that -they did not want anything, could not afford to buy anything, and such -like nonsense. But I saw that their eyes followed me as I spread out -article after article, and that they listened well as I mentioned prices -absurdly low. - -“‘You must have stolen these things,’ exclaimed the Jewess. ‘Alas, that a -son of Abraham should turn thief!’ - -“‘I hardly wonder,’ said I, ‘that you suspect my honesty; for, as you so -plainly see, these goods are worth many times what I ask for them. How -then does it happen that I can honestly offer them so low? I will tell -you. I have a very liberal friend—no less a person than the lady Rachel, -daughter of the great banker Alexander; and she pities me and other poor -children of our people; and it is she who makes it possible for me to let -you have the goods at so low a figure. Our father Abraham knows that I -could not do it otherwise.’ - -“As soon as I mentioned your name, I saw at once that I had touched the -right chord. I have since found that she came from Alexandria, where her -family in time of sickness and poverty had received much help from your -family. ‘The God of our fathers bless the pitiful and gracious lady,’ she -exclaimed. ‘Many a time has she helped me and mine.’ - -“‘And is she not the granddaughter of Seti—the high-priest and head of my -race?’ inquired the Egyptian husband. - -“‘To be sure she is,’ I exclaimed, ‘the worthy child of both Egypt and -Israel—and I will tell you a secret (I sank my voice very low and looked -cautiously about). I can tell you of a way in which you can greatly -oblige these great friends of ours and get as many of these goods as you -would like for just nothing—absolutely nothing.’ - -“Their eyes opened wider and began to glisten. They drew themselves -closer to me. - -“‘Look you,’ said I, ‘there has been in the dungeon of this castle -for the last few days a young man who is a special friend of Seti -and Alexander. He was arrested without right, and spirited away from -Alexandria in the night, and brought here by a company of men appearing -as Roman soldiers.’ - -“Thrown off her guard, the Jewess exclaimed, ‘How did you come to know -this?’ - -“‘No matter,’ said I, ‘it is enough that I _do_ know it; and know further -that if you would oblige Seti and Alexander, who have such claims on you, -as well as wonderfully advantage yourselves, you have now an opportunity. -If you will help them in this matter, they can and will do great things -for you. It is the opportunity of a life-time.’ - -“‘But what can we do?’ exclaimed both custodes at once. - -“‘I will tell you. But first tell me whether you have seen that goodly -young man with your own eyes, and know him to have been safe and sound -when he was put into the dungeon.’ - -“‘So he seemed by the torch-light,’ said the Jewess. ‘A goodly young -man, you may well say. I never saw one half so goodly. He stood like a -king among his slaves, with his great staff for a sceptre. The soldiers -seemed almost as much afraid of his eye as of his staff, and plainly felt -relieved when the key was turned upon him.’ - -“‘Has he had food and drink since then?’ I asked. - -“They hesitated; and the woman looked in a troubled way at her husband. - -“‘Now, by all the patriarchs,’ cried I in great excitement, ‘have they -been starving this friend of Seti and Alexander all these days, and you -doing nothing to help him?’ - -“‘Not so,’ she hastened to exclaim. ‘We thought we could not let the -young man perish; and as soon as we found out that no food of any kind -was being given him we managed to introduce some secretly through a -grated opening in the wall originally made for that purpose. But it -has been at the risk of our lives. We cannot continue. If we should be -discovered he would kill us.’ - -“‘Whom do you mean by “he”?’ I asked. - -“‘The leader among the soldiers.’ - -“‘What sort of a man is he?’ - -“‘A great, bull necked, big fisted man; with fierce and cruel and blood -shot eyes, and cheeks somewhat bruised and swollen. I have heard him -called Draco. This man carries the key of the dungeon at his girdle day -and night. He treats us like dogs, and would kill us outright in his -terrible passion should he find us out. No, we cannot afford to take such -a risk for a single day longer. We were worrying over the matter when you -came up.’ - -“‘Look here, woman!’ said I fiercely, ‘if you let this Hebrew (for he is -of our faith) perish, you will have to account for it to both man and -God; but, if you will give him ample food and drink daily and help us to -free him, the lady Rachel promises to reward you richly—beyond what you -could dream. If there is risk in the matter there is enough pay in it, -too, to make it well worth your while to take the risk. But I do not see -that you need to run any considerable risk. Where are these men in the -night?’ - -“‘They always pass the best part of the night in a drunken carouse. They -have found the wine cellar.’ - -“‘And, I dare say, by midnight they are lying about the floor of the mess -room dead drunk and stupid as logs.’ - -“‘It may be.’ - -“‘And what is to hinder you from taking that time for putting food, and -whatever else his friends may wish (this note for example), within reach -of the prisoner? The risk must be very small. Indeed I am not sure but -that you might safely steal in among the besotted and snoring brutes, cut -off the key from Draco’s belt, and open the door of the dungeon. The lady -Rachel would enrich you for life.’ - -“The woman threw up her hands in dismay. ‘I _could_ not do it. The very -idea of such a thing almost frightens me to death. Besides, how do I know -that the daughter of Alexander will fulfill all your fine promises. You -always did talk larger than the truth. You never spare fine talking in -the way of business.’ - -“I confess this awfully embarrassed me. My habit in dealing with my -customers _has_ been somewhat of the ornamental and poetical sort. And -now at last it had brought me into difficulty. What should I do? I -silently promised myself that I would mend my ways. I protested to the -woman by all things sacred that I did not misrepresent you. The miserable -woman declared she would not believe me. Nothing short of your own lips -should satisfy her. If you would come and with your own mouth repeat my -promises they would try to do what they could. But she shook like one in -a palsy when she said it. - -“Seeing that my reputation was too much for me, sinner that I am; and -that nothing better could be done, I said, ‘You are unreasonable; but -it shall be as you say. The lady will come and confirm all I have said. -But meanwhile (here I drew out my bag of gold pieces) this is what she -has given me to reward those who take risks in her service; and if you -will daily put into the grated opening plenty of food and drink, together -with whatever else I may give you, and will daily come to me in the upper -hamlet where you are in the habit of going for provisions, and will swear -that you have done so by the beards of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and -Jacob, I will, each time, give you two gold pieces. And I will begin now; -for I want you to put this note into the dungeon this very day. Swear to -me that you will do it.’ And I held up two shining pieces in the sun. - -“Her eyes snapped. So did mine—the gold looked so dazzling and lovely -in the golden sun. As for the husband, he sat with amazed eyes and open -mouth, but said nothing. Neither of them had seen such gold before. - -“The woman stretched out her hand. I made her swear, gave her the note -you gave me, and then gave her the two coins. - -“Just then a man shouted to them from the castle in a threatening tone; -and they hurried away in a fright, while I gathered up my wares as fast -as I could and went back to the hamlet. Here I scrawled a note to you, -gave it to my son whom I had taken the precaution to take with me, and -put him on board of a vessel for Alexandria just then passing. Since -then the custode has been to me daily, made oath that she has fed the -prisoner, and received her gold pieces. She reports that Draco has gone -back to the city for a day or two; but that he has left a substitute who -wears the key of the dungeon at his belt, and leads off every night in -the drunken debauch. I expect her every moment. It is about time for her -to make her daily visit.... There she is with her provision basket! I -will go and bring her on board.” - -Rachel was struck with the air of the humbly dressed and somewhat bent -woman whom the peddler soon brought up to her. She looked the picture of -timidity and uncertainty—as if drawn in opposite directions by powerful -forces, and almost torn in pieces in the struggle between them. Her -nerves were all on the wing. One could warrant that no sound sleep had -come to her for many a night. She staggered rather than walked up to -where Rachel was sitting. - -Rachel saluted her warmly; with her own hands placed a cushion for her -near herself; asked her name; by degrees drew her out to tell of her -former life in Alexandria and of her bits of contact with the family -of Alexander. How long had she lived here? Were there others of “our -faith and race” in this neighborhood? Was she holding fast to the God of -Israel? And did she hear and understand the chant from the prophet Daniel? - -Seti sat silently by and listened to the gentle, soothing tones in which, -without any airs of condescension and patronage, but simply as woman with -woman and believer with believer, the princess talked with the peasant, -till he saw the discomposure of the poor woman slowly give way to the -winsome ways of one speaking to her as from her own level. And yet what a -contrast! The fresh, glorious beauty and grace, fittingly arrayed, of the -one over against the faded features and crooked form and rough garments -of the other! Could it be that the two were of the same race? No one who -saw Rachel that day could doubt that she at least thought so, and knew -how to make her lowly sister feel the same. Said Seti to himself, “The -last few days have ripened her like tropical suns.” There are ways in -which the great may put themselves in sympathy and fellowship with the -lowly without putting on their dress, eating their food, living in their -cabins, and using their language. - -“And this is my grandfather, Deborah,” at length said Rachel, looking -toward Seti, “who, though he is high priest of Egypt, honors the God of -our fathers and loves our people. He shall be witness to what I will now -say to you. Our merchant friend here has told you how much interested -we are to rescue the young man of our faith who is now in the castle -dungeon. But Ezra was not able to tell you, as I do now, that the young -man was not imprisoned by the government, but by a band of ruffians on -their own private feud; and that we have in our hands a warrant from the -governor to deliver him from his enemies as best we can. But there are -reasons why we wish to do it as quietly as possible. Here you can help -us. You have already helped us by keeping our friend from starvation. Now -we want you to help us still further—in fact, to help us free him this -very night. If there is any risk to you in what we shall now propose, -we will reward you accordingly. We will do for you all that our agent -the merchant has promised. We will make it unnecessary for you to be a -servant any more. If you choose you shall go with us to Alexandria, and -live at your ease for the rest of your life. You know that we are able -to do as much as we say. Now, grandfather, will you tell Deborah what we -want her to do?” - -“Do you and your husband draw and carry the wine every night to the -soldiers?” inquired Seti. - -The woman answered in the affirmative. - -He went on, “Put this powder in the wine skin from which you draw. It -will not hurt the taste of the wine, but the drunkards will sleep the -sooner and sounder. Doubtless there is somewhere on the grounds a large -pointed iron bar: is it not so?” - -She replied that there was one in the provision cellar. - -“It is well. In the course of the day contrive to introduce the bar, with -a note which I will give you fastened to it, into the prison through the -grated opening. Will you do it?” - -She bent her head in assent. - -“One other thing—the hardest but most important of all. As soon as the -mess room is quiet after the debauch, and the men are lying stupid with -drunkenness and drug, steal in on tiptoe and cut off the key from the -girdle of the captain, and unlock the dungeon door, if the young man -has not yet succeeded in prying it open. The drug is so powerful that -I think you can do it safely. If one should happen to rouse, he would, -very likely, think you had come to bring more wine and relapse into his -stupor. When the young man is free, conduct him to the north gate, which -I know you have the key of; where we will meet you with a number of men -and conduct you all to the pinnace which by that time will be near the -north hamlet. Will you do this also?” - -“Oh,” the woman exclaimed with almost an air of distraction, “I am _so_ -afraid. Those wicked, frightful men—how _can_ I go in among them!” - -Both Seti and Rachel talked long with her; plied her with arguments and -promises; and at last had the satisfaction of seeing her more composed -and firm, and of hearing her promise that she would do as they wished. - -As she rose to go, Rachel grasped her hand and said, “Now be brave for -a few hours and your fortune is made. Do all we have said—do just as we -have said. Do it for the sake of the innocent, do it for Israel’s sake, -do it for our sakes who have some claims upon you, do it for your own -sakes for whom this day may do so much.” - -As the woman was turning away, Seti held out to her a vial filled with a -colored liquid. “As evening comes on pour this into a cup of water and -drink it. It is a cordial. It will strengthen and steady you for what you -have to do.... And then,” he added to Rachel, “the note and plan to be -fastened to the bar!” - -She at once wrote thus: “To night we expect that the guard will be stupid -with wine and drug. When they are fully quiet after their debauch, see -what you can do toward prying open your door. If you cannot succeed, you -may still hope that the door will be unlocked shortly from without. Make -your way out of the castle by means of the inclosed plan, if no guide -appears; and meet your friends at the north gate.—R.” - -She showed this to Seti, who nodded his approval. Folding her copy of the -plan into the note, she gave it to the custode—charging her to put it -through the grate while it was still light enough to read the note and -to see how best to attack the door. The woman departed some gold pieces -richer than she came. - -The peddler gathered up his wares, repacked them, and went forward with -his pack. Late in the day, at a signal from Seti, the boatmen who had -scattered themselves along the bank, returned, unmoored the vessel, -pushed out silently into the stream, dropped silently down past the -castle, and as silently warped into another sheltered nook very like that -they had just left and about as far from the castle. - -Here the servants spread refreshments for Rachel and her grandfather: and -then a larger outspread was made at the other end of the pinnace for the -others. While these were eating, Seti and Rachel went down among them to -speak a few kindly words, to see that their wants were well supplied, -and to ask all of them, save two or three needed to stay by the vessel, -to be ready late in the evening to escort them in a short walk they were -proposing to take. It would not be amiss if they should take bludgeons or -other arms with them: they would find a plenty of such below. Very likely -arms would not be needed; but then the place was neither Heaven nor the -Diapleuston. Is it necessary to state that no person was employed on -Alexander’s barge unless he was a Jew of his own synagogue? - -How should they spend the weary hours of waiting before it would be time -to set out for the gate? Seti did something to answer this question. - -As soon as the men had finished eating, he stepped to the front of the -dais with a roll in his hand, and invited all of them to come near -while he should read from their Sacred Writings. He then proceeded to -read from the Septuagint the 93d and a part of the 94th Psalm. It was -very different reading from that artificial sub cantus heard in the -synagogues. It was the reading of a prophet by a prophet, of a poet -by a poet. Such a natural, hearty, sympathetic rendering of the great -thoughts—it seemed as if the royal Psalmist, in the full glow of his -inspiration, was rehearsing his own words. The people stood with open -mouths and wondering eyes as the man of three generations—his form -erect, his eyes keen, his hair but slightly frosted, his teeth perfect, -his voice firm and resonant, his whole bearing that of one who defies -decay—celebrated in grave and majestic tones the glory of the One God, -His justice, and the final overthrow of the plans of the wicked. He -closed by reading with special slowness and emphasis these words, “_Who -will rise up for me against the evil doers—who will stand up for me -against the workers of iniquity?_” - -Rolling up the parchment, he looked searchingly about on the upturned -faces. - -“Friends,” said he, “we are not far from a den of evil-doers. In yonder -castle, a small band of ruffians, without warrant from the authorities, -have shut up in a dungeon the young man who stood up so nobly for our -faith in the Diapleuston a few days ago. We are here with a warrant from -the governor to rescue him. We expect this will be done about midnight -without any help from you. But we have promised to meet the rescuing -party at the north gate of the castle grounds with our men and conduct -them to the pinnace. We hope that this will be all we need to do. But -if we should be disappointed, I want you to be ready with stout hearts -and arms to succeed where others have failed. The soldiers are few, at -midnight they will be drunk, the castle will be open, and I who know -every nook in it will be your guide. Now, who of you will rise up for us -against the evil doers?” - -“We will all go,” said one. - -“Yes, _all_,” said another and another. - -“There is none of us willing to be left behind,” exclaimed the peddler as -he looked around. - -“And yet,” said Seti, “we must leave some with the vessel. Ten of your -stoutest will be enough to go with us; and you may select these for -yourselves.... Now let us kneel and pray to the God of Israel, who can do -great things for us whereof we shall be glad,” and, to the astonishment -of all, he kneeled, and spread forth his hands heavenward, and invoked -the blessing of the Most High on their undertaking with the manner of -one who saw God and stood in his very presence. Few words, but full of -meaning and realization and devotion. And that westering sun looked -through the screen of palms on as true and acceptable a prayer meeting as -he sees to-day. - -In the brief twilight that follows an Egyptian sun setting, they saw a -man running down to them from the high road that skirted the bank. It -proved to be the old Egyptian custode. He was spent with running, and, -when brought up to Seti and Rachel, could hardly speak. But at last he -managed to let them know that he was much afraid, from his wife’s growing -agitation, that her courage would fail at the critical moment. All -appearances promised an agony of fright and incapacity when presence of -mind would be most needed. He begged that the lady, who only seemed to -have power to soothe and hearten her, would not fail to come with the -others. It might save everything. - -“I _will_ come,” said Rachel; and, looking at Seti, she added, “I had -rather in any case go with you than remain here in suspense.” - -He made no reply to her, but said to the Egyptian as he dismissed him -with a present: “Do not forget to have the north gate opened early—also -the iron door leading to the cellars. Have a lighted lantern ready as -soon as the soldiers are quiet.” - -The stars came out one by one. Sirius flashed out first; then Aldebaran; -then the body and belt and sword of Orion, together with Pleiades and -Hyades and the Chambers of the South—with their pageant universe. No moon -would appear till after midnight; but such was the stellar effulgence -that nothing more seemed needed for such an enterprise. - -The _flight_ of Time! Yes, he is sometimes pictured with wings as far -stretching and mighty as an archangel’s; and sometimes he seems to us -to be plying them with all his might. But not in such circumstances as -our friends were in. To eager, restless, suspenseful hearts, hoping the -best but fearing the worst, eager to work but for the present able to do -nothing, Time has no wings at all, not even feet, but creeps along as if -weighted with untold chains. So crept he that night to Seti and Rachel. - -But even the snail is at last found to have moved—the most lingering hour -that ever crept toward a man, second by second, at last arrives—and so, -at last, midnight ached along and found Seti and his company at the north -gate. It was unfastened. So far, well. - -They listened. They thought they could hear dull strokes at carefully -measured intervals. “Get nearer—as near as you can,” said Seti to the -peddler, “and see if the sound does not come from the dungeon.” - -In a few moments the man returned to say that the prisoner was evidently -at work on his door; but that the custodes, both man and wife, were -sitting in an apparently helpless state on the steps before the iron door -leading to the vaults. He could scarcely get an intelligible word from -either of them. - -“Let us go to them,” whispered Rachel to Seti; “let us go to them alone. -The men would only alarm and confound them more.” - -For answer he drew her arm still further within his; and went cautiously -forward through the shadows straight toward the door of the vaults. Sure -enough, there were the custodes on the last step, cowering, trembling, -moaning faintly, almost stupid with terror. Rachel knelt by the woman, -took hold of her hand with one hand and stroked her with the other, bade -her be of good courage, if only for a little. - -“You see,” said she, “that I have come to help you. Seti also is here; -and many other helpers are behind. Have you taken the cordial? Ah, I -see that you have forgotten it. Never mind, take it now. There, now I -hope you will soon feel better. What do you say? You have no strength? -You cannot go alone? Look, Deborah, let us go together as far as the -prison door and see what progress has been made. Perhaps it will not be -necessary to go for the key. Come, lean on me.” - -So the woman was persuaded to her feet. The potion that Rachel had given -her seemed beginning to take effect. Seti pushed open the iron door, -found a lighted lantern just within, cautiously descended the steps with -it, closely followed by the two women. Now the blows were falling strong -and fast; as if the prisoner knew that no time was to be lost. They came -to the grated opening into the cell. Seti set the lantern by it. At once -the strokes ceased. - -“Is it Aleph the Chaldean?” inquired the priest in a voice scarcely above -a whisper. - -“Thank Heaven! it is the voice of Seti, my friend and father,” answered a -voice within. - -“Will the door give way?” asked Seti. - -“I fear not,” replied Aleph. “I cannot see where to apply the bar, and so -much of my labor is thrown away. If a light could be introduced through -the grating, I could soon tell whether freedom is possible in this way.” - -“Can you get a narrow sconce that will pass through the grate?” asked -Seti of the custode. - -The woman, without speaking, pointed in a vague way toward the room above. - -“Do nothing till we return,” said the priest to Aleph. “We will find you -a light, or something better.” - -Then he whispered to Rachel, “There is but one thing to be done. Seat the -woman on this bench and come. We must do without her. She might shriek or -fall among the men at any moment. Safer without her.” - -The woman sank on the bench like a rag. Seti took down the lantern, drew -Rachel’s arm again within his own, and softly made his way up a flight of -steps to the door of the mess room. He listened a moment. Nothing was -audible but the dull hard breathing of the men within. - -He gently pressed the door open. The room was full of lights of all -sorts—as if the ruffians had been afraid of darkness and meant to have -as little of it as possible. And all around—on benches, on the floor, -under the great table, hanging limp over the backs of chairs—were the -men in a state of swinish intoxication. Broken and upset cups lay about -everywhere. Pools of wine and vomit were on the table and on the floor. -The foul air was almost intolerable. - -Seti took up a sword that lay on the floor, and held out the lantern to -Rachel. - -“No, grandfather,” she whispered, “this work is for me. I can tread among -them more lightly than you can; and now I can see the key at the belt of -yonder man,” and she pointed to a man who sat at the head of the table, -his arms spread out upon it, and his head resting on his arms. - -He expostulated, “Perhaps the woman neglected to drug the wine as she -neglected her own cordial.” - -Without replying, the maiden gathered her robes tightly about her, -and stepped in among the dangerous brutes. Her feet fell as fall the -snow-flakes. Around one man, over the arm or leg of another, narrowly -missing the nodding head of a third—on she went through those swine -possessed with devils like some celestial vision, with eye and foot -steady and sure, till she reached the farther end of the room and the -side of the symposiarch. She saw the key. Oh for a knife to sever it -from the belt! She could see nowhere any sharp cutting tool. The man was -snoring heavily; the snores got into a tangle, trembled, stopped. He -groaned and moved. She stood breathlessly over him with steady, flaming -eyes till his breathing became regular again; then, seizing a small -sconce from the table, she held it under the string that fastened the key -to the belt. In a moment the two parted company. With lamp in one hand, -and the key with her draperies in the other, she made her way back to the -door and Seti as carefully as she went. - -They passed out. Seti noiselessly closed the door, drew up between it and -an angle in the wall a stout bench, and descended to the dungeon. Rachel -put her hand with the narrow lamp in it through the grate, and whispered -in an unsteady voice, “We have the key. Take the light, and, if you have -displaced the door somewhat, replace it. Else the key may not work.” - -He took it, made a few movements with his bar, then said, “Now try the -key.” Seti inserted it and tried to turn—alas, the bolt would not move. - -“Hand the key to me,” said Aleph; “perhaps I can do better from the -inside.” - -It was passed through the grate. The outside hearts stood still as the -key was heard groping for its hole, then stoutly pushed home, then -beginning to turn in the wards. Would it stop? Has it stopped? Ah, what -a moment that was! Human nature could not endure many such strains. But -hark! There is a sudden mighty heave and push and wrench; and, oh joy! -youth and strength and Heaven have surely conquered. Back flies the bolt -with a loud noise that is musical as Paradise; and lo, Aleph stands -before them. Seti threw his arms about him, and exclaimed, “My son—thank -Heaven!” - -“I also thank Heaven and my foster-father,” returned Aleph warmly, as he -returned the embrace; and then, turning toward Rachel with eyes that even -in the dim light throbbed into hers thankfulness, and much besides that -made her face burn and her heart sing, he added, “And there is another -who will not be forgotten, even the angel whom God has sent to shut the -lions’ mouths so that they have not hurt me. I knew your voice, and even -your hand, as well as your chant, as you came.” - -“We must hasten,” interrupted the priest. “We are not yet quite out of -the lions’ den.” - -Aleph at once went into the dungeon and brought out his staff and the -lamp. - -“And Deborah? It will not do to leave the poor woman here; and, shattered -as she is, she cannot help herself away. She failed us at the last -moment, but she did what she could,” whispered Rachel to Aleph as she -pointed to the custode on the bench. - -He bent to look at the woman. “No, she cannot walk, and must not be left. -I will carry her.” - -And he took her up as gently and as easily as one might a babe; and so, -following Seti, they went up the steps to the iron door and then out -under the blessed stars that seemed to rejoice and exult with them. Seti -did not forget to make assurance of safety doubly sure by putting another -bolted door between them and pursuit. They found the Egyptian sitting -where they had left him. He plainly was able to help himself: so, bidding -him follow, they moved on to the gate, where they found the boatmen -and peddler much alarmed at their long absence and about going to seek -them. This gate also they immediately bolted after them—thus putting a -third embarrassment in the way of pursuit. The pinnace-men could scarce -restrain their joy and shouts when they saw Aleph among them with the -woman in his arms. They did _not_ restrain themselves as soon as the bolt -of the gate went clanging home, but sent up a shout full of heartiness -and victory. The newly risen moon seemed to shout back again. - -They reached the vessel without further adventure. - -“Unmoor, men,” cried Seti, “and push out into the river!” - -When this had been done, and the pinnace was moving gently with the -current, his voice rose again. “Before we spread our sails and take oars -for Alexandria, let us acknowledge Him who has answered our prayers.” And -so under the bright moonlight, floating gently down the restful ancient -river, with no sound on the air but his own majestic voice, the high -priest, as if primate of all religions, gave thanks, in few and fitting -words and with uplifted hands, for the success of their enterprise to Him -“who executeth judgment for the oppressed, who giveth food to the hungry, -and who looseth the prisoners.” - -Now up, men, with the sails! Now, ye oarsmen with light hearts and strong -arms, ply joyfully the oars homeward! Aleph, sitting at the feet of Seti -and Rachel, is duly questioned and tells modestly his story; and he in -return soon comes to know all that we know about the measures taken for -his rescue—also about the situation of Cimon, in regard to whom his -concern seemed to have been greater than for himself. For the most part -Seti told the story. And he told it well. Rachel certainly had no reason -to complain that justice was not done to the part she had taken in the -matter. And she saw more eloquent speaking in the two luminaries that -occasionally beamed up into hers than she had ever seen in moon and -stars—or even the sun. - -But toiling men must have rest and sleep. So, after the lapse of an hour -or so, during which good progress had been made, the boatmen moored again -under the screen of another leafy grove that overhung the river and laid -themselves down wherever they best could. Seti and Rachel retired below. -As for Aleph, he had had enough of inactivity. The sense and delight of -freedom once more were strong within him. He leaped ashore; and walked -about in the grove, and sometimes on the highway from Alexandria which in -general followed the banks of the river, and which the Romans, according -to their wont, kept in the best condition. While on this thoroughfare he -heard the sound of wheels and the tramp of furiously driven horses coming -from the north. He stepped into the grove. The noise rapidly grew, and -soon became mixed with the voices of men in angry dispute. As the voices -came still nearer—could it be?—Aleph thought he recognized the voice of -Draco. Then appeared a chariot drawn by two foaming horses, with four men -seated in it. When nearly abreast of him the horses suddenly stopped. - -“We will go no farther,” exclaimed the voice of Draco, “till this matter -is settled. We mean that he shall die; and we also mean to be paid well -for what we have done for you. We must have enough to pay us for the loss -of our situations, and to keep us in Rome, or wherever we choose to go, -for the rest of our lives. We want the talents down—all of them. We are -not a-going to trust you for a yearly stipend, which may and may not be -paid; we must have everything in our own power. You did not promise so -much? But you promised to pay us liberally; and the pay must be what _we_ -call liberal. Cannot get so many talents? You can at least steal them -from your father, or from the treasury of the province—we do not care -which. We do not care how you come by the money if so be that we get it.” - -In the course of the violent altercation that followed Aleph recognized -three other voices—that of the equestrian trainer, that of Antis, and -that of Sextus Flaccus who seemed in a half drunken state. He also -gathered that Sextus had been berating the trainers for their defeat -by Aleph until the passionate men had been provoked beyond measure, -lost all self-control, and were ready to do almost anything to gratify -their resentment. Sextus was too much in wine to see his danger; kept on -abusing them roundly; and even went so far as to threaten that he would -pay them little or nothing for their services. This had brought matters -to a crisis. - -“Now,” said Draco at last, with an oath as horrible as a pagan or an -atheist could swear, “let us have done with this. Tell us, Sextus -Flaccus, what you will do—yes or no. Will you promise by the soul of your -mother, the only oath you are likely to keep, that within five days, by -hook or by crook, you will pay over to us the money we demand? If not, -you drunken fool, we will strangle you on the spot and throw your body -into the river. It will be said that you fell into the river in a drunken -fit. And everybody will believe the story—even your own father. Swear, -I say, or _die_, DIE. We can help ourselves at the castle to more than -you are likely to give us, if it be true, as we hear, that your father -hides his treasures there; and then we will take to the desert and have -everybody for a prey. Come!” - -Nothing came from Sextus but a new volley of provoking epithets and -threats. - -The two trainers grasped him. A struggle followed. “Drive on a little -farther to a better spot,” cried Draco to Antis. - -The horses sprang forward under the lash and soon disappeared. But Aleph -could hear the noise of scuffle, muffled calls for help, half suffocated -cries of terror. He ran after the chariot as fast as possible: at length -descried it standing by the roadside empty. At the same time he heard a -loud splash and saw three men run up from the river bank, leap into the -chariot, and drive off at a furious pace. It was vain to pursue—perhaps -he might rescue the victim. So he rushed to the bank which the men had -just left; and leaned over the water, holding by a friendly sapling that -bent over the stream. At first he could see nothing, coming as he did -from the bright moonlight; but in a moment he saw a hand just sinking -beneath the water—saw also a crocodile close by in the act of turning -over to seize his prey. Quick as thought he struck at the monster with -his staff, and then, plunging his arm deep in the water, caught the -fingers of Sextus just as they were passing out of reach, and drew the -body to the bank. It was apparently lifeless. The proper way of treating -such a body is no discovery of modern times. Aleph was not ignorant -of it, promptly used it, and found signs that life was not extinct, -though flickering in its socket. He took up the body and hastened -to return to the pinnace. He found it all alive with anxiety at his -disappearance—especially after the sounds of strife and rushing wheels -had faintly come to them. Seti and Rachel met him, as he stepped on board -with his burden, with a joyful welcome and inquiring looks. - -“Sextus Flaccus, nearly or quite murdered by his comrades—first -throttled, and then drowned!” - -A few swift words of further explanation, and Aleph hastened to the dais -with his burden, and for a long time bent every energy to restore the -vital warmth—by posture, by friction, by wrapping in rugs, by aiding the -ribs in the scarcely perceptible breathing movement, by fanning—Seti -assisting with advice and hands. It was a hard fight with death; but at -last came signs that their labor would not be in vain. Sextus breathed -regularly though feebly. His throat, which they had laid bare, and which -was all bruised and discolored by the strangling hands of the ruffians, -showed the efforts of the vital fluid to resume a forceful circulation. -At last he moaned and opened his eyes. Opened them on Aleph as he knelt -before him, fanning him, gently adjusting his position and wraps as -usefully as possible. Opened them at first in a vague, bewildered stare -into which soon came a grain of intelligence, then of astonishment, -then of alarm. He tried to raise himself. Aleph gently helped him. -Then followed a fixed gaze of absorbed inquiry in which thought seemed -wrestling with thought, each demanding of each, _What means all this? -Is it possible?_ He then quietly closed his eyes and seemed trying to -recollect himself. Seti and Rachel kept well behind, and watched with -breathless interest. Again Sextus opened his eyes—this time with full -intelligence in them. He tried to speak. No sound came. He tried again. -Aleph put his ear near the struggling lips. - -“Are you Aleph the Chaldean?” came in the faintest of whispers. - -Aleph nodded. - -“Aleph the prisoner?” - -Aleph nodded again. - -“Did you save me from the men, and the Nile, and—the crocodile?” Sextus -asked in a stronger voice. - -“What, did you notice the crocodile?” said Aleph. “I thought you were -beyond noticing anything.” - -“I saw him preparing to seize me—saw something worse than a crocodile; -for all my follies and sins of many years, including my treatment of -you, came up before me in one dreadful flash. Ah, it was a dreadful -sight—worse than any monster on sea or land!” - -“You see that it is possible to escape from monsters that are very near,” -said Aleph soothingly. “But I would not talk any more just now. You are -too weak. Let me adjust the rugs and wraps more comfortably for you, and -lie down again. You are among friends.” - -Sextus bent another long wondering gaze at the noble face that was -bending over him, and then resigned himself with closed eyes to the -gentle hands that laid him carefully down to a smoother and softer -resting place. In a few moments he was asleep. - -“Well,” said Seti, with a grave smile, “you _are_ a very strange young -man. Is this the way you treat enemies in your country? If so it is very -unlike any other country that I happen to know. Still, I confess that -the way, unprecedented as it is, has a good look to it, and may be worth -introducing into Egypt.” - -“Say not _unprecedented_, my dear grandfather,” said Rachel, “for you -know Deity treats men better than they deserve; and the Christ, it -seems, does the same. How forbearing he is toward his enemies, when he -could so easily overwhelm them!” - -Aleph was looking dreamily at the banks now fast gliding by (for the -pinnace was in full motion again and the dawn was kindling all things -into color and beauty), but at the word _Christ_ he turned inquiringly -toward Rachel. She understood him. - -“Yes,” she said, “we have something new to tell you about the -Christ—something new and wonderful that comes from a witness that I can -trust—my own mother”—and she proceeded to relate to him the history of -the resurrection of Lazarus and the consequent exasperation and plottings -of his enemies. - -“Having had little else to do, I have been thinking much of Him during -the last few days,” returned Aleph, “especially of what the prophets, -Isaiah and Daniel, say of his suffering character. ‘He was wounded for -our transgression, he was bruised for our iniquities, and the Lord has -laid on him the iniquities of us all: he was taken from prison and from -judgment, and who shall declare his generation, for he was cut off out -of the land of the living.’ And Daniel says, ‘And after three score and -two weeks shall the Messiah be cut off, but not for himself.’ So I am -expecting the worst and the best—the greatest sacrifice and the greatest -salvation the world has ever seen. Jesus is surely a king; but at present -his kingdom is not of this world. He will pass to his throne through the -gates of death. Then of his kingdom there will be no end.” - -He said this as a seer might say it, and with a new light in his face. - -Sextus slumbered on, hour after hour, as the vessel glided down the -silent river and the sun glided up the silent sky. Their morning meal was -spread for them and still he slept. But when they raised their heads, -after the priest had thanked Him who giveth to all their food, they saw -that his eyes were wide open and fastened on them. Aleph at once went -to him, helped him to a sitting posture, propped him with cushions and -rugs, and then brought him fruits and other food. He was now able to eat, -though but very slowly. Aleph did not leave him till his slow repast was -quite finished, and he was again settled into a restful position. During -all this he said not a word. - -It was not long after the meal and the general religious service that -immediately followed that they saw in the distance and coming toward -them a large galley evidently crowded with people. As it approached they -recognized the young men of the University; and the young men at the -same time recognized the commanding form of Aleph, who had risen for a -better view of the craft in which Seti seemed so interested. What a shout -from young throats suddenly broke into the sky! What a climbing into all -high places and lookouts! What a frantic flourish of hands and caps—yea, -of spears and swords and bucklers; for it was now plain that something -besides a cordial reception of a returning friend was in the thought of -the young men when they left Alexandria. They were prepared to fight as -well as to celebrate. - -“Hail Aleph the Chaldean!” Three times they had given this uproarious -greeting with full lungs and wild gesticulations; and there is no telling -when they would have stopped had not Aleph stepped on the bulwark toward -the galley and beckoned to them. They instantly became silent. - -“You see, my friends, that the venerable Seti has found me, and found me -safe and sound—thanks to Heaven and him. No matter where, no matter how: -he desires that no questions he asked about these things. My arrest and -abduction were not by the authorities: they were a private enterprise -altogether for which we may hold Draco responsible, if we can lay hands -on him. Apart from him all is buried. Many thanks to you for the generous -interest you have taken in the stranger, for the efforts and pains you -have been at on my account, and of which I have been duly informed. I did -not know when I joined the University what a company of generous and warm -hearted associates I would have. If my arm were long enough I would grasp -the hand of every one of you. Suppose it done till we meet again. Once -more; in return for your warm greetings, I am sure that I can give not -only my own but those of the dear friends in whose hands you see me, and -without whom I should not be here to-day.” - -Pausing a moment, he added, “I have a favor to ask. We have with -us a sick friend for whom quiet and rest are needed. For this -and other reasons we propose that you precede or follow us at a -considerable interval; and that we enter the city apart in as quiet and -undemonstrative a way as possible. We can demonstrate at our leisure -hereafter. I certainly shall want to demonstrate my gratitude.” - -One great cheer for the speaker; and another for “the empress of -Alexandria” as they now discovered Rachel beneath the curtain which she -had hastily let fall between herself and the approaching galley; and -then the galley silently dropped behind—far behind. But our friends could -hear faintly from it the music of song and instrument, and faintly see -the flutter of banners and streamers of all sorts all the way along the -river and canal. But when they entered the lake they quite lost sight and -hearing of the galley. So the pinnace came quietly to its old moorings. - -Up to this time Sextus had sat silent and almost motionless where he had -been placed. He now threw off his wraps and attempted to rise. With the -help of Aleph, who hastened to him, he succeeded; but he was not able to -stand alone. - -“I see a close palanquin on the shore,” said Aleph. “I will beckon for -it, and if you somewhat muffle the lower part of your face, you will not -be recognized. I will order the bearers to take you to Bruchium.” - -Sextus looked gratefully at him, and said in a low but decisive voice, “I -shall not forget this, as you soon will have occasion to know.” - -So they parted with mutual pressure of the hand. - -Then Aleph parted from Seti and Rachel—saying to the latter as she -reminded him of his promise to see Miriam, “Shall I also see the empress -of Rome?” His voice was somewhat unsteady. - -She hesitated for a moment, and then said, impulsively, “You will never -see her, if earth and Heaven can prevent it;” and her face shone with a -determination that was almost fierce. - -“If I only wore a diadem, I know at whose feet it would be laid”—he said -it simply, as to himself. - -“Aleph the Chaldean already wears a diadem which the daughter of -Alexander values more than any that will ever shine on the banks of the -Tiber,” was the reply. - -What is the use of being a princess and, by invitation, an empress, if -she cannot speak her mind frankly? But what _is_ her mind? Seti might -have used the same words. From his lips they would have meant high -approval and even admiration. Was this all that she meant? Did she -only pay such fitting intellectual tribute to Aleph as one pays to an -admirable statue, to the glorious stars, or to each of a hundred shining -historic persons? We admire them and praise them—but we can live without -them. We can leave the admirable statue in its palace or temple and very -contentedly go about our business, never to see it again. We can praise -Plato to the skies, and yet be quite willing to have him and his Republic -remain some twenty odd centuries away from us. Who has a right to say -that such was not the mind of Rachel?—appreciative, outspoken, Setian, -and—nothing more? - - - - -XV. - -THE CONFERENCES. - - Αυοῖν παρόντων ήμισυς λόγος πάρα. - - —ÆSCHYLUS, _Eum._ 428. - - _He hears but half who hears one side only._ - - 1. Legal preparations. - 2. A mixed cup. - 3. A critical conversation. - 4. For better or worse? - - - - -XV. - -THE CONFERENCES. - - -There were several reasons why the first wonder and rush of surmises -as to the reappearance of Aleph did not last long. They were let alone -severely. And then the rumors of an approaching visit from the Cæsar grew -stronger every day; and all eyes and tongues were strongly drawn toward -the daughter of Alexander and her probable views and feelings as to the -great alliance. In addition, the air was now full of the great trials -that were to come off in a few days—Malus against the two brothers, Malus -against Cimon, and Cimon against Malus. That Malus should venture to -attack anybody was not a matter for surprise; but that anybody should -venture to attack Malus was indeed wonderful. So the city had plenty -to talk about without querying long as to the where and how of Aleph’s -escape, with nobody to answer questions. - -The public interest grew exceedingly when it became plain, as it soon -did, that the contest would not be between two individuals, but between -two great parties. On the one side were Malus and the Flacci with -their host of dependents: on the other was Cimon, supported by all the -influence and forces of Seti and Alexander, as well as by the good-will -and prestige and family influence of both branches of the University, -with which Aleph was now unboundedly popular. Though he firmly declined -to give any information as to who the chief criminal in his abduction -was, and what the place of his confinement, and how he was rescued, the -students were not offended—following the lead of Cornelius and a few -others who had specially attached themselves to him, and to whom he -had said that his silence was to save embarrassment to Cimon and other -friends in their affairs. They looked in his face and believed him. -They heard the ring of his voice and were content both with him and -his friend—with Cimon, _because_ he was his friend. As Malus soon had -occasion to know. Not a student entered his warehouse. If one saw him -coming he ostentatiously crossed to the other side of the street. And the -vexed trader was compelled to listen to some serenades that were neither -very musical nor very complimentary. Of all such demonstrations in his -favor, Aleph was ignorant; though he was well aware on what side the -sympathies of his fellow-students were enlisted. - -I have said that the public assumed that the Flaccan influence would be -cast in favor of Malus. But one day an event occurred which unsettled -at least the University part of the public on this point. At the close -of one of Seti’s lectures and before the students had left, a herald -appeared at the door and announced his Excellency the Governor. Seti -stepped forward after a very cool and stately fashion to receive the -dignitary; and inquired what he could do to pleasure his Excellency. -His Excellency stated that he was fond of young men, and liked to look -in upon them now and then, in their curriculum; but that his special -object to-day was to congratulate both him and his young friend, who he -believed was called _Aleph the Chaldean_, on the success of the measures -for the rescue of the latter. - -“I _do_ congratulate you most heartily, venerable Sir—as I know that you -are much interested in the young man. Is he present?” And Flaccus looked -about on the students as if to discover him. - -“Will Aleph the Chaldean come forward?” said Seti: “His Excellency wishes -to congratulate him in person on his safety.” - -The young men were too much interested in what was passing to stand on -ceremony. The better to see everything, they stepped on the seats and -pommelled down obnoxious shoulders and heads. And they saw Aleph advance, -not only without embarrassment, but with a grace and even majesty that -would have become a king. And yet the kingly way was so unaffected and so -modest in its expression, as not to be offensive. - -“May it please your Excellency,” said Seti with emphasis, “this is the -young man for whom you have asked and whom you authorized us to rescue at -all costs.” - -“I am glad I did it. It was one of the best acts of my life,” exclaimed -Flaccus, as he looked up with undisguised astonishment at the figure and -face before him. - -Then with some hesitation he continued, “You do not seem, young man, to -have suffered much from your confinement. It could hardly have been very -severe without leaving some marks upon you. I see none whatever. I would -not object to being confined myself if I could reappear in as good a -condition as yours.” - -“Still, such a confinement as mine is not one which I can conscientiously -recommend to your Excellency,” returned Aleph. “It had some features -about it rather trying to the average constitution. I think that the -fact that I am here to-day in a sound condition is due to my having a -constitution considerably tougher than the average.” - -“No doubt it is so,” said the Roman. “I am glad that you have come off -so well. I have come here to say so; to express my pleasure at your safe -return; to congratulate you upon it; and also to congratulate you on -having secured in so brief a time such warm and most desirable friends as -I see about you. I trust you will count me among them.” - -“Aleph the Chaldean accepts with pleasure the kind words which your -Excellency does him the honor of offering; and himself feels that he has -been highly favored in finding in a strange land so many friends whom he -will never be willing or able to forget.” - -“I have another object in coming here to-day,” continued Flaccus. “My -son, who is sick, begs that you will visit him at the Cæsareum. Your -nation, I believe, is well versed in leech craft; and perhaps you can -help him. If you will take a seat with me in my chariot it will gratify -both him and me.” - -“I will go to your son almost immediately,” said Aleph. “But your -Excellency will excuse me for declining the honor of your chariot. A less -distinguished way of going will better suit my youth and circumstances.” - -To say that the students were astonished hardly does the facts justice. -Three things amazed them—that the Governor should take a step so likely -to be understood by the public as against Malus; that Sextus Flaccus, -sick or well, should send for Aleph; and that Aleph should carry himself -in so unembarrassed and independent and yet courtly manner in the -presence of the chief Roman dignitary. It was another revelation to them. -Some of them said, “Plainly, this is not the first time Aleph has dealt -with people in high places—he is too much at home with them to be dealing -with novelties.” - -Both that day, and daily for many days afterward, Aleph found his way to -the Cæsareum, and to the slowly recovering Sextus. What was said or done -in these interviews never transpired—at least among the students. I am -not prepared to say but that Seti and Rachel came to know of pleasant and -hopeful things. - -Well, it _is_ time to speak again of the lovely Jewess. Of course -Aleph, the very next day after his return, fulfilled his promise to -see Miriam—and all the more readily because Seti had domiciled himself -at Alexander’s until the return of his son in law. He found not only -Miriam but also Seti and Rachel in the family apartment. Great was his -surprise at the gain the nurse had made since he last saw her; and so -he was able to give congratulations as well as receive them. Miriam’s -congratulations, however, were rather lame in the expression; for when -she saw him enter without any sign, even the slightest, of harm from all -that he had passed through, her eyes filled with tears and she scarcely -found voice to say more than, _Thank God_. - -“You see,” said Rachel, “that Miriam has wonderfully improved within the -last few days; but I doubt whether you can guess to what the improvement -is owing.” - -“The skill of the leech?” suggested Aleph, smiling. - -“Nay—as if you did not know her leech!” and she lifted her eyebrows. - -“The excellent nursing?” - -“By no means—I can speak for that.” - -“The _want_ of nursing? The nurse has been busy elsewhere; and so nature -has had a chance to act freely. Excessive care is sometimes as hurtful as -no care at all.” - -“Still at fault,” cried the maiden. “Shrewd as you are, you will not -be likely to guess: so I must tell you. She took a new medicine; and -it was _Aleph the Chaldean_. Devising ways and means to get you out of -your difficulties, O much enduring Ulysses, O pious Æneas beaten about -in all seas—this is what has made the change that you see. It is a very -healthful business this rescuing Aleph the Chaldean.” - -Then followed a pleasant explanation of the part which Miriam had taken -in the rescue, and such a grateful recognition of it as it deserved. - -On the humorous plea that Miriam was indebted to him for her health, and -must make payment for the same in valuable information, Aleph proceeded -to ask her many questions suggested by her former narrative of what she -had heard and seen of Jesus. Rachel joined him in this. As a result they -found not a few difficulties removed or diminished by a better knowledge -of circumstances. - -During this questioning and cross questioning Seti sat a silent but alert -listener. Only at the close, when the young people fairly woke up to the -fact that for a long time he had said nothing, and turned deprecatingly -toward him, did he say, “You two would make very respectable advocates. -I hope Marcus Piso will examine witnesses as well in the approaching -trials. I am glad to see that your faith in Jesus does not forget the -claims of reason.” - -Here a parcel was brought in and given to Rachel. “From my mother,” she -exclaimed, as she glanced at the superscription. “This doubtless contains -further news of the Christ that will interest us all. Let us see.” - -She broke the seals. In a moment she became so absorbed in her reading -that, evidently, she was quite oblivious of her surroundings. Her face -became a mirror behind which appeared the whole changing heaven of her -moods and feelings. The first glance at the letter brought a shadow on -the beaming countenance. As she went on the shadows deepened apace—as -when clouds add themselves to clouds in advance of the storm. At last the -storm itself came. Her face became a picture of mingled astonishment, -compassion, indignation, and dismay. She dropped the letter on the floor, -exclaiming, “_Can it be! Where is the Almighty Avenger!_” And the tears -streamed between her fingers as she buried her face in her hands. - -Seti and Aleph had both watched her changing expressions with alarm—had -both risen and were now standing by her side. - -“What dreadful thing has happened, my child?” asked Seti. - -“They have murdered Him—_murdered_ Him—have murdered the CHRIST!” she -exclaimed: then turning to Aleph, “And you were right. You feared the -worst, and the worst has come. Can there be a bright side to such a -picture?” - -She tried to brush away the tears that she might better see the -expression of his face. - -He said gently, “I think I can conceive of a brighter side even to such -a terrible picture. But I see that you have not finished your reading. -Perhaps the remainder of the letter will contain the brighter side.” He -took it up from the floor and handed it to her. - -Thus encouraged, she resumed her reading. Almost immediately a change -appeared on her face. Her eyes opened widely with a new wonder, and -beamed with a new light. As she went on the shadows thinned away as fast -as they had thickened; the light and sweetness grew apace as does the -fairest morning; and at last the sun rose on every lovely feature as she -finished the manuscript and exclaimed, _God be praised—there is indeed a -brighter side!_ - -She turned to Aleph, “You are right again. Jesus lives. He has passed -through death to his throne.” - -“I do not think,” said he, “that you are now able to read to us the whole -wonderful account as your mother has written it. But perhaps you can -give us a briefer account in your own words—suiting the length to your -strength, and passing lightly over details that have tried you most.” - -“I will try. But I think that I could not even do this were it not for -the strength and courage which this last reading has given me.” - -After a moment she proceeded: “From the time of the resurrection of -Lazarus the chief men at Jerusalem, with two exceptions, have been bent -on the death of Jesus. On the night before the Passover, they sent an -armed force to Gethsemane, where he was praying, arrested him, took him -to the palace of the high-priest, went through a form of trying him for -blasphemy, condemned him (two only objecting), then hurried him to Pilate -the governor; and so importuned and worried and threatened the reluctant -Roman that he at last consented, but not until they had taken on -themselves and their children the whole guilt of the deed, to condemn him -to the cross. Then followed mocking, and buffeting and scourging. Then in -the early morning, accompanied by many weeping and wailing friends and -a mob of howling and exulting enemies, the soldiers took him to Calvary -and there crucified him between two robbers. Oh, the cruel, cruel spikes! -Oh, the more cruel jeers and mockings and tauntings and railings of the -soldiers—and even of his fellow sufferers! They evidently were suffering -far less than he. Those familiar with crucifixions had never before seen -such agony. All the signs of an inexpressible anguish were in both face -and form. And once he uttered a cry so terrible that Nicodemus, who -heard it, said that it would haunt him to his dying day. He had never -heard the like before: never could bear to hear the like again. He is -fully persuaded that the sun in all his circuits had never looked down -on such mortal agony, because it was the agony of Him on whom ‘God laid -the iniquities of us all.’ In fact, the sun refused at length to look on -the awful scene any longer. He had climbed over the eastern hills, and -up to the zenith, with undimmed face, when, all at once, he disappeared. -For three hours the darkness of God was over the whole land. Men could -hardly see one another. But the darkness of men was still greater than -the darkness of God. They still continued to cast at Jesus through the -lurid dimness the stones of their derision and insult until the end. At -the ninth hour the great Victim died—praying for his enemies. Then the -earth quaked mightily. Ancient rocks that had defied men and time broke -in pieces before the silent cross. The veil of the temple was rent in -twain by unseen hands. Even dead men came from their graves, to meet -Jesus as he descended into his. ‘_Truly_,’ said the centurion who had the -crucifixion in charge, ‘_truly this was the Son of God!_’ - -“When all was over, the disciples smote their breasts and returned to the -city, filled with horror and almost despair. Who could have thought it! -Is there really no humanity on earth, and no divinity in Heaven! Is this -the end of their hopes—this the end of their long and fondly expected -kingdom of God! From the towering summits of faith to the depths of doubt -and misery—what a fall! My mother was not able to see the more immediate -disciples for two or three days; for she was crushed in both body and -heart: but Nicodemus kept her informed as to everything. Besides, she -knew how they were feeling from knowing how she felt herself. She was -prostrated before the awful mystery. She was dazed and almost incapable -of thought under the mighty shock. And yet she had at the bottom of -her heart a feeling that this could not be the end. God _cannot_ be so -defeated by man. - -“So much for the tragedy. Had this been all that my mother wrote I could -never have smiled again. Her account filled me with shame and horror and -wrath. It seemed to me that God would have been just if he had at once -smitten those murderers into the lowest Tophet. God forgive me! but I -almost felt as if I could do it myself. I felt as if I belonged to an -accursed and doomed race. Yes, I felt as if I could never smile again. -But you see that I can (and her face wet with tears shone out upon him, -with bewildering radiance); and it is because the tragedy has a triumph -for its sequel. - -“On the third day after the crucifixion Nicodemus came home in great -excitement, saying that the Roman guard which Pilate, at the solicitation -of the Jewish chiefs, had set about the tomb where the body of Jesus had -been placed, came into the city early in the morning and reported to the -chiefs with scared faces and trembling lips that One with a form bright -as the lightning had flashed down from the sky in their sight, rolled -away the stone from the door of the sepulchre, and sat upon it. They -fell to the earth, and became as dead men. When they came to themselves -they found the angel gone and the tomb open and empty. Great was the -perplexity of the leaders on hearing this; but they finally resolved, -Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea protesting, to fortify one crime by -another, and gave a large sum of money to the soldiers to say that the -body was stolen while they slept. This recalled vividly to my mother’s -mind what Jesus had once said, but which, in common with the other -disciples, she had taken as having some figurative meaning, ‘_And the -third day I will rise again_.’ - -“Soon after, one of the maids of the house, who also was a disciple and -had been out at the market, came hastily home, saying that some of the -apostles and others had seen angels at the sepulchre who told them that -Jesus had risen—had even seen Jesus himself and spoken with him. My -mother could no longer restrain herself, but hurried away to a place -where the disciples were wont to gather; and found many assembled. The -room was in a fever of restless pacings to and fro, of eager questionings -and answerings. Seen him? Spoken with him? Sure there is no mistake? -Peter and certain women were in great request, for they could say _Yes_ -to all such questions. The joy of assured conviction shone in some -faces; a hope that still feared in others. It seemed too good to be -true. Thomas, one of the Twelve, declared it could not be true: there -must be some delusion in it—either of the senses, or the nerves, or -the imagination. He would not believe without the concurrent witness -of at least three senses. He had scarcely said this, when, though the -doors were closed, they saw Jesus himself standing among them with the -well-known form and features and voice; and he said to Thomas, ‘Reach -hither thy finger and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand and -thrust it into my side; and be not faithless but believing.’ Thomas broke -down at once. Doubt was impossible. Not a ray of hesitation remained -with any. None understood the sublime march of events; none knew what -prodigies were yet to come, whether his enemies would now be swept away -and a visible Divine Kingdom set up, or not; but of this all were sure -that he who had died on the cross was again alive among them. And they -rejoiced with exceeding great joy—though the joy yet felt the swell and -tossing of the just departed storm. - -“Since then my mother has seen the Messiah several times. But he never -shows himself to the people at large. It is now understood among the -disciples that in a short time, after meeting them in Galilee, he will -return to Heaven—leaving his disciples to preach in his name forgiveness -of sins to all nations who will repent and believe.” - -“I think I will read to you,” added Rachel, “the last page or two of -the letter, that you may see what views are now being held by those -immediately about Jesus as to his person and work.” She read: - -“Now we all know that my thought was right—that his death was an -atonement for the sins of all men; and that the victims which have been -offered from the beginning were only types of this great Victim. And I -say to myself, What must be the nature and dignity of him whose death can -atone for all human sin? Must he not be Divine as well as human? Must -he not be God manifest in the flesh? Who else could make so mighty an -expiation?—who else save he of whom it is written, ‘And the government -shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful, -Counsellor, the mighty God, the Everlasting Father,’ and who has said of -himself, ‘I and my father are one?’ - -“I cannot return home just yet—much as I wish to see you and others. -This great opportunity of seeing and hearing for a brief time longer the -Redeemer of the world is too precious to be sacrificed. Besides, the -successive tides of grief and joy have so shaken me that I am unfit to -travel. - -“Read what I have written to your dear grandfather. Oh, that he were -here—his fairness of mind and penetration would be sure to place him on -the side of Jesus. - -“Of course I have written the same things to your dear father and -brothers at Rome—hoping that amid their great schemes of business and -ambition they will find room for faith, _my_ faith. May they not be among -‘The rulers who take counsel together against the Lord and against his -Anointed?’ As to you I have no doubt, even though the lot of Esther”—the -maiden broke off abruptly with a flush and a shudder, and busied herself -for a little in adjusting the leaves of the manuscript. - -This letter led to a long conversation; I should say to long -conversations. Daily, for many days, Aleph came to his friends; and daily -the great theme was Jesus the Christ. Seti never failed to be present, -and never failed to be silent—save when a brief inquiry could bring -light. But, the day before the trials were to begin, he was absent, -arranging last things with his lawyer. Miriam also was absent. - -The unfailing and unwearying topic of topics again came up; and after a -delightful talk about the past and the future of the Messianic history, -Aleph inquired about the attitude of Seti. - -“My own impression has been,” said he, “that it was better for a mind -like his, so fair and penetrating and judicial, to be left largely to -feel its own way to the truth. So I have made no formal effort to commend -our own faith to him—save by shaping my inquiries of Miriam and our talks -with each other so as to furnish answers to questions which a great and -philosophic mind would naturally ask on its way to a just conviction. -Have I been right in this?” - -“I think so,” she answered. “Such men, my father says, must convince -themselves. The most we can do is to get the material for judgment within -their reach. And I think we have done this successfully in the case of my -grandfather. His mind is open to evidence from all quarters. He has no -national or race prejudices. He married a Caucasian princess; and was -willing that my mother should marry a Hebrew. Signs are not wanting to me -that his judgment is slowly but surely settling in favor of Jesus, not -only as a divine messenger, but even as an incarnation of the One God. -And yet I do not think that he has any idea of relinquishing his position -as primate of the Egyptians.” - -“I see no reason why he should,” returned Aleph. “He holds the original -Egyptian position in matters of faith; also that of the higher priesthood -all through the Egyptian history. He fairly represents the religion of -the land as it was when his office was established: his predecessors have -wrongfully used their power to change the ancient faith and practice; he -can rightfully use his power to restore it. Meanwhile, he is acting no -part; he is perfectly frank and outspoken as to his views and objects; -his function requires of him no endorsement of idolatry or even a refusal -of the Hebrew Scriptures and their Messiah. He could, to-day, say to his -College of Priests, not only that, like the far-back fathers, he believes -in one Infinite God who only is to be worshipped with Divine honors, but -also that he believes that this God has just appeared in the person of -Jesus—he could freely say all this and his subordinate priests would not -be stumbled. So I think that no law, human or divine, requires him to -surrender the advantages of his position in favor of some one who would -promote the national apostasy instead of reforming it.... But I could -wish to see him pronounced in favor of Jesus before I leave the country.” - -“That, I trust, will not be soon?” said Rachel, with a startled look. - -“As soon as these trials are fairly over, I suppose.” - -“What!” she exclaimed with a look of dismay, “I thought you would remain -a long time, studying our institutions, enlarging your knowledge of the -Western World, especially getting an inside view of our University life -and teachings. Be persuaded to remain—a long, very long time. Seti had -rather lose all the rest of the University. I do not think he could be -persuaded to part with you at all. And I think,” she stammered, “all your -friends here feel very much the same.” - -He replied, “My father did not propose for me a long stay in this city. -Through my Greek preceptor I was already considerably acquainted with -the matters you mention. They have been merely collaterals to two main -purposes—which were, first, to learn what could be learned about the -Messiah who, as my father believed, was born at Bethlehem some thirty -years ago; and, second, to investigate the proceedings of Malus. As -side issues my father wished me to get such improvement as a young man -might from seeing the world, and from being under the necessity of -judging and acting for himself among all sorts of men and under all -sorts of conditions. And as soon as the great objects of my visit could -be accomplished he wished me to return. I am an only child: the father -wishes to see his son, and the son wishes to see the father. And if I -can return through Judea and see the Messiah, and carry away from him -to my parents a blessing, I shall consider my mission accomplished. But -it will cost me something—very much indeed—to go away, even though it -be homeward. I never expected to find such friends in Alexandria as I -have found; and, as the day approaches for me to say farewell to them, -I find I am approaching one of the greatest trials of my life. What -wonderful kindness they have shown the nameless stranger who could not, -consistently with his father’s wishes, furnish the commonest letter of -introduction! And what delightful hours have I spent in this house with -one whose views and feelings on the most important of all subjects have -harmonized so completely with my own! Yes, it will cost me much to go -away—I did not know how much till I received yesterday a letter of recall -from my father (his lip quivered); and I doubt whether I have even now a -full sense of the bitterness that will come in saying last words. But, if -they must be said, it is doubtless better that they be said a week hence -than at some remoter time. I feel that my heart is less and less under my -control with every passing day. You see (he added with a sad smile) that, -if there were no other reasons, I must go away to escape from you: Rachel -is too mighty for Aleph the Chaldean. When one cannot conquer it is best -to leave the field.” - -“Flight is disgraceful,” exclaimed Rachel with sparkling eyes. “Better -die on the field. But I will be merciful to my captive. He shall live.” - -“To be dragged at your chariot wheels—to grace the triumph of her at -whose feet lies the empire of the West?” He rose. - -She also rose and came toward him. “You are quoting; or you are thinking -of a distant somebody of whom you have heard and whom you have despised. -Surely you are not thinking of _me_. It is true, if I must say it, that -I have been offered the Roman purple in the person of the heir-apparent; -and that to-day the elders of my people have been here to urge my -acceptance of the proposals—for the public good. I listened to what they -had to say and was silent—following the counsel of my grandfather. But to -you I will not be silent. I have never seen Germanicus, and never want to -see him. The empire of the West will have to wait long at my feet before -I take it up. I will have none of it. I had rather die.” - -She hesitated a moment and then went on, while a celestial blush spread a -new loveliness over every feature, “So you see that you need not go away -to escape from me. The daughter of Alexander was glad, beyond measure, to -hear that she was beloved by Aleph the Chaldean. She accepts his love and -gives him as large in return.” - -Even Aleph could be transfigured. And it was nothing less than -a transfiguration that now took place in his face at this frank -declaration. Rachel had seen that face in many moods of thoughtfulness, -watchfulness, resolve, pity, gratitude, command; but she had never before -seen it radiant with joy. Now she saw it—wonderingly and blissfully saw -it. All the flood gates of the morning seemed suddenly opened in his -face. Such eloquence beamed upon her from that illuminated page that she -needed no voice to interpret it. But a voice came—with a curious accent -of surprise and inquiry. - -“Can it be that I hear aright? Can it be that the greatest good fortune -of my life thus far has come to me to-day; and that the maiden for whose -favor princes strive can give her heart and hand to one who is to her -merely Aleph the Chaldean—the unknown?” - -“You are _not_ unknown,” she replied with a face as radiant and -transfigured as his own. “It is true that I do not know whether you -are rich or poor, whether prince or peasant, but this I know, that in -yourself alone you deserve the warmest love that woman can give; and I -give it. You shall be my emperor.” - -“What will Seti say?” - -“He will say as I do—proud old Pharaoh as he is.” - -“What will your father say—the rich, the ambitious?” - -“He will say as Seti says till he comes to know you better; and then -he will say as I do. Much as he values money, I happen to know that he -values merit more.” - -“What will the city say? That the Gem of Alexandria, who might have -chosen the greatest and best in the land, and even been mistress of the -West, has thrown herself away on a nameless adventurer?” - -“Perhaps. But I do not propose to marry to suit the city.” - -In a moment she found herself in his arms, and felt his warm, lingering -lips on her forehead. She looked up at him archly and said: - -“And what will _your_ father say?” - -“Ah, that is a very serious question!” he answered with a smile; “but -fortunately I can answer it better to-day than I could have done -yesterday. This morning I saw Cimon, and, on my telling him my feelings -toward you, he surprised me by saying that it was my father’s hope that -during my absence I might find among the chosen people some suitable -maiden to share my lot and be to him a daughter—that his wandering Jacob -might somewhere find a Rachel. And Cimon, from whom I have kept nothing, -is satisfied—nay, more, is delighted. So thus I answer your question. My -father will say as Cimon does, and Cimon will say as I do.” - -How long Aleph tarried at this unwatered wine I do not know; but I happen -to know that he did not become so intoxicated but that he could hold a -long business consultation afterward with Piso and Seti about the trials -that were to begin the next day. - -He was driving the chariot of the sun; but he held the fiery coursers -well in hand. - - - - -XVI. - -THE BASILICA. - - Οί δὲ δίκας ξείνοιο καὶ ενδήμοισι διδοῦσιν, τοῖσι τεθηλε πόλις. - - HESIOD, _Works_, 223. - - _Those who administer the laws with justice to foreigners and - natives—by these the city flourishes._ - - 1. Before the courts. - 2. Is Themis blind? - 3. Fiat justitia. - 4. Buat cælum. - - - - -XVI. - -THE BASILICA. - - -The courts of Alexandria were held in the great Basilica at the -intersection of Emporium Street with the Street of Canopus. - -Among the Romans, subject peoples were, as far as possible, left to be -governed by their own laws and customs. Accordingly all suits between -persons of the same nation were first tried by their own judges. An -appeal could be taken from these to a Roman court. Also, the case went to -a Roman court if the judges failed to agree on a verdict. - -The suit of Malus against the two brothers, Shaphan and Nathan, for the -non-payment of the sum they had agreed to give for his rights in their -khan-business, together with interest on the same for nearly thirty years -(time did not outlaw debts in Alexandria), being between Jew and Jew, -came before Jewish judges, who happened to be equally divided between the -two chief synagogues. - -In suits of this kind, and indeed of almost every kind, it was customary -for the more immediate friends of either party to give him moral support -by taking seat with him in the court-room. Of course Malus was not -unprovided with sympathizers. Nor were Shaphan and Nathan. On their side -of the room sat Seti and Aleph, as well as some of the principal men of -the Diapleuston. - -I do not propose to give a detailed account of proceedings. Those who are -curious about the formalities of ancient courts, Jewish or Roman, must -seek for them in other works. I touch only _fastigia verum_. - -The advocate of Malus first stated briefly the accusation. Then Malus -made oath that the statement was correct. Next the defendants made oath -to the contrary. Then Piso, as advocate for the defendants, proceeded -to question Malus. Was it not possible that he had long ago received -payment, but had gradually, through press of affairs of much greater -consequence, lost sight of the fact? Malus replied that he was not apt -to be forgetful in business matters: besides, he distinctly remembered -having made an annual application in writing at the beginning of each -year for the sum due him, to say nothing of many personal applications. -He was prepared to furnish witnesses to the fact of such applications, -both written and oral, during a full quarter of a century. - -Piso inquired why he had not brought suit before. Malus replied that he -had not been pressed for money; but that the leading motive for his long -delay had been _mercy_. He hated to push matters to extremities; but -had at last come, very reluctantly, to feel that forbearance with such -unscrupulous persons was no longer a virtue, but rather an encouragement -to wrong-doing. - -Here his advocate suggested that he probably was in the habit of giving a -receipt for moneys paid him. - -“I _always_ do it,” he said promptly. “Of course a receipt is always -expected and demanded in case of large payments. If the defendants had -paid me the money due they would have demanded a receipt and I should -have given it. Let them produce my receipt.” - -Malus indulged himself with what he meant for a smile, which was broadly -imitated by his party. - -“Do you recognize this?” inquired Piso, producing a discolored sheet of -papyrus, and handing it to Malus. The man’s hand visibly trembled as he -took it; and as his eye glanced along the page he could not prevent a -ripple of dismay from passing across his features. But it was gone in an -instant. - -“A very clever forgery!” he sneered. - -Piso took back the paper and handed it to the judges, together with some -letters which he himself had received from Malus in course of years on -business matters. - -“The honorable judges will perceive,” said he, after a few moments had -been allowed for a comparison of the papers, “that if the receipt is a -forgery, it is an exceedingly clever one—perhaps will perceive that it is -so clever that none but an expert scribe, who has made a close study of -the plaintiff’s handwriting in many specimens, could possibly have done -it. This is what the leading scribes in the city tell me, and are here to -testify. But Shaphan and Nathan are _not_ skillful scribes—as you may see -from these specimens received from them in course of business,”—and he -passed over to the judges a parcel. - -After a few moments he resumed. “But the honorable judges should further -notice that the receipt bears the signatures of two witnesses, as was -customary years ago in transactions of such magnitude. These witnesses -have given me some trouble. They left the city shortly after signing -this document, and I could not find any one who knew where they were. -The probability was that they were dead; for they were not young when -they disappeared, and thirty years make havoc with old people. But -yesterday, without concert and from opposite directions, they for the -first time returned to the city—each drawn by a mysterious feeling that -he was wanted and _must_ not stay away. They are in this room now; can -be identified by persons here present who formerly knew them well; will -testify to their own signatures, and anew to the well-remembered fact -that Malus received his money in their presence.” - -Turning again to Malus, Piso said, “You say that this receipt is a -forgery—to whom do you attribute the forgery?” - -“Of course to those who could hope for advantage from it—to Shaphan and -Nathan.” - -“The honorable judges and all here present will please notice,” exclaimed -Piso, “that Malus has publicly charged my clients with the crime of -forgery; a charge which I deny in their name, against which their general -repute testifies, and for which I propose to bring suit against him at -fitting opportunity. He shall _prove_ what he now asserts, or suffer the -penalty prescribed by law to false accusers. Meanwhile, my clients are -held innocent by the law as not yet having been proved guilty; and this -case must be decided on the assumption that they have _not_ committed a -forgery.” - -Of course the advocate on the other side was voluble and shrewd. He had -not practiced in the school of Malus many years in vain; but had his ways -of making the worse appear the better—pushing some things to the front, -others to the rear; throwing a shadow here and a glare there; slurring -over this and dwelling on that; magnifying little things and dwarfing -great ones—all after the manner of unscrupulous advocates in every age -The result was that the four judges were equally divided—the Diapleuston -pair deciding for the brothers, the others for Malus. So the case went -the next day to the Roman Court held in another room of the same Basilica. - -Malus was not discouraged by this. He counted on the Flaccan influence -being in his favor; and, quite as much, on his reputation of being on -good terms with the Roman authorities. He hoped to see some Romans of -standing, who might be supposed inspired by Flaccus, occupying seats on -his side of the house; also to get from the judges, as they came in and -took their seats, some furtive glances of recognition and encouragement. -He was disappointed. Still, official people have to be prudent in showing -their favoritism; and he still hoped that the powerful magnates at -Bruchium were surely, though secretly, at work for him. - -The case was reviewed, the arguments for and against were repeated -without material change, the same testimonies were given as before—save -that Piso was now able to bring forward witnesses to show that, when his -clients informed Malus of the loss of the receipt and asked for another, -he did not deny having given one, but deferred giving a duplicate just -then because of press of business. - -The verdict was against the plaintiff. - -Malus was astonished at this unusual experience. It was a blow at his -prestige. There was no telling but that other victims of his craft and -greed, encouraged by this defeat, might turn upon him. Also, it looked as -though his Roman friends were beginning to fail him. Still, he was a man -of audacity; had grown into a vast confidence in himself and his star; -believed more in Simon Magus and his pleasing predictions than in God and -eternal justice: moreover, he said to himself that the Romans in this -small matter were trying to appear impartial, so as to break the force of -public criticism and suspicion when they should come to decide for him in -the larger matters pending. So he managed to keep up heart. Does not many -a bright day begin in clouds? Has not many a victory been introduced by a -check? - -The next day brought on his suit against Cimon the Greek—to be tried in -the same place, before the same Judges and Prætor. He was on the ground -very early, with an enlarged body of sympathizers and a cheerful aspect. -His friends copied his example, and beat the copy. They were almost -hilarious. They thought that it would help to gain a battle, to assume -it to be already gained. The real object of Malus, however, in being at -the Basilica considerably in advance of time, was to get, if possible, -an opportunity to convey a note, or a word, through some sub-official of -the court, to one or more of the judges before they took their seats. -This he was able to do; for he made it worth the while for janitors and -pursuivants to oblige him. - -When the Prætor and Judges came in he watched their faces for some -auspicious sign. But they were still very prudent—unnecessarily so, he -thought. In his heart he cursed them for it. It was carrying matters -quite too far. They might at least give him a glance that would mean much -to him while not compromising them. But they did not even look his way. -He would make them sweat for it some day. - -Cimon, whom we have not seen for too many days, had come in escorted -by two officers; whom, however, he seemed escorting. Seated near him -were, not only Seti and Aleph, but also Alexander, who had arrived from -Rome during the last night, together with a large delegation from the -Diapleuston Seventy. This was not a pleasant sight to Malus: but it was a -relief, as he looked about from under his bushy eyebrows, to see seated -with his own company several Roman officers well known as the intimates -of Sextus Flaccus. “It is all right,” said he to himself. “It is all -wrong,” said the thoughts on the other side of the house—with a few -exceptions. These exceptions said, “_The Lord reigneth_; I will not fear -what man can do to me.” - -According to custom, the court opened with an outline-statement from -the advocate of the plaintiff. The defendant had visited the warehouse -of Malus, was shown by his conductor through the department of eastern -goods, was observed to notice particularly the jewels. Soon after he -left, and before any other person had come in, the young man who had -conducted him, becoming disturbed as he thought of the suspicious -appearance of the stranger, returned to the jewelry room and found a -certain casket, containing gems worth fifty thousand _aurei_, to be -missing. Whereupon Malus set inquiries on foot, found out where the -stranger lodged, obtained a search warrant, found the casket hidden in -his room but empty, and had him arrested for theft. His client would say -whether this statement was correct. - -According to custom, Malus made oath that the facts were as stated—made -oath “by Him who reigns in Heaven”; for such was the blanket oath that -could be taken alike by the man who believed in Jupiter, or in Zeus, or -in Osiris, or in Jehovah. - -Then Piso outlined his defense. “Some facts had been correctly stated. -Cimon did visit the warehouse, was conducted through the jewelry -department, did notice the cabinet of jewels in passing. Also, the casket -was seemingly found in his room. But _he_ did not carry it there. That -was done by the agent of Malus who conducted the searching party, in -order to make out a case against Cimon, whom Malus had reason to fear and -wished to discredit and remove. His client would say whether the facts -had been correctly stated.” - -Cimon made oath that, to the best of his belief, the facts were as stated. - -Omitting the plea for the plaintiff which came next, the witness-bearing -on both sides, the questionings and cross-questionings by the advocates, -I will give a summary of Piso’s plea, which came last. - -He began with gravely ridiculing the idea that anything in the appearance -of Cimon should have suggested to his conductor that he was a thief. -“The Judges can see for themselves that the story is incredible. So far -as appearances go, there is not a man here less likely to do what has -been charged upon him than Cimon, the Greek. Further, it appears from -the testimony of the Alabarch that this man, whose face is written all -over with the natural marks of honesty and high character, has a credit -with him for 200,000 gold staters; and so is a very unlikely person to -steal what might be, as everybody knows, a box of sham jewels, or even -an empty box. Further, the Superintendent of the jewelry department has -testified that he saw the casket in its place after Cimon had left; and -it cannot be claimed that he gave this testimony in revenge for his -dismissal from his post, because he brought me the information before the -dismissal took place. Further, the young man called Aleph the Chaldean, -and a much esteemed member of the University, has testified that he was -present when the search was made, and actually saw the Cretan agent of -Malus furtively slip the casket from the bosom of his own tunic as he -pretended to grope for it on his knees in the dimmer part of the room: -and the Cretan himself, at last tired of the wickedness he has been set -to do, and fearing the avenging heavens and his own awaking conscience, -has confessed that such was the fact—that Malus had employed him to play -that part, and, lest he should be tempted to run away with the casket, -had opened it in his presence and showed that it was empty, instead of -containing gems to the value of 50,000 staters. - -“The advocate on the other side has asked what possible motive could -Malus have for attacking maliciously a stranger who had never crossed -his plans, or even his path, till a few days ago. That point was well -taken. People do not act without motive, and what seems to them a -sufficient motive: and it is incredible that so shrewd a man as Malus -should lay a plot to brand Cimon as a thief, and shut him up in prison, -and, in default of 50,000 staters, sell him into slavery, without some -powerful reason for doing it. And such reason exists. The plaintiff had -become aware that Cimon had unearthed a gigantic system of embezzlement -on his part which threatened to destroy his reputation, subject him to -heavy punishments, and sacrifice a large part, if not the whole, of his -fortune. To prevent this ruin he contrived this plan to smutch Cimon as a -low criminal whose accusation was unworthy of notice—also to remove him -from view and possibility of action, first by incarceration, and then by -sale into some distant servitude, as our laws permit in case of insolvent -debtors. All this will be proved when the next suit in order shall come -before the court. - -“As this last is evidently a vital point, the Prætor and Judges, might do -well to consider whether it would not be well to reserve their decision -of this case until after the suit of Cimon against Malus has been tried. -They can safely be promised great additional light.” - -Such, for substance, was what Piso said in a much enlarged form. Strong -opposition was made to his proposal for postponement by the Malus party; -but, after a good deal of mutual consultation on the part of the Prætor -and Judges, and, as the day was already far spent, it was at length -decided to reserve the decision in hope of additional light on the morrow. - -Malus was now thoroughly roused. Under the stolid and uninterpretable -exterior with which he retired from the Basilica everything was -ablaze—all his shrewdness, all his determination, all his wrath, all his -daring. He was a born gambler, and could coolly stake everything on a -last throw. To-morrow he _must_ conquer. To-morrow he _would_ conquer. -The stars should fulfill themselves by fighting for him. Simon should -weave his spells and summon his mightiest spirits all the live-long night -in his behalf. But he would not neglect to supplement magic with all the -human expedients for winning success. He had prospered so long that he -had come to feel that prosperity was both his destiny and his due. He had -made people his prey so long that they seemed _made_ to be victimized: -he had the right of a fisherman to draw into his net as many fishes as -possible by all possible ways and means. He had used the right freely, -made many captures, and hitherto had not found a captive large enough to -break through his net. He determined that his steady run of good luck -should not fail him. He spent the whole night with his lawyer—trying to -forecast the course of accusation and evidence which the other party -would take, and the best ways of resisting the same. Among these ways -he decided should be a more decided and potent invoking of his Roman -friends to come to his aid. He thoroughly believed in the venality of -every Roman, from the governor downward or upward. Some could be bought -for less than others—but all could be bought. Perhaps his hints had not -been sufficiently broad: perhaps he had not hinted at sums sufficiently -large in the case of some. Now he would mend all that. The governor -should have an offer that he could not misunderstand; and one that even a -governor would find it worth his while to accept. So of the city Prætor -and Judges. Each should have his gratification, and a large one. It would -be costly work: but then he could easily and swiftly reimburse himself -if his situation could be made secure. Such was his confidence, after -all, in the sympathy of the authorities and in the power of money that he -was able to face the new day with untrembling nerves, despite the vigils -of the night. Had not trusty messengers gone in all directions with -instructions to make all sure, _sure_—regardless of expense? - -The Basilica was crowded long before the hour. Malus had with him all -his friends of the day before, and, in addition, the leading men of -his synagogue. On the other side, besides those of the day before, was -a large delegation from the University, with Philo and Cornelius at -their head—also a large number of by no means showy people, apparently -small traders and shop-keepers, whose “moral support” the students -seemed at first inclined to laugh at, but, at a hint from Piso, ended in -making much of. Among these last was the Phenician of Chapter Second, -sitting between his Cretan oppressor and Malus’s discharged clerk. It is -doubtful whether Malus recognized these persons—they were well in the -rear; and besides he deigned only a glance at the nobodies, being on the -lookout for only somebodies, for people of station and weight and large -consideration. Of this class he as yet saw no addition to the other side, -save the students; and them he was prepared to see. - -It was now almost time for the court to open, when an unusual stir was -heard at the main door of the Basilica; and shortly the Governor made -his appearance, attended by several sub-officials and supporting his -son Sextus. The young man was very pale, leaned hard on his father, -and, before he had advanced far, became faint and motioned toward the -first vacant seats they came to—which chanced to be on Malus’s side of -the house. Accordingly, the party fell in there, and busied themselves -in trying most officiously to help the invalid—offering this and that -restorative, making this and that inquiry, and generally making him as -miserable as they could well do by shutting off from him air and light -and quiet. - -Malus was overjoyed. Plainly his last move had been a successful one. The -powers had at last shown their hand. Now he was _sure_ what the result of -the trial would be. He shot a glance of triumph at Piso; and was in the -act of rising to go and pay his respects to his excellency and offer his -services toward making the sick man still more uncomfortable, when the -voice of the crier was heard, loudly demanding order and announcing the -opening of the court. He looked at the tribunal. The Prætor and Judges -were already in their places. So the best he could do was to throw toward -his Roman friends, so opportunely arrived, as much of a mingled look of -concern and sympathy and welcome as his wooden face would permit. - -According to Roman forms, the advocate of the plaintiff first stated -briefly his accusation. Some thirty years ago a merchant from Chaldea -visited the city; made Malus his agent for the sale of certain costly -goods to be sent to him from time to time; and, from that time to this, -made frequent and heavy consignments—at first satisfactorily, but with -growing dissatisfaction as the years went on, on account of the smallness -of the returns; this smallness being ascribed by Malus partly to losses -in transit from shipwreck and robberies, partly to enormous custom-house -exactions, and partly to poor markets. Finally, the suspicions of the -merchant became so strong that he sent his friend Cimon to Alexandria to -make inquiries and to take such action as his representative as should -seem fitting. Inquiries had shown that the statements of Malus were false -at all points—the receipts which he had given as harbor-master show that -all the goods sent have been received in good condition; the registers -of the custom house, which his excellency the Governor has allowed to be -examined, show that only a part of the goods received have been entered -for duty, and that the duty actually paid on the part entered has been -far less than reported (as also appears from the testimony of the chief -of the custom house): finally, the testimony of the leading houses -engaged in the eastern trade, including that of Malus himself, shows that -the market price for nearly all the thirty years has been far higher than -Malus has reported. Proof of all these statements would be submitted at -the proper time. In view of them it appears that Malus is indebted to -Cimon, the agent, in the sum of one million gold staters, exclusive of -the interest which the law allows in such cases. The Judges could now -see why Malus could wish to discredit Cimon as a low criminal and remove -both him and his companion from the scene. It was to discredit and, if -possible, prevent a suit that threatened him with ruin of both fortune -and reputation. - -Did the plaintiff accept these statements as correct? Cimon accepted. - -Then the advocate of Malus briefly denied the charge, and stated as -chief points of the defense—that the harbor-receipts, beyond those for -goods actually found registered at the custom house, are forgeries; -that what purported to be Malus’s accounts to his Chaldean principal -of exorbitant duties and poor markets were also forgeries; that very -many of his accounts and remittances had been ignored; that, instead -of owing the Chaldean anything, he had dealt with him on a principle -of large liberality, and had paid him considerably more than he could -equitably claim. He expected to show that his client was the object of -a great conspiracy—that people whom nobody knew, whose very names were -fictitious, and who certainly had no visible standing and reliability, -had conspired to rob and ruin a man of the first standing; and had -craftily taken advantage of old feuds and religious differences to secure -abettors. The case was really one between the allegations of nobodies -and those of a prominent and honored citizen. - -Did the defendant accept these statements? Malus accepted. - -Here Sextus Flaccus struggled to his feet, and with the help of his -father and the well-meant hindrance of the other Romans about him, feebly -and slowly made his way to the opposite benches. Malus was yet standing -and saw every movement. He had just finished one oath—and he felt like -taking another. It was with difficulty that he commanded himself enough -to sink quietly into his seat. What could this mean? Had his agents -betrayed him? Had the stars, and the magic spells, and the mighty demons, -and even Avilleus Flaccus at last failed him? He was almost stunned -by the sudden fall from the heights of confidence to the depths of -discouragement. - -As soon as the room was again quiet, Piso produced his documents and -witnesses. After these had been canvassed by both parties, Piso proceeded -to sum up for Cimon somewhat after this manner: - -“It is a very easy thing to cry ‘forgery’ and ‘conspiracy.’ Anybody -can do that, provided he has no conscience. I demand that my client be -_proved_ a forger and conspirator. Until that is done he has a legal -right to be considered innocent. - -“I happened to foresee what course the defense would take, and so was -very glad to meet, yesterday, in the city, the Superintendent of Customs -at Myos Hermos. This man, who has held his post for more than forty -years, and is well known to the authorities here as reliable beyond -question, has testified that all the parcels of goods which we claim -to have been sent from the East were duly received and recorded at his -port, and thence forwarded to Alexandria, and acknowledged by Malus -as harbor-master. This settles the matter. Malus has received in good -condition all the goods sent him—his sworn denials and charges of forgery -to the contrary notwithstanding. - -“Just here I call the attention of the Judges to a noteworthy fact: -we did not send for this venerable witness from Myos Hermos. Though -we thought of him and wanted him, we knew that we could not bring -him in time for the trial. How, then, does it happen that he is here -so opportunely? You have heard his explanation. He had no particular -business of his own to draw him to the city, nor was he aware of the -present suit; only he felt pressed and drawn to be here on a certain day -by a mysterious influence which he was afraid to resist. It looks as if -the very Heavens themselves were concerned to have justice done in this -case. - -“We have seen that Malus received, in good condition, all the goods sent. -Only one question remains: Has he duly accounted for them all to his -principal? The accounts which have been submitted to the Court—accounts -apparently in his own handwriting, and which leading experts pronounce to -be genuine—say No. They say that many parcels have never been received; -that others came to hand in a damaged condition; that the duties on -almost all received were much larger and the market-prices much smaller -than the actual. But Malus declares that these accounts are not genuine: -they are clever counterfeits, gotten up for the purpose of robbing and -ruining him. The accounts which he actually sent were very different, -and correctly represent duties and prices and everything. All this he -simply asserts. He makes no attempt to _prove_ his assertion: and I -might well content myself with a simple counter-assertion. But I will -not do this. He says that he has sent to the East, accounts correct in -every particular, which have been suppressed. To this I answer that all -such accounts, with remittances, imply as many acknowledgments from the -receiver. No merchant here, least of all Malus, would go on sending -accounts with moneys, year after year for thirty years, without getting -acknowledgments for the same in the handwriting of the receiver or his -authorized proxy. Let Malus produce such acknowledgments. He cannot do -it. He has none to present. - -“But Malus alleges that the case is one of contest of reputations. It is -the assertion of a Nobody against the denial of a Somebody. The word of -an unknown foreigner ought not to have any weight against the word of -that eminent citizen and saint whom everybody in Alexandria knows, and -knows to be full of riches and honors and virtues—the man who has never -wronged anybody; has never ground the faces of the poor; has never sought -to take advantage of Shaphan the Jew, or Athon the Phenician, or Epimetes -the Greek, or Plautus the Roman, or anybody else under the wide heaven. -Here, behind me, are a few of the people he has dealt with, ready to -testify that Malus is not the sort of man to commit smuggling, to swear -falsely, or even to be less than most merciful to those in his power! -Would Malus like to hear from some of his victims?” - -On this Sextus Flaccus rose, and slowly, with feeble voice and many a -pause, proceeded to say that _he_ was a victim, though not an innocent -one. No doubt many were surprised to see him there, and still more -surprised to see him in that part of the room. All Alexandria knew -that he had long been intimate with Malus, and must know not a little -of his principles and practices. Indeed he had, he was ashamed to say, -to a certain extent shared in them. What sort of life he had lived, -disgraceful to himself and his friends, was notorious. It was not -necessary for him to specify—he would spare himself that pain. But this -he must say, that in all his follies and sins he was always encouraged -and often prompted by Malus. His intemperance, his violence, his -enmities, had always been fanned by that man to the utmost. - -Without any help from Malus, he had been very hostile to Cimon the Greek, -and Aleph the Chaldean. The latter had hurt his pride, and so humbled him -in the presence of others that he burned for revenge. Malus whetted his -passion, and prompted him to measures for gratifying it which, bad as he -was, he would not otherwise have thought of. - -“Malus proposed,” continued Sextus, after pausing to recover breath, -“that we make common cause against the two men. He told me frankly what -reason he had to fear them, and dwelt artfully on the reasons I had for -being revenged upon them. He tried to make me feel that we had a common -interest in humbling and suppressing them. He plied me with wine. This -and the violence of my passions for a while carried me away and made me a -ready tool in his hands. - -“But I have changed my mind. I have been at death’s door; and the light -that came to me from behind it has shown me three things: my own folly -and guilt, the utterly unscrupulous character of my tempter, and the -thorough goodness of at least one of the men (and presumably of his -friend and preceptor) whom we had been seeking to injure—may Heaven -forgive me, as he has done! To him I owe my life and an opportunity to -mend my ways. We had sought to dishonor him, and he knew it. We had -done our worst to give him a felon’s name and fate, and he knew it. And -yet he delivered me from my enemies, rescued me from death, nursed back -my flickering life with the carefulness of a mother. I will tell the -whole painful story, if Malus chooses to have me; but it would be to his -disadvantage as well as to my shame. I propose, Heaven helping me, to -mend my ways after thus publicly confessing the sin of them. I advise -Malus to do the same.” - -Sextus sank into his seat exhausted. The silence that followed for a few -moments thundered. What eyes were not turned on Aleph were fastened on -Malus. But the wooden face said nothing; only the wood was several shades -darker than usual. - -Piso resumed: “The testimony we have just heard is as weighty as it was -unexpected. What Sextus Flaccus has now said about the principles and -practices of Malus has long been said under breath by great numbers who -have dealt with him. It is well understood in the city that Malus is not -a man to stop at any safe way of accomplishing his purposes of gain, or -any other purposes. A whole army of victims would appear against him, if -it could be understood that it would be safe to do so—would have appeared -long ago but for the conviction that the monster that devours them is -too big a monster and too well fenced by his scales to be successfully -attacked, or even complained of. He is the successor of the Lernean -Hydra, from whom all but Hercules felt compelled to hide. - -“This is the eminent citizen who thinks that nameless Nobodies ought not -to have their testimony taken as against him. I admit that Cimon the -Greek and Aleph the Chaldean were strangers here a few days ago, and are -still strangers to most of our people. And yet they have found means so -to introduce themselves to the confidence of some of our most honorable -citizens that these citizens are willing to vouch for them: in which case -they stand before the law and the public with all the prestige of their -sponsors. - -“But I am unwilling to have my clients rest their claim to respectability -and consideration on the dignity of any other people, however high, who -are willing to vouch for them. It is unnecessary. They have an honorable -standing of their own. It is written in their very faces and bearing. Who -is Cimon the Greek? It appears from this certified copy of the records of -the University that thirty years ago a young man with that name and of -illustrious Athenian descent greatly distinguished himself above all his -companions in all branches of learning and gentlemanly accomplishment. -This young man is Cimon the Greek—as two of the older teachers in the -University have been able to recognize and are here to testify. - -“And who is Aleph the Chaldean? You have only to look upon him to know -that he is _Somebody_: how much of a body, so far as social standing is -concerned, this packet which I now take up from the table ought to tell. -Those of you who sit near me can see that the seal is yet unbroken. I -now break it; and, on removing certain wraps, come to this” (he held -up to view a roll of vellum richly blazoned and bearing a broad seal). -“This document is bordered with many jewels, the value of which some of -you can judge of better than myself, but which yet my limited knowledge -of such matters assures me to be quite great enough to authenticate the -written contents. So costly a credential as this is beyond the reach -of an impostor, and was doubtless chosen for this reason. What are the -contents?” - -He paused, and read in silence. Then, holding up the vellum so as to -display the seal, he resumed: - -“This seal bears on it the figure of a crown. The script is in three -languages—Latin, Greek, and Chaldean. I will read the Greek: - - “TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: - - “‘I, Jasper Daniel Atropates, King of Median Atropatene and - pontiff of the Most High God, foreseeing that occasion may - arise for such a document as this, do hereby certify that the - bearer is my only son, Prince Aleph Daniel, whom I send with - his Greek preceptor and my chief counsellor into Egypt for - purposes altogether peaceful, viz.: to study the institutions - and learning of the West, to enlarge his knowledge of life and - man, and to act for me, in conjunction with his companion, in - all my business affairs in that land. - - “‘To this I affix the seal of my kingdom.’ - -“Such is the document,” said Piso, handing it to the Judges for -inspection. After a few moments he resumed: - -“In explanation of this document, I would remind the Court that -Atropatene is a Chaldean kingdom of great beauty and fertility, -unassailably entrenched among the mountains of Media, where for five -hundred years have ruled the descendants of the Hebrew prophet Daniel, -to whom it was given by Cyrus the Persian, and to whose descendant -Atropates it was confirmed by Alexander the Macedonian. The monarchs -of this dynasty have not thought it beneath themselves to do as did -Solomon the Magnificent—to engage in commerce with foreign countries and -make the superfluities of one land supply the deficiencies of another. -Accordingly, when, thirty years ago, Jasper with two other princes passed -through the land, he arranged with Malus, then not so well known as he -is now, to receive and dispose of such eastern goods as might be sent -him by way of the Red Sea, Myos Hermos, and Coptus. Malus did not know -that his employer was a sovereign: probably has never known it till now. -This is the man whom he has defrauded—trusting that the remoteness of his -principal would secure him from detection. But the Heavens have decreed -against him—the Heavens which he seems to have forgotten.” - -The advocate of Malus made only a brief reply. He dealt in generalities. -He asserted and reasserted in many forms, and with much strength of -voice, the innocence of his client. Whatever the appearances against -him, they were deceptive. To get at real facts we often have to go below -the seemings. Wise men have to be on their guard against even their -own senses. He would not condemn the notable citizens and officials -who had given their support to the other side: at the same time, he -must be allowed to say that they have made a grave mistake. They have -been misled by circumstantial evidence, as many other intelligent and -upright men have been. He had no doubt but that they would some day see -their mistake, and be sorry for it. How would they like to have their -own reputations and fortunes fall a prey to some plausible adventurer? -He hoped that they would never come to that; but it now looked as if no -man’s fortune, or even life, would henceforth be safe in Alexandria. He -trusted that the eminent Judges would see the peril to which they and all -people of consideration are exposed, and, by their verdict, discourage -attacks on prominent men, to which envy and cupidity so strongly tempt. - -It would not be surprising if his client, amid the pressure and anxieties -of so large and varied business, had sometimes made mistakes, sometimes -been forgetful, and even sometimes been overborne and distracted to the -point of irresponsible insanity. In such circumstances he may have done -things which, in his right mind, he never would have done. In the conduct -of great and complicated affairs the strain on the mind is often very -great; and, for his part, he wondered that it did not give way oftener -than it did. He hoped that the Judges would take these considerations -into account in making up their verdict; and would not ruin one of their -own citizens for the sake of a foreigner, whether prince or peasant. A -verdict against Malus would send a large sum out of the country, never to -return. Alexandria would be impoverished for the sake of Chaldea. - -So the case was submitted. The Judges conferred among themselves for a -few moments, and then one of them spoke in a low tone to the Prætor. - -The public crier summoned attention, and the Prætor announced: - -“I. The Judges have decided that the suit of Malus against Cimon is -unsustained, and order that the defendant, discharged from custody, -receive damages to the amount of 50,000 staters, the estimated value of -the jewels said to have been stolen. - -“II. Also, the Judges have decided that the suit of Cimon against Malus -is sustained; and order that the latter pay to the former the arrears for -thirty years as determined by certain dealers in eastern goods, hereafter -to be designated, in view of the actual duties and prices during that -period, and counting as genuine both the harbor receipts of Malus and his -accounts to his principal as they have been shown here. - -“III. Also, it is ordered that Malus be taken into custody until the -payment now decreed has been made, and until it has been legally -determined whether he is guilty of the crime of smuggling. LICITUM EST -DECEDERE.” - -Aleph and Cimon were overwhelmed with congratulations. The Governor -pressed them to become his guests and occupy a vacant palace at Bruchium; -but they excused themselves, and begged to be allowed to return -unceremoniously with Seti to the Serapeum. They were unable, however, to -return as inconspicuously as they wished: for the delegation of students, -with Cornelius at their head, insisted on escorting them, and cheering -crowds gradually gathered about them, and before they reached the temple -they met nearly the whole enthusiastic membership of the University, whom -nothing could prevent from rending the air and shaking the city with -cries of “LONG LIVE ALEPH THE PRINCE!” - -Who were they who said that poetical justice is _always_ done in this -world? Ah, I remember—they were the friends of Job. Who were they who -said that poetical justice is _never_ done in actual life? No matter: -whoever said it smote facts in the face. I mean such facts as are -recorded in this chapter: also such as are recorded in the Bible history -of Joseph, but especially of Daniel the prophet, the great ancestor of -our Aleph, against whose fortunes the floods of wrong not only surged in -vain, but floated them up to higher levels. - -Under the sun, the race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to -the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, -nor favor to men of skill. Sometimes good men have to wait long for -their due—sometimes even into the next world. Of course, sooner or later -justice will be done. As sure as there is a God in Heaven, justice _must_ -be done, sooner or later. But we are always thankful when it is done -_sooner_—when a good man does not have to wait for his due till he is -dead; when some Daniels and Aleph-Daniels are not only recompensed in the -earth, but find the feet of justice not so heavily weighted but that they -can reach their goal within a few days of the starting. The weak in faith -then thank God and take courage. - - - - -XVII. - -THE CONCLUSION. - - Οταν εὺτυχήσωμεν τότε χαίρειν παρέσταὶ. - - SOPHOCLES, _Electr._ 1299. - - _When we shall succeed, then is the time to rejoice._ - - 1. Neither impotent nor lame. - 2. Each to his own place. - 3. By way of Jesus. - 4. Home. - - - - -XVII. - -THE CONCLUSION. - - -Were it not for a most conspicuous example, now and then, of large -success in committing an enterprise to God and then mightily trusting His -Providence, faith would lack a very desirable inspiration. - -In the case of our Chaldean friends, the success was very large indeed. -As we all soon come to know, many good enterprises end in complete -failure. Only a few attain complete success, and realize all they -proposed to themselves. Still fewer _surpass_ their aim, and accomplish -far more than they expected or ventured to hope. Yet such was the -enterprise of Cimon and Aleph in Alexandria. - -What had they proposed to themselves? To investigate Malus, and bring him -to justice; to gather reliable information concerning Him who was born -king of the Jews and to whom the miraculous star had guided the Magian -sovereigns; to broaden and enrich the education of Aleph, not only by -giving him a wider outlook on the world and humanity, but by throwing -him, divested of all the insignia and glamour of his rank, entirely on -his own resources for guidance and help in dealing with men in new and -difficult circumstances. All these objects had been accomplished. - -Within a few days from the close of the trial the authorities had placed -in the hands of Cimon the full amount of his claim against Malus, -together with interest on all delayed payments. This, in itself, was -not sufficient to ruin the rogue financially. But he had already drawn -considerably on his resources in his attempt to bribe the judges and -secure the countenance of other influential people: for they had not -hesitated to take silently his gifts though no equivalent was rendered. -But the greatest drain upon him came from another quarter. Other victims -of his rapacity, encouraged by the result of Cimon’s suit, attacked him -successfully; and before long it seemed as if there would be no end to -the suits. Under these circumstances, Alexandria was not much surprised, -one fine morning, to hear that Malus (latterly they had fallen into the -way of calling him Pessimus) was nowhere to be found—nor any of his -remaining assets. The guard set upon him was not incorruptible, and he -had disappeared between two days. No one knew where he had gone. Some -said to Ethiopia; some said to Spain; some said to Marseilles in Gaul; -and some would have it that he had taken to the desert with Draco. A few -declared that he had committed suicide. This last supposition, however, -was considered extremely improbable, on the ground that so shrewd a -person would not take the trouble to carry away with him goods which he -did not mean to use. There is no use for current money of the merchant in -Hades. Whatever supposition was correct, it is certain that Malus never -reappeared in Alexandria. - -But our friends had a still more important object in coming to the -commercial metropolis of the West. It was to learn about Him who was -born king of the Jews. Some things they already knew from the Magi—that -his coming was divinely heralded and accompanied by supernatural events, -that his mission was a great and glorious one, having significance for -all nations. What had they learned in addition? That the life which -had opened so grandly amid the ministries and songs of angels, and the -worship and gifts of star-led pilgrims, had come to a still grander -sequel—that into the glowing dawn had at length come the sun in his -strength; a mingled glory of miracles and character and teaching such -as never before gathered about a single life—that Jesus is surely the -Messiah of the Sacred Books and their sufficient credential—that this -Messiah is not, as has been commonly supposed, a secular warrior, -conqueror, and king; but a spiritual monarch ruling over willing hearts -in the interest of truth and righteousness, and whose victories are -salvations—that his mission in the world is one of humiliation instead of -exaltation, of suffering instead of pleasure, of death instead of life; -and that in dying he completed a vicarious sacrifice for the sins of the -world—also, that to express the dignity of his being both the prophets -and himself use language which exalts him far above angels and claims for -him a Divine nature. To know all this was a great gain, more than they -had ventured to hope. And if, on their way home, they should be able to -see the Messiah with their own eyes, witness personally some wonderful -work, and obtain for themselves and theirs his personal benediction, they -would feel that their way had been wonderfully prospered. - -And then the educational object which the father of Aleph distinctly -proposed to himself—was that object well secured? How well Aleph carried -himself when thrown on his own resources for guidance we have seen; and -my belief is that when his parents come to see him and to hear the report -of Cimon, they will be quite satisfied with their experiment. They will -realize that the promising bud has beautifully flowered, that the rare -plant which had started and grown so thriftily in their sheltered and -sunny conservatory was now hardy enough to be transplanted into the open -field, and even to the windy summits of life. - -So all the ends proposed in the visit of our friends to Alexandria -were accomplished—and more. For these unknown men had been the means -of introducing not only a loftier moral element into the student life -of Alexandria, but had so drawn upon Cornelius and Metellus, who had -specially attached themselves to them, that they had begun to study the -Septuagint, to frequent the services at the Diapleuston, to admire the -sublime monotheism and hopes of the Jew, and finally to give sure token -of becoming, the one the devout Cornelius of the Acts of the Apostle -and the other one of those Christians saluted by Paul as belonging to -“Aristobulus’ household.” - -But the influence of Aleph on Sextus Flaccus was still more remarkable. -His frequent interviews with that penitent man ended not only in his -thorough reform, and in his renouncing idolatry, but also in his -accepting Jesus as a Divine sacrifice for sin. - -And it was on this wise. The young Roman at first was terribly oppressed -with a sense of sin. He could hardly say too much against himself. His -misdeeds and follies haunted him like ghosts, and hunted him like the -Eumenides. Their horrible faces scowled at him, their serpent-hair hissed -and leaped at him, their clenched hands shook themselves at him from -behind almost every object he saw. Sometimes in his sleep he would see a -mountain, traced all over in fiery characters with the names of his sins, -moving swiftly toward him; and he would wake drenched in sweat and terror -as the ponderous masses came rushing in upon him and buried him thousands -of feet beneath their munitions of rocks. At other times he dreamed that, -like Andromeda, he was chained to a rock at the ocean’s edge, and that -great storm-billows in long succession were sweeping in upon him, and -that on the crested summit of each a great sea-monster with lurid eyes -and open jaws came rushing and shrieking _Sin_, SIN, SIN. He shrieked as -loudly—and awoke in despair. - -It was in this state that he first sent for Aleph. His first sense of -relief came when Aleph told him the story of Jesus, and suggested the -idea of a Divine incarnation and atonement for sin. The wretched man -clutched the idea as a drowning man does a plank. Here was something -solid to rest upon. Here was a sufficient sacrifice for even his -enormities. The weight began to lift from his oppressed breast. At last -one day as Aleph was reading to him the sublime description which Isaiah -gives in his 53d chapter of Him on whom “were laid the iniquities of -us all,” a mighty deliverance came. Suddenly all his doors and windows -sprang open musically to welcome Jesus as the Lamb of God. The sense -of need opened them. From that day the sick body mended wonderfully; -and soon the streets of Alexandria saw a new man under an old name. The -name continued to be Sextus Flaccus, but it stood for a very different -person. It stood for the first Roman Christian of rank who dared to avow -himself. Paul on his arrival at Rome some years later found him a member -of Cæsar’s household, and ready to help him with all his influence in -founding the first Roman church. - -This was a great and unexpected success. But, in addition, our eastern -pilgrims, with nothing but their cultured manhood to show, had found -other friends such as they had never counted on finding—friends well -worth the having, even by a prince; friends whose friendship was for -themselves and not for their rank; friends among whom was one—but I must -not anticipate. Nay, I must go back a little. - -Though Alexander had reached home early in the evening before the last -trial, it was very late before he could get to his rest—he had so much -to tell and so much to hear. And this was what he had to tell. He had -succeeded in both the objects for which he had hastened to Rome. Of -course, one of these objects was to prevent the disturbance at the -Diapleuston from being misrepresented to the emperor as a personal -affront. It was not reported at all. For some reason Flaccus had not -thought it best to say anything about the matter in his dispatches. -Probably he thought that some of the circumstances would not bear -telling; and then the presence of Alexander at the ear of the emperor was -in itself a caution to be prudent. So Flaccus was dumb. - -The other object which Alexander had in view was really to find out some -safe way of declining the marriage proposals in behalf of the Cæsar. - -Notwithstanding the fears of his daughter, he had never been so much -attracted by the offer of an imperial alliance as were some of his Jewish -friends. He had been too much behind the scenes at the Palatine. He knew -too much of Tiberius and Cæsarism. He knew nothing to the disadvantage of -Germanicus and much to his advantage; but he also knew that Tiberius as a -young man had won golden opinions; also, that to be the nephew and heir -apparent of the jealous and capricious emperor was very far from being -foreordained to empire. So one of his objects in going to Rome was, not -to see whether the proposals were desirable, but to see how they might -safely be declined. That was a hard problem. But Providence favored him. -He found that Germanicus, who had never seen Rachel, had many times seen -Agrippina, the granddaughter of Augustus, and to very good purpose. The -growing intimacy and attachment between the young people which he was not -slow to discover he promoted to the utmost. And when the matter was ripe -he found means of bringing it to the knowledge of Sejanus, the emperor’s -favorite, and of so enlisting him in its support that under his influence -Tiberius began to regret his Egyptian proposals, and to seek some excuse -for recalling them. “He did not know, when they were made, of the -situation at home. It had only just come to his knowledge. He was sorry; -but he hated to break young hearts.” Alexander allowed that it would be -a pity. The emperor also thought that, inasmuch as Germanicus and Rachel -had never met, it might not, after all, be a very hard matter for the -fair Alexandrian to have the matter dropped in such a quiet and honorable -way as could easily be devised. Alexander candidly allowed that the fact -which his majesty had stated was a weighty one. In short, Tiberius -receded from his proposals; and, to soften the supposed disappointment to -the mighty banker for whom his treasury had so much use, he sent him home -in the imperial galley with new guaranties and privileges for the Jewish -community in Egypt, and with a broad hint to Flaccus to let it be known -that the honor of the imperial alliance had been declined from religious -considerations which the emperor felt bound to respect. The Alabarch -expected nothing less than that early the next morning all Alexandria -would be in possession of the news, and would be wondering how he could -so rebuff the emperor and yet stand higher in his favor than ever. - -This, for substance, was what Alexander had to tell. Of course Rachel was -vastly delighted at her escape; and showed that she was by flinging her -arms about her father’s neck and rapturously kissing him. - -But the father wanted to hear as well as to tell. Something of what had -transpired had reached him by letter; but he wanted to know all. And -Seti rehearsed all that had happened since that memorable Sabbath at -the Diapleuston. Rachel sat uneasily silent, leaning against her father -and toying with the splendid jewelled badge of the Order of the Golden -Eagle which Tiberius at parting had, with his own hands, fastened on his -breast—listening with burning cheeks as her grandfather in his graphic -way reproduced the events and expressed the confidence and admiration -with which Aleph had inspired him. Every now and then she stole an -anxious look at her father’s face; not quite sure how the shrewd man of -affairs, professionally accustomed to deal with men on a principle of -suspicion and abundant caution, would view the eulogiums of the priest -and philosopher, founded on so brief an acquaintance. When Alexander had -heard all, he said slowly: - -“If I had never seen the young man, nor known Seti so well, I might have -challenged the sobriety of the account I have just heard. But, having -seen him twice, and you a thousand times, I have nothing to say, save -that I wish he was emperor of the West, or at least the Cæsar. In that -case, perhaps, I would not take so much trouble to keep the Cæsar at -arm’s-length, as I have been lately taking in another quarter”—and he -nodded smilingly at Rachel. “But who can he be?” - -“No matter who he is,” returned Seti with emphasis, “since he is a _Man_, -a sovereign man. He has a broader empire within him than Tiberius sees -without him; an empire of which no caprice of fortune can rob him. And -his body is as sovereign as his soul. He needs no herald to go before him -and cry, _Make way, for the king is coming_. Men know it as soon as they -see him.” - -To such words Rachel could have listened all night. But she wondered -whether they would have been spoken had father and grandfather known -what she knew. She had not yet mustered courage to speak to Seti of her -new relation to Aleph; in fact had about made up her mind to leave all -explanations to Providence and Aleph. So both Seti and Alexander remained -ignorant of that wonderful conversation between the young people which I -have lately recorded till Aleph the Chaldean had become Aleph the Prince, -and had asked leave to substitute for the proposals of Tiberius certain -proposals of his own. Then the whole matter came out. The Alabarch found -that his daughter had no serious objection to being a princess provided -the prince was of the right sort. He was in very much the same mood -himself. Indeed, he went so far as to say that he would not have refused -his daughter to Aleph had he always remained simply Aleph the Chaldean, -of unknown birth and fortunes: how much less could he do it now that the -young man stood revealed a Hebrew of the Hebrews, a descendant of Daniel -the illustrious statesman and prophet, and the heir of the stablest and -choicest, though not the largest, sovereignty of the age! - -So, before many days (but not until the arrival of Rachel’s mother from -Jerusalem, and her express sanction, and even her joyful confession -that Aleph was a very welcome substitute for even so good a Cæsar as -Germanicus) a formal betrothal took place; and all Alexandria took -to busily talking over the gracious ceremonial. Now they understood -why Germanicus had been respectfully declined. The ground had been -pre-empted. Another prince had spoken, and spoken in person. “And no -wonder,” said they, “that he was successful; for never did we set eyes -on a goodlier person or a princelier.” So Alexandria was in excellent -humor; and for once all the five quarters of the city ceased their mutual -wrangling and railing and consented to say the same complimentary things. -Even the elders of the Diapleuston who so much wanted to see a second -Esther on the imperial throne were by this time ready to allow that -Rachel had chosen very happily for herself, if not for the Jewish public. -They offered congratulations. They sent in rich presents—especially -Ben Simeon, who, from the first, had been so drawn to Aleph, and was -now in charge as consignee in the place of Malus. But the richest and -most valued presents that Rachel received on that auspicious day were -two—from opposite quarters. One was a copy from the Septuagint of all -the Messianic prophecies in their order, beautifully done on vellum -margined with jewels—this came from Aleph. The other came from Flaccus, -in the name of his son Sextus, and was no less than the Setian palace -on the Nile which has had so conspicuous a place in this narrative. -Some damage had been done to it by Draco and his band in their orgies -and final rummage for concealed treasure: but he had been so thoroughly -frightened by what he had done to Sextus, as well as by the escape of -Aleph and the numerous foot-prints found about the premises early the -next morning, that his search was very hasty and ended in the whole gang -betaking themselves precipitately to the desert—to the great misfortune -of the desert and travelers, but without much damage to the stronghold -they had left. It was soon put in prime condition by Flaccus, and then, -in an elaborate communication, presented to Seti for Rachel and Aleph as -an “Egyptian home to which his excellency hoped they would very often -return.” It was a question in the mind of Seti whether a man could give -what does not belong to him; but this question, wise man that he was, he -kept to himself, and was very glad to have the ancient heirloom come back -in any way into his family. - -And these were the ulterior arrangements. Cimon and Aleph would return -home at once by way of Palestine, with the hope of falling in with the -Messiah ere his return heavenward. Then, as soon as possible, Aleph -would come again with his father’s formal sanction to claim his bride; -and then her father and mother and dear mother-father would take a long -vacation and accompany her and Miriam (henceforth inseparable) to their -new home. Alexander even went so far as to intimate that, mindful of -the uncertainty of the imperial favor and of the Jewish position in -Alexandria, he was thinking seriously of transferring the bulk of his -fortune to a safer region; and to facilitate this had already arranged -to open a branch banking house at Ecbatana, where converged many routes -of commercial travel. By all means do this, O great financier, and -tarry not in the doing; for the times in the west are threatening, and -Rome is a volcano that may at any moment send streams of lava farther -than Alexandria. Plant thy family and fortunes amid the safe Chaldean -mountains, hard by the tombs of Daniel and Esther in Eden; and, looking -calmly forth from your impregnable observatory, see distant Cæsars rise -and fall, see distant legions march and counter-march, and, above all, -see the friendly star that offers to guide your faith and gifts to Jesus -the King. Then push out the antennæ of commerce vigorously into all -lands, and gather the spoils of peace wherewith to decorate the Prince of -peace. It is your mission. You have a genius for honorable money-making. -Use it vigorously. It is as sacred as a genius for eloquence, or a genius -for science. - - * * * * * - -A brilliant caravan files through the gate of Canopus. Our friends are -moving homeward. They came by the way the Magian fathers returned; -they are returning by the way those fathers came. They have just said -farewells to Shaphan and Nathan: a little before they had said still more -tender ones at the palace of Alexander. Flaccus had insisted on sending -with them an escort of cavalry as far as the frontier; and Alexander, -and Seti, and Cornelius at the head of a large delegation from the -University, will go with them a day’s journey. - -_We_ will not go with them even that distance, though we would be glad -to do so; but will say our farewells and godspeeds just here before the -khan where Shaphan and Nathan once reluctantly parted with the Divine -Child. Our parting, too, is reluctant. We are vastly sorry, O wise men -of the East, to say good-bye to you, though it be for only a few moons. -It is not often that such as you have crossed our path, or any path. But -partings must be; and so, comforting ourselves with the expectation of -seeing you again when all Alexandria is ablaze with that rare thing, a -royal marriage made in Heaven, we gather courage to say ADIEU! May the -Father above prosper your way to the father below. We foresee that He -will. You and yours are well mounted; and though only Aleph has a Parthia -beneath him, there can be but a few days of travel between you and the -Messiah. The longings of your hearts will be gratified. You will reach -Galilee in season. There, on a certain mountain, with more than five -hundred fellow disciples, you will see with your own eyes Him in whom you -have blessedly believed without seeing; will be welcomed by Him for the -fathers’ sake as well as for your own; will perhaps see some of the “many -other signs which are not written in this book”; and, finally, in the -early morning, as you resume your journey and are taking a look backward -on the city of so many sacred memories, you will see over the Mount of -Olives a human form slowly rising through the air with outstretched hands -of benediction. The son of Daniel will need no interpreter. Behold the -Heavenly King going to his home even as you are going to yours! And you -will worship and go on your way rejoicing; bearing to your Chaldean home -such news that all its silver trumpets will sound as it exclaims: - -THANK GOD! YE, TOO, HAVE BEEN STAR-LED PILGRIMS. - - When forth the Tribes to Canaan went, - In travel long and sore, - What guide had they along the way, - Save cloud that went before— - Save cloud that _goes_ before, - And goeth evermore? - - And when the Wise Men of the East - A pilgrim banner bore, - What guide had they along the way, - Save star that shone before— - Save star that _shines_ before, - And shineth evermore? - - And when the Wise Men of the West, - Wise in a saving lore, - Set forth through wilds to find the Child - And win the Golden Shore, - That shineth evermore, - And moveth nevermore; - - Some cloud from God will surely go - Their doubtful steps before, - All through the light—and through the night - Some star its beams shall pour, - Some star their path explore— - Guide faileth nevermore. - - Who to the Lord his way commends - Shall never lose his way, - But ever find the Lord is kind - To lead from dark to day: - - Shall even find the Lord doth know - A way so kind that e’en the blind - Straight to his mark can go— - At least _His_ mark, which, kinder far, - The daily cloud and nightly star - Go seeking evermore, - And missing nevermore. - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ALEPH, THE CHALDEAN; OR, THE MESSIAH -AS SEEN FROM ALEXANDRIA*** - - -******* This file should be named 61041-0.txt or 61041-0.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/6/1/0/4/61041 - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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(Enoch Fitch) Burr</title> -<link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> -<style type="text/css"> - -a { - text-decoration: none; -} - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - -h1,h2,h3,h4 { - text-align: center; - clear: both; -} - -hr { - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - clear: both; - width: 65%; - margin-left: 17.5%; - margin-right: 17.5%; -} - -ul { - list-style-type: none; - margin-top: 4em; -} - -li { - margin-top: .5em; - padding-left: 2em; - text-indent: -2em; -} - -p { - margin-top: 0.5em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: 0.5em; - text-indent: 1em; -} - -.blockquote { - margin: 1.5em 10%; -} - -.chapter { - margin: 1.5em auto; - max-width: 30em; -} - -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; -} - -.pagenum { - position: absolute; - right: 4%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; - font-style: normal; -} - -.poetry-container { - text-align: center; - margin: 1em; -} - -.poetry { - display: inline-block; - text-align: left; -} - -.poetry .stanza { - margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em; -} - -.poetry .verse { - text-indent: -3em; - padding-left: 3em; -} - -.poetry .indent1 { - text-indent: -2em; -} - -.right { - text-align: right; -} - -.smaller { - font-size: 80%; -} - -.smcap { - font-variant: small-caps; - font-style: normal; -} - -.tb { - margin-top: 2em; -} - -.titlepage { - text-align: center; - margin-top: 3em; - text-indent: 0em; -} - -@media handheld { - -img { - max-width: 100%; - width: auto; - height: auto; -} - -.poetry { - display: block; - margin-left: 1.5em; -} - -.blockquote { - margin: 1.5em 5%; -} -} - - - hr.full { width: 100%; - margin-top: 3em; - margin-bottom: 0em; - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; - height: 4px; - border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ - border-style: solid; - border-color: #000000; - clear: both; } - </style> -</head> -<body> -<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Aleph, the Chaldean; or, the Messiah as Seen -from Alexandria, by E. F. (Enoch Fitch) Burr</h1> -<p>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States -and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no -restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at <a -href="http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you are not -located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this ebook.</p> -<p>Title: Aleph, the Chaldean; or, the Messiah as Seen from Alexandria</p> -<p>Author: E. F. (Enoch Fitch) Burr</p> -<p>Release Date: December 29, 2019 [eBook #61041]</p> -<p>Language: English</p> -<p>Character set encoding: UTF-8</p> -<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ALEPH, THE CHALDEAN; OR, THE MESSIAH AS SEEN FROM ALEXANDRIA***</p> -<p> </p> -<h4>E-text prepared by MFR<br /> - and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> - (<a href="http://www.pgdp.net">http://www.pgdp.net</a>)<br /> - from page images generously made available by<br /> - Internet Archive<br /> - (<a href="https://archive.org">https://archive.org</a>)</h4> -<p> </p> -<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;margin: 0 auto;" cellpadding="10"> - <tr> - <td valign="top"> - Note: - </td> - <td> - Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive. See - <a href="https://archive.org/details/alephchaldeanor00burr"> - https://archive.org/details/alephchaldeanor00burr</a> - </td> - </tr> -</table> -<p> </p> -<hr class="full" /> -<p> </p> -<p> </p> -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> -<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="500" height="750" alt="Cover image" /> -</div> - -<hr /> - -<h1><span class="smcap">Aleph, The Chaldean</span>;<br /> -<span class="smaller"><span class="smaller">OR,</span><br /> -THE MESSIAH AS SEEN FROM ALEXANDRIA.</span></h1> - -<p class="titlepage"><span class="smaller">BY</span><br /> -E. F. BURR, D.D., LL.D.,<br /> -<span class="smaller">AUTHOR OF “ECCE CŒLUM,” “PATER MUNDI,” ETC.</span></p> - -<div class="poetry-container titlepage"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="verse">“<i>So forth we gat us from our home;</i></div> -<div class="verse indent1"><i>So we are here to-day:</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>Now tell us where this King to find,</i></div> -<div class="verse indent1"><i>Whose reign shall be alway.</i>”</div> -<div class="verse right">—<span class="smcap">Anon.</span></div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="titlepage">NEW YORK:<br /> -WILBUR B. KETCHAM,<br /> -<span class="smcap">2 Cooper Union</span>.</p> - -<p class="titlepage smaller">Copyright, 1891,<br /> -By <span class="smcap">Wilbur B. Ketcham</span>.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[i]</a></span></p> - -<h2>PREFACE.</h2> - -<p>Two facts, at least, should be remembered by the -readers of this book.</p> - -<p>1. It was not uncommon in the times of the Christ -for Hebrew men, in imitation of Joseph and Moses and -Boaz, to marry outside of their own people.</p> - -<p>2. It is a great mistake to suppose that women in the -Roman Empire of the First Century were secluded after -the current oriental fashion. They had about as much -freedom on most lines of social intercourse as women have -among us. The New Testament shows this in regard to -Palestine and such contiguous countries as appear in the -Acts of the Apostles. But it was the same wherever the -Roman authority and influence extended.</p> - -<p>“Tradition was in favor of restriction, but by a concurrence -of circumstances women had been liberated -from the enslaving fetters of the old legal forms, and enjoyed -freedom of intercourse in society; they walked and -drove in the public thoroughfares with veils that did not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[ii]</a></span> -conceal their faces; they dined in the company of men; -they studied literature and philosophy; they took part -in political movements; they were allowed to defend -their own law cases if they liked; and they helped their -husbands in the government of provinces and the writing -of books.”</p> - -<p class="smaller"><span class="smcap">Lyme, Conn., U. S. A.</span></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> - -<h2>I.<br /> -<span class="smaller">DOWN THE NILE.</span></h2> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p>Φησὶ δὲ, τοις μὲν ευθὺ γινομένοις μιξαι χρυσὸν.</p> - -<p class="right">—<span class="smcap">Aristotle</span>, <cite>Polit.</cite> ii. 3.</p> - -<p><i>He says that some have gold in their composition from the start.</i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span></p> - -<ul> -<li>1. Who are they?</li> -<li>2. A son of Misraim.</li> -<li>3. The times of old.</li> -<li>4. A seeming misfortune.</li> -</ul> - -</div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p> - -<h3>I.<br /> -<span class="smaller">DOWN THE NILE.</span></h3> - -<p>From Coptus downward on the dreamy Nile—past -innumerable canals with their primitive water-wheels; -past populous villages and lordly villas embowered -in sycamores and palms; past still more lordly -ruins, silent now for many a century; past caravans and -pleasure-parties and bodies of Roman soldiery, foot and -horse, coming and going on the thoroughfares that closely -skirt the river on either hand; past water craft of all -sorts, from skin-buoyed rafts carrying sandstone from -Chennu to the Delta up to gay barges carrying travelers -to Thebes and the dead Egypt of the Pharaohs; past -crocodiles and hippopotami and pelicans sporting in the -water, or basking along the muddy shore as so many logs -or stones.</p> - -<p><em>Who</em> are moving downward on the dreamy Nile to -Alexandria—in a large merchant vessel, whose lateen sail -swells gently to the south wind? A large number of persons -with whom we have no special concern. Two persons -with whom we have great concern, and whose appearance -is striking enough to draw much attention from -their fellow-travelers, as they stand together watching the -ever-changing scene.</p> - -<p>Both wear the classic Greek dress, of plain material. -The elder, a man of some sixty years, is so Greek in feature<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> -that no dress is needed to proclaim his nationality. -The other, a young man of perhaps twenty years, has a -face of a different type. And what a face! Is it Egyptian? -No. Is it Roman? No. Is it Hebrew? No. -As we take our privilege of drawing very near, and of -looking carefully at those features on all sides, and even -of lifting the abundant brown hair from the broad white -forehead that swells so loftily over the steady and somewhat -austere gray eyes, we would rather say that we are -looking on the original type from which all other racial -faces have varied, so readily does it express the better elements -of all. Yes, the young man must be from Britain -or the Caucasus—and yet he certainly is not from Britain; -for that is still a land of savages, and this youth has an -air of culture and refinement, which the plainness of his -garb cannot conceal. Is it mere fancy? Have I really a -sixth sense? There is something about the young man -that seems to breathe of lofty plateaus, and mountain -summits, and torrents that dash and roar on their way -from the clouds to the sea. What does this mountaineer -here among the lowlands of the Nile?</p> - -<p>He is evidently looking at the country for the first -time. Everything seems to interest him much. His -companion, as plainly, is by no means an entire stranger -to the scene, and yet shows the degree of interest natural -to one who is revisiting a country after long absence. -The Greek language flows easily between the two; as the -elder from time to time points this way and that, and -seems to be recalling and introducing old acquaintances, -as the vessel slowly glides by object after object.</p> - -<p>“It is now more than thirty years,” said the Greek, -whom we will call Cimon, “since I left Egypt; but I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> -notice very few changes—here and there a new quay or -villa, or an old palace decorated with new gardens and -trees. I once knew who lived in some of the finer dwellings; -for example, yonder low castellated building that -covers so much ground on the eastern bank. It is very -ancient, and the gradual rise of the land from the annual -deposits by the river, long since converted the lower story -into a dungeon. The Roman proprætor lived here a part -of the year. It once belonged to Cleopatra; was given -by her to a favorite noble and relative, from whom the -Romans took it, as being heirs to all the Pharaohs.”</p> - -<p>The vessel, from some cause, now approached the -palace they were observing, and the two men walked to -the right side of the boat for a closer view. While standing -here and noticing various points of a structure that -was now seen to be a fortress as well as a palace, they became -aware of a man standing by their side.</p> - -<p>“You seem interested in this place,” he said in a -grave but courteous tone; “can I give you any information -about it? I happen to be particularly well acquainted -in this neighborhood.”</p> - -<p>They had turned to see a man of majestic stature and -mien, far advanced in life, but still erect as a palm and -keen-eyed—as thoroughly Egyptian in his look and dress -as Rameses the Great.</p> - -<p>“I see that you are strangers, and <em>not</em> Romans,” he -added apologetically, “and old age likes to speak of the -past when it can do so safely.” And he looked around as -if to assure himself that they were alone.</p> - -<p>Cimon politely thanked the Egyptian, and said that he -had just been telling his young friend Aleph that the -structure before them was once a royal residence.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span></p> - -<p>“That is so,” said the old man; “not only a residence -of the Ptolemies, but also of our native kings. -You see that the material is stone from Syene, and that -the style of building is old Egyptian. It passed to the -Ptolemies with the crown of the Pharaohs, but was restored -to a direct descendant of the old owners as an act -of justice by Cleopatra. For a generation it continued -in his family; but at last the Roman governor took a liking -to the place and took it. The Romans are apt to -take what they like.”</p> - -<p>“Not a very uncommon thing for conquerors anywhere -to do,” said Cimon. “Perhaps the site of this -very palace was taken without purchase or leave by the -Pharaoh who built it, from a weak subject or from another -defeated Pharaoh.”</p> - -<p>“I think not,” decidedly said the Egyptian. “I -could show you papyri and parchments in the Serapeum -proving that the property has been in the possession of -the same priestly family to which it now belongs almost -as long as we have been historically a people; and that, -you know, is a great while, and nearly connects us with -the time when vacant Misraim was divided among our -fathers.”</p> - -<p>“Certainly,” said the young man whom we have heard -his companion call Aleph, “no people between this and -the Pillars of Hercules holds its land by so ancient and -original a tenure as does the people of Misraim. The -Egyptian is older than the Roman, older than the Greek; -indeed, was wise and powerful ages before Rome or Greece -was born. And, if I mistake not, there is no tradition, -nor other reason for thinking, that your fathers dispossessed -any other people. They must stand as original<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> -proprietors. If immemorial possession, without hint of -wrong, does not give a just title, the world knows of no such -title, whether the party be a nation or an individual.”</p> - -<p>“That seems to me well said,” came slowly from the -old man, as his eye rested on the ingenuous face of the -youth. “We came to the valley of the Nile so early that -we did not have to inhabit at the expense of any other -nation. We may be said to hold our country directly from -the immortal gods.”</p> - -<p>“You say we <em>came</em>,” said Cimon. “So, in your -opinion, this was not the original site of the Egyptians. -From whence do you suppose them to have come, and at -how early a period? For my part, I have no doubt that -you were here, and were here as a great and accomplished -people, long before the Greeks, or even the Phenicians, -had any political existence.”</p> - -<p>“Your question would be variously answered among -us,” returned the Egyptian. “Some would claim for our -past hundreds of thousands, and even millions, of years; -would say that such a civilization as ours was at the date -of our oldest monuments could not have ripened from -that savagery and even brutality which they fancy to have -been the primitive human condition in anything short of -such immense periods. But such is not my view. I see -that you are surprised at this!”</p> - -<p>“Not surprised that you reject the brute-origin of -mankind,” returned the Greek; “for that seems to be -contrary to the feeling and faith of all nations; but rather -surprised that you do not share what I have supposed to -be the fashionable opinion among Egyptians as to their -immense antiquity, and what would naturally be to you a -very pleasant opinion.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p> - -<p>“No opinion is pleasant to me,” replied the old man, -slowly shaking his head, “for which I can see no reasonable -foundation. Manetho, our only extant historian, -was an ancestor of mine. I have his original manuscripts, -entire, and am satisfied by the careful study of them and -of the palace registers of Thebes that his earlier dynasties -were largely cotemporaneous. No; from two thousand -to three thousand years are enough to account for our -whole history, monuments and all, if we suppose the -nation to have been originally gifted and far advanced in -civilization on their coming into the land.”</p> - -<p>“May I ask from whence you suppose them to have -come?” inquired Aleph.</p> - -<p>“That is a very broad question at its broadest; and -the broadest is what I see in the depths of your eyes. -There has been but one tradition among us on the subject, -and it is like the traditions of all these western peoples. -They look toward the sun-rising. Our fathers entered -the land from the north, after journeying from the -east. From what part of the great east, do you say? My -answer is that Seti the aged is the son of the youth who -now stands before me. His is the primitive stock. Caucasian -Chaldea is the cradle of the nations. And if you -go on to ask whence that cradle and primitive stock, I -have to tell you what primitive Egypt thought and said—that -<span class="smcap">Amun Re</span>, the eternal, almighty, and all-wise Spirit, -made the stars and the world, and the first parents of us -all. That your Democritus and Epicurus,” added the -Egyptian, looking archly at Cimon, “should have taught -differently! They should have visited us three thousand -years ago and taken lessons. They would have steered -their way more successfully among the snags and breakers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> -of thought. For, the stream of history is like the Nile—broad -with us, and not without its monsters as well as -fertilities, but beginning small and beginning very high -among mysterious mountains. I speak with confidence; -for I feel that, owing to certain circumstances, I stand on -higher ground than most observers do, and can see farther -across the centuries. The horizon is distant, but I can -see that there <em>is</em> a horizon, and that it sweeps high among -the clouds.”</p> - -<p class="tb">At this moment a Roman officer, who had been lying -intoxicated behind some boxes, but was now sufficiently -recovered to be miserable and quarrelsome, came somewhat -unsteadily toward them. They were standing with -their backs toward him; and, noticing their plain garbs, -he was, perhaps, encouraged in his thought of mischief. -Coming up to the Egyptian, he struck him a smart blow -on the back with the flat of his sheathed sword which he -carried in his hand.</p> - -<p>“Ha, old mummy, did you never see a Roman before?” -as Seti turned suddenly toward him. “Improve -your opportunity. But you will have an opportunity to -<em>feel</em> a Roman as well as to see him if you do not at once -find the skipper for me. Come, hurry off, old fellow!” -and he raised his sword as if for another blow.</p> - -<p>Aleph stepped between. “It is more fitting that I -should do your errand, if it must be done. You see that -I am a young man,” said he, fixing a steady eye on the -haughty and inflamed face before him.</p> - -<p>“Who are you who dare to stand between a Roman -and his will?” cried the officer furiously, his hand still -uplifted.</p> - -<p>“Let it suffice you that we are peaceable people, moving<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> -quietly about on our own private affairs, as Roman law -and custom entitle us to do. Do you understand?”</p> - -<p>“I understand that if you do not stand away from between -Rome and Egypt, the Caucasus will suffer,” and -the madman began to draw his sword.</p> - -<p>“Listen,” said Aleph with composure and emphasis. -“You had better not. You have a superior officer, and -we are going to Alexandria. I call all these people to -witness (by this time many had gathered about) that this -quarrel is not of our seeking.”</p> - -<p>“Dare you threaten a Roman commander, you beardless -cub! By the immortals, you shall see what I dare,” -shouted the man, as he plucked his sword from the scabbard.</p> - -<p>“You <em>shall</em> not,” said Aleph; and, snatching a large -bundle from a by-stander, he thrust it into the face of the -Roman. It burst and enveloped the man in a cloud of -pelican feathers, which a Jew had been collecting for the -rag-market of Alexandria. Before his assailant could recover -himself and sight, Aleph had thrown his arms about -him, secured his sword, and, despite his struggles, laid -him supine on the floor. Then, without much difficulty, -he managed to swathe and bind his arms to his body with -his long sword-sash. Looking about, his eye caught a -small coil of rope near him; this he drew to himself, and -with it fastened the man in a sitting posture to one of the -posts that supported the awning. All this was not done -without much struggling and cursing on the part of the -Roman; but Aleph was perfectly silent till his prisoner -was well secured. Then, turning to the spectators, he -said:</p> - -<p>“In behalf of the general safety, let this man remain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> -as you see him till we reach Alexandria. Wine has made -him dangerous; and you notice that what has been done, -I only have done, and that reluctantly, to prevent something -worse.”</p> - -<p>A cheer flashed out from the faces huddled about, and -almost shaped itself on their parted lips, but was suddenly -suppressed before anything more than an indistinct murmur -had escaped; for their eyes fell on the watchful and -infuriated face of the officer. They were prudent people, -those passengers. They admired courage; they were glad -to see a Roman put down; but they were not ready to -sacrifice safety to sentiment. So, instead of cheering, they -compromised and fell to laughing at the Jew, who, exclaiming, -“O, my feathers, my poor feathers! Ah, father -Abraham, I am a ruined man this day; what will become -of me!” crept about on his hands and knees, trying to -collect as much of his volatile property as possible.</p> - -<p>“Do not worry yourself, my friend,” said Seti to him -in a low voice; “gather what you can, and add this coin -to make the weight good. What has been lost for my -sake shall not be loss to you.”</p> - -<p>The Jew glanced at the coin that had been slipped -into his hand, and, catching the gleam of gold, hurried -it dexterously to his pouch, at the same time exclaiming, -“May all the patriarchs ... oh, my beautiful feathers -for which I paid ... may Abraham, Isaac, and -Jacob ... ah, what will become of me!”</p> - -<p>And so he went on groping and exclaiming and stuffing -handful after handful of his recovered property into -his bag amid the merriment of the crowd.</p> - -<p>Making a sign to the two friends to follow, the Egyptian<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> -led the way to another part of the vessel free from -people, where was a single seat. On this he seated himself.</p> - -<p>“I take the privilege of age,” said he, “and I am by -no means sure but that age gives me the only advantage I -have over you. I suspect that the eyes of Seti, though -aged, have made a discovery.”</p> - -<p>The two friends glanced inquiringly at each other, but -said nothing. They were now moving along the canal -that connected the Nile with Lake Mareotis; and for -some time they silently watched the agricultural operations -and the ever-increasing number of people and dwellings -on either bank. At length, emerging into the lake, -they saw in the distance the crowded shipping and towers -of the city of Alexandria.</p> - -<p>Seti roused himself from the mood of intense thoughtfulness, -into which he had fallen, and asked:</p> - -<p>“Are you acquainted with Alexandria?”</p> - -<p>Cimon answered: “With the city, well; with the -people of the city, not at all. A generation has passed -since I was here.”</p> - -<p>“Excuse one further question,” continued the Egyptian. -“Do you stay long in the city?”</p> - -<p>“That depends on circumstances,” replied Cimon; -“but probably our affairs will keep us here for some -time.”</p> - -<p>“This young man has to-day made an enemy, and -a powerful one; no less a person than the dissipated son -of Flaccus, the Governor of Egypt. But he has also -found a friend; and if at any time you should need such -aid, in whatever affairs you have in hand, as can be given -by a native of the country, and by one well acquainted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> -with things and persons here and not altogether without -influence, ask at the Serapeum for the priest Seti, and -you will find that I have not forgotten to-day. Do you -believe in faces?” looking at Aleph.</p> - -<p>“In <em>some</em> faces, as interpreted by circumstances, I do -certainly,” replied the young man.</p> - -<p>“And so do I, at least so far as you are concerned,” -said the Egyptian; “and it is largely because I do so that -I now say what I do. There are two men in Alexandria -with whom you should have as little dealing as possible. -One is Flaccus, the Roman; the other is Malus, the Jew. -The one is violent, the other is crafty, and both are -wicked and powerful. Avoid them, if possible; but if it -is not possible, then remember Seti, the Egyptian. It is -true—what the proverb says, that in this world the worst -men often occupy the best places.”</p> - -<p>As the vessel approached the quay, Seti continued: -“I think that, contrary to my expectation, I will ask one -more question before we part. Of what faith are you? -All sorts are found here; also multitudes with no faith at -all. Where do you stand?” looking at Cimon. “Do -you hold with your fathers?”</p> - -<p>“With my father,” said the Greek; “but not with -my fathers. I follow not Zeus, but Jehovah; not the -oracles of Delphi and Dodona, but those of the Hebrew -prophets. This young man the same.”</p> - -<p>“It is as I supposed,” said the old man, after a moment -adding, as if to himself, “and it is well. Zeus, -Jupiter, Amun Re, and Jehovah, rightly understood, are -the same.”</p> - -<p>Giving them his hand, he stepped ashore, and disappeared -in the crowd. Runners from the various khans<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> -now came noisily aboard and fought for customers, as -they do now, and have done from time out of mind. To -one of these troublesome fellows Cimon delivered certain -packages, and then, with his young companion, followed -them. In passing the spot where they had left the -Roman, they found that he had disappeared. Who had -set him free? No matter; he is gone. We hope they -have seen the last of him. We hope that returning soberness -has made the man so ashamed of himself that hereafter -he will carefully keep out of view. But we have -our fears. The appeal from Philip drunk to Philip sober -is not always a success. Besides, Philip was not a -Roman.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p> - -<h2>II.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE CARAVANSARY.</span></h2> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p>Αλλη δ’ αλλων γλῶσσα μεμιγμένη.</p> - -<p class="right">—<span class="smcap">Homer</span>, <cite>Odyss.</cite> xix. 175.</p> - -<p><i>There was a great confusion of tongues.</i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p> - -<ul> -<li>1. All sorts.</li> -<li>2. What all believe.</li> -<li>3. An exception.</li> -<li>4. A wrong righted.</li> -</ul> - -</div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p> - -<h3>II.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE CARAVANSARY.</span></h3> - -<p>The khan to which our two friends were conducted -was not far from the landing. It was the chief -point, in that part of the city, of arrival and departure -for commercial people; and, as evening was now near, -the great court within was bustling and picturesque with -arrivals. Donkeys were being led through it to stables -in the rear, camels were being unloaded, horsemen were -dismounting; it was a very Babel of sounds, of costumes, -and of movements.</p> - -<p>“Is Nathan still the keeper of this khan?” inquired -Cimon of their guide, as they were being shown to their -quarters.</p> - -<p>“He is,” said the man; “but he is now out of the -city. Do you wish to see his assistant? The master -himself will not be at home for, perhaps, some days.”</p> - -<p>Cimon answered in the negative. Following their -guide and parcels into a small sleeping-room, with an -ante-room opening on the piazza which surrounded the -court, and directing that a simple meal should be sent to -them in the evening, they busied themselves for a while -in arranging matters for the night. Then they went out -on the cooler piazza, and seated themselves on a bench.</p> - -<p>“This adventure with the Roman seems unfortunate,”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> -said Cimon thoughtfully. “Unless matters have much -changed since I was here, the ill-will of any Roman official -is not to be coveted; while that of the Roman governor -looks like quite a serious matter to people on such an -errand as ours.”</p> - -<p>“My interference, I suppose,” said Aleph, “would -hardly be considered prudent by most people; but I cannot -but think that there is something better than prudence. -Shall we never allow our hearts to speak and act -without stopping to consider how our interests will be -affected? Safety gained in that way seems to me hardly -worth the having.”</p> - -<p>“I think you are right,” said the other. “I am far -from finding fault with what you have done. Under like -circumstances I would have you do it again. Our first -thought, no doubt, should be, What is highest and worthiest? -If that is not prudence, it is something vastly better. -But it <em>is</em> prudence, on the whole; for it will never -do for a man to despise himself and offend Heaven. God -governs. But we must wait for Him. A cloud is not -always a calamity. A rough wind may help one toward -the harbor sought. I know that these are your father’s -views, and that he would be unwilling to have his son -sacrifice, even magnanimity to any appearance of present -advantage.”</p> - -<p>“Have you any idea who Seti is?” inquired the -young man after a moment.</p> - -<p>“I have been trying,” answered the other, “to find -in my memory something about him. I know that when -I was here, the Egyptians as well as the Jews had an -official head or <i>alabarch</i> of their own nation, who was -the organ of communication between them and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> -Roman authorities. My impression is that the Egyptian -alabarch was of Pharaonic family and a priest of the Serapeum. -It may be that Seti is the man. I hope he is.”</p> - -<p>“I confess,” said Aleph, “that the man has quite -taken possession of me. It seems to me that I would be -willing to venture almost anything on his thorough uprightness -and even grandeur of character, although I -have known him but such a short time. Did you notice -what an aspect he turned on the Roman just after the -blow? Had not the fellow been besotted, the surprised -majesty of that look alone would have quelled him. But -how is it possible for such a man to be a worshipper of -brutes, and even to act as their priest?”</p> - -<p>“That is not a question easily answered,” replied the -Greek. “But probably Seti, like all superior Egyptian -priests from time immemorial, believes in a religion for -the few and another religion for the many. The doctrine -of One God to be worshiped without sensible figures is -for the few elect who are prepared for it; the lower -classes in general are not prepared for it, but need to -have the various divine attributes shadowed out to them -in sensible forms; and as no forms that man can make -are equal to even the familiar living creatures with their -wonderful mysteries of internal structure, these are offered -to assist the feeble thought of feeble men. Of course, this -is all wrong; but it is a wrong imbedded in the traditions -and prejudices of ages, and so not easily escaped from. -Jehovah makes allowances for such people, whether their -names be Socrates and Plato or Zoroaster and Seti. Aristotle -says that some of our species have gold blended in -their composition from the very beginning. Seti seems -to me one of these.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span></p> - -<p>By this time the sun was below the west side of the -khan, and the open court was quite in the shade. This -brought out into it and the surrounding piazzas all the -guests. It was a motley to see as well as to hear. Almost -every nation seemed represented, almost every style of -features and costume. There were Romans, Greeks, -Phenicians, Egyptians, Persians, Arabs, and even a -sprinkling of natives from Gaul, Spain, and other places. -Such a variety of faces, dress, and, when one listened attentively, -of speech! A drag-net of all seas was Nathan’s -khan.</p> - -<p>Aleph was all eyes and ears. The scene was full of -novelty and interest to him. At length, turning to his -companion, he said:</p> - -<p>“This scene reminds me of what I have often heard -you and my father say.”</p> - -<p>“And what is that?” asked Cimon. “Your father, -at least, is wont to say wise things beyond any man I ever -knew.”</p> - -<p>“That, wide as is the variety of religious beliefs -among men, they believe alike in certain main respects. -What differences among the faces before us as to color, -size, proportion of parts, expression; and yet they are all -faces, all human faces, all faces having the same general -plan of structure and location of the various organs.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” added the elder; “<i lang="la">Homines diversi sed -homines</i>, as said a Roman before you. And see how -various the costume; and yet it is all clothing,—all clothing -that recognizes the warm climate, the season of the -year, and to a certain extent the time of day and the convenience -of travelers.”</p> - -<p>“And you might add,” continued the young man,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> -after a moment of close listening, “that it is just so with -the various articulate sounds that come to us. While -they differ in tone, in time, in syntax, in dialect, they -are all speech, all articulate speech, and, for the most -part, speech so much of the Greek pattern as to be intelligible -to nearly all of us.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said Cimon, “and I suppose that it is very -much so with the religious beliefs of these people. -Though their creeds differ much among themselves, they -are alike in many most important particulars. They all -recognize a realm of spiritual beings superior to man, a -Supreme Deity, his concern in human affairs, messages -from him, our responsibility to him, a future state of rewards -and punishments, and the main principles of good -morals. There may be some exceptions; for these, I understand, -are skeptical times in the Roman world. Almost -everything is called in question among the philosophers, -even the fact that there is something to be called in -question; though it is found hard to get men to question -that the Romans are masters, that Tiberius reigns, and -that Alexandria is the greatest emporium of the world. -But the vagaries of the schools make but little impression -on the people at large. They never have done so. The -more fundamental beliefs have kept a firm hold on all -nations and ages. A little pool will show the heavens as -well as the ocean. This khan is a little pool; and at the -bottom of it, amid many wrinkles and clouds, one can -discover many of the larger stars of religious truth which -have shone on the world from the beginning.”</p> - -<p>“And how do you account for these universal beliefs?” -asked Aleph.</p> - -<p>“It seems to me that they came from a Divine revelation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> -to the first fathers of the race, and that they were -carried forth with them as they gradually dispersed from -their original seats, and that they took root so deeply in -the needs and reasons of men that no evil circumstances -have been able to remove them. It seems to me that as -all the routes of trade in our day naturally converge on -Alexandria, so the natural highways of thought and need -all over the world converge on these fundamental truths.”</p> - -<p>“No doubt you also think it reasonable to believe -that Deity, who made the deposits with the race, has -been personally active all along to preserve it, as a broad -ground for responsibility and further enlightenment? -In addition to a mighty undertow in human nature itself -toward these fundamental truths, there are winds and currents -of external circumstance setting in the same direction -by the personal agency of the Most High.”</p> - -<p>“Just so. But look at those men!”</p> - -<p>The two persons pointed at had been sitting not far -away in the open court, conversing in a low tone. By -degrees their conversation had become more animated and -loud, until now they were earnestly gesturing and talking -so as to be distinctly understood at a distance. It seemed -that one of the disputants was a Phenician, and was endeavoring -to settle an account of long standing with an -Alexandrian dealer in Tyrian dyes, to whom these goods -had from time to time been consigned. This dealer -claimed that several of the consignments had been short -in both quantity and quality; and so offered about half -the regular price for the whole lot.</p> - -<p>The other protested, called Baal and Ashtaroth to witness -that his claim was just; said that he had trusted for -so long and for so much, that if his accounts were not now<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> -allowed, he would be ruined. He had arrived from Sidon -some days before, expressly for the purpose of trying to -get a settlement, but had till now been unable to get even -an interview with the dealer, who was always too busy to -see him, but had at last agreed to have his agent meet him -at the khan. This was the meeting. The Phenician had -at first quietly represented the hardships of his case with -some hope of softening the agent, but, growing desperate, -he hotly rose from his seat and exclaimed in a voice that -was almost a wail:</p> - -<p>“I shall be undone,—quite undone! Have you no -mercy?”</p> - -<p>“Not much,” said the other, “for some people.”</p> - -<p>“Thou flint! Before all the gods my claim is just. -What shall I do? My children will starve.”</p> - -<p>“Let them. The fewer such brats the better. Business -is business. Take what I offer or nothing. You -have only yourself to blame; you shouldn’t cheat so.”</p> - -<p>“<em>Cheat!</em>” exclaimed the Phenician in a transport of -wrath that for the moment drank up his tears like a hot -blast from the desert. “<em>Cheat!</em> you Cretan rascal! You -are a pretty fellow to advise against cheating; you who, I -verily believe, never did anything else; nor your fathers -either, for that matter. Who does not know what the -honesty of a Cretan is worth?”</p> - -<p>By this time many had gathered around. Turning to -them, the Phenician besought their help to make his -debtor do him justice.</p> - -<p>“Why not go to the judge?” said a by-stander.</p> - -<p>“Ah, my friend, I have been imprudent. I cannot -<em>prove</em> that my goods were all right; for I was so careless -that I took it for granted that I was dealing with an honest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> -man, and so neglected to have them examined and -registered at Sidon. Besides, if I had done this, how -could I know but that the packages had been tampered -with on their way here? I could not swear that they -came into this man’s hands in as good condition as they -were when they left mine. But <em>he</em> could swear to anything. -Why shouldn’t he? He told me a little while -ago, while we were opening our conference with some -general talk, that he did not believe in any god or hereafter; -in short, that he had no religion of any sort. What -is to keep such a man from wronging his neighbor out of -his dues when it can be done safely?”</p> - -<p>“This man speaks truth,” said a substantial looking -man hard by; “for, as I was passing here some time ago, -I overheard this atheist sneering at all religion. Said I -to myself, that man is a rogue. Is cheating too bad a -thing for such a fellow to do? Hassan thinks not.”</p> - -<p>On this another cried out: “Some of us know Hassan. -His word is good. I think as he does: that a man who -has robbed himself of his conscience would not hesitate to -rob a Phenician of his goods.”</p> - -<p>“Exactly so,” said another just behind, as he gave his -neighbor a push toward the Cretan. “A man who does -not believe in anything good believes in everything bad.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, the fellow is an imitation philosopher, is he? -The genuine is bad enough, but an imitation is worse—mere -husks. And husks are thrown away. Let’s throw -him away;” and the speaker drew his girdle a hit -tighter.</p> - -<p>“And <em>I</em> would not trust the rascal with a fig,” cried -another, as he shied a rather sorry specimen of the fruit -at the Cretan.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Hustle him out—hustle him out,” cried several at -once, throwing up their hands.</p> - -<p>The crowd seemed on the point of doing it. The -Cretan turned pale as he saw them moving upon him, -and began to retreat toward the gate. Seeing this, some of -the people ran and planted themselves in the way. Finding -himself intercepted, the man jumped on a bench and -cried in a frightened voice:</p> - -<p>“Friends, do not harm me. I am only an agent in -this matter. I do what I am bid. My principal is -<span class="smcap">Malus</span>.”</p> - -<p>Malus, Malus—the word passed from mouth to mouth -in a low tone. It seemed magical. At once the outcry -ceased. The billow of angry faces and hands that was -rushing toward the Cretan suddenly stood still, and then -slowly broke into many little whispering, murmuring -whirlpools. The way to the gate was no longer barred, -and the Cretan made his way to it precipitately, and disappeared. -There was no danger of pursuit.</p> - -<p>The Phenician sat down again, and covered his face -with his hands. Our two friends talked together for a -few moments in a low tone. Then Aleph rose and went -to the man; and, after exchanging a few words with him, -conducted him to Cimon. A long conversation followed. -At last Cimon came forward to the edge of the piazza, -and beckoned for attention. He already had it—had indeed -been having it for some time; but seeing the gesture, -the people came nearer.</p> - -<p>“I do not express any opinion,” said the Greek, “as -to the justice of this man’s cause. We have not at present -the means for judging that. But, unless all the usual -marks fail, this is a case of genuine distress; and one that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> -is not likely to be helped by a resort to the courts. The -man confesses that he has been imprudent. Besides, he -is too poor to bear the expense of a suit. And if he could, -a suit would probably be in vain. When the weak contend -with the powerful, the weak must go to the wall. -So, rightly or wrongly, the poor man will lose his debt; -his family will suffer, and he will be in danger of losing -all heart by losing in his old age the labor of years. I -propose that we help him. The sum lost, though large -to him, would not be large to us. A small contribution -from each of us will set him on his feet again. Who of -you will join me in making it, perhaps in righting a great -wrong?”</p> - -<p>And, stepping forward, he laid a piece of gold on the -bench where the Phenician had sat. Aleph rose and put -another by the side of it. Hassan promptly came up and -did the same. The example was followed by others, until -at last Aleph, coming forward and examining the amount -contributed, pronounced it quite sufficient to cover the -loss. He handed the sum to the Phenician.</p> - -<p>The man seemed for a moment almost bewildered as -he received it. He then fell on his knees and thanked -his gods in a few trembling words; then springing to his -feet, he lifted up his voice and wept. At last he found -words and composure enough to say to the people:</p> - -<p>“My friends, you have saved me. I was ready to die; -would gladly have died a few moments ago; but now I -can live, because my family can. I bless you in the name -of my little children. You may be sure that you have -not helped a rogue; the facts are as I have given them. -Before the gods I am an honest man, though I could not -prove it before your judges. Again I thank you; and,”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> -turning to Cimon and Aleph, “especially these two -friends, who, though strangers to me, have this day stood -between me and ruin. If Sansciano ever forgets them, -may....”</p> - -<p>Here he fairly broke down, and suddenly turning to -one of the pillars that supported the piazza, buried his -face in his hand.</p> - -<p>The sudden night of Egypt was now upon them, and -the torches began to flame. After exchanging a few more -words with the Phenician, the two friends withdrew to -their rooms; but not before they had caught glimpse of -a Roman uniform entering the little office near the gate -of the court. Did it give them any uneasiness? I hope -not. Borrowing trouble is poor business. Sufficient unto -the day is the evil thereof. And then, is there not a -shield broad as the heavens above the good? Trust it, -ye strangers, and go to sleep—if ye are indeed good.</p> - -<p><em>Are</em> they good men? For one, I am inclined to -believe in them. Not so much because of their good -looks, as because they look good. Not so much from -what they have said and done during the few hours of -our acquaintance with them, as from a certain—well, let -the word be written, though deservedly somewhat unpopular -of late—<em>intuition</em>. There is something wonderfully -prepossessing in the look of both these strangers. -It is hard to say what that something is that so bespeaks -confidence, but that it exists and speaks mightily there -is no denying—at least by me. I seem to look right -through those frank and fearless yet kind eyes into -noble souls. It may be only a seeming. I shall not -attempt to justify myself to the philosophers. If they -choose to remind me that appearances are sometimes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> -deceptive; that virtue is often very cleverly imitated; in -short, that old proverbs declare that “All is not gold -that glitters,” and that “Fair outsides often cover foul -insides,” I have nothing to say against it. I shall not -argue the case with them. They would have the best of -it from the arguing stand-point. Intuitions cannot be -defended. So I will do nothing but express a modest -opinion that such well-appearing people will turn out as -good as they look. Even this, no doubt, will look sufficiently -foolish to some; and should they conclude to -suspend judgment as to the character of Cimon and -Aleph till they have seen more of them in the progress -of the narrative, I shall not complain. They are acting -sensibly—as the world goes. They certainly are on very -safe ground. “By their fruits ye shall know them” is -a maxim whose authority cannot be controverted. And -if, in the application of this maxim, they shall discover -that the two strangers are no better than they should be, -or as bad as the worst, I can only hang my head in confusion, -and confess that the logic of experience is better -than intuition—<em>my</em> intuition.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p> - -<h2>III.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE BANKER.</span></h2> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p>Τὰ χρήματα νεῦρα τῶν πραγμάτον.</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Plutarch</span>, <cite>Cleom.</cite> 27.</p> - -<p><i>Money, the sinews of business.</i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p> - -<ul> -<li>1. A financial emperor.</li> -<li>2. His greatest treasure.</li> -<li>3. Pharisees and Sadducees.</li> -<li>4. Poor Miriam!</li> -</ul> - -</div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p> - -<h3>III.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE BANKER.</span></h3> - -<p>Whether Cimon and Aleph slept the sleep of the -just we must leave to be settled in the progress of -the narrative. I am, I again confess, prepossessed in their -favor. At any rate, they slept so soundly that most of -the guests of the khan had gone off on their various -affairs before the two friends made their appearance.</p> - -<p>Perhaps, too, they were delayed by a cause that did -not delay many of their fellow-guests—morning worship. -It seems that they acknowledged Jehovah and a revelation -from him; and it is to be presumed that such people began -their day in the reasonable and old-fashioned way. -When have devout believers not acted on the principle -that prayer and provender hinder no man’s journey? -Besides, they breakfasted in their own room; whereas -most inmates of the khan patronized the cook shops that -abounded in the neighborhood.</p> - -<p>After the meal they went out and seated themselves -on the bench they had occupied the evening before.</p> - -<p>“The first thing to be done,” said Cimon, “is to find -a suitable banker and open an account with him for such -Alexandrian funds as we may need. As one of our objects -requires that we be unknown, and especially that our connection -with your father should not reach the ears of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> -Malus, we cannot use our draft on him except in case of -absolute necessity. We must depend on the jewels. And -they are too valuable to be trusted to any but the best -hands. If the Jewish family that held the alabarchate -when I was here last is still in business, this would be the -one to apply to. They were as noted for their integrity -as for their immense wealth and influence at Rome. I -will go and ask our deputy-host whether they have now -any representative in Alexandria.”</p> - -<p>After a short absence the Greek returned with two -canes in his hand, and with the information that the old -banking-house was flourishing more than ever in the person -of Alexander, the son of the old Alabarch; that the -son had succeeded to all his father’s honors and more -than his father’s wealth; and that, as the imperial -banker, his influence at Rome was supposed to be even -greater than among his own people for whom he had -lately enriched the nine gates of the temple at Jerusalem -with gold plates of enormous value. It was generally -understood in the city that he had lately prevented certain -oppressive measures against the Jews of Antioch by -threatening to withhold a loan. Some went so far as to -tell how many millions of sesterces each minute brought -him, and even supposed that he had discovered the art of -turning base metals into gold.</p> - -<p>“I am sorry that we did not ask Seti about the present -Alabarch,” said Cimon; “but I have no doubt from -what I know of the family that he is the person to whom -we should apply.”</p> - -<p>“I have also learned two other facts,” he continued. -“One is that the greatest galley in all the three harbors -is Malus himself, and that the Cretan of last night is one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> -of several small tenders that wait on the great ship and -do its meaner work—which means that the oversight of -the harbors and of the import trade has mainly fallen -into the hands of Malus and his agents, and that the fear -of him is on all small dealers, whom he could easily crush, -especially as he is on the best of terms with the Roman -authorities of the city. The other fact is that a Roman -soldier was at the khan-office last night to inquire whether -two men (describing us) were staying here. The deputy -said that he managed not to enlighten the man much—as -it was always safe to assume that what a Roman wanted -to know ought not to be known.”</p> - -<p>“Would it not be well for us,” said the young man, -“to make some changes in our dress so as to embarrass -such inquiries?... I am glad to see that you have brought -in your hand something to help us discourage unpleasant -recognitions,” he added with a smile and a glance at the -canes. “They have a tough and serviceable look.”</p> - -<p>“They certainly may be useful on occasion. But -every gentleman in Alexandria is in the habit of carrying -a cane; for us to do the same will help ward off notice as -well as assault. Dogs and donkeys abound; and some of -them walk on two legs. A stout stick, with your skill at -fence and thrust, will be almost as good as a sword.... As -to making some changes in dress, I think your suggestion -a good one. I also think that it would be well for you, -at least, to dress somewhat more richly to-day, inasmuch -as you must be the one to do our business with the banker. -Till one is known appearance goes far. Meanwhile I will -brush up my knowledge of the city and its people. We -will meet here late in the day.”</p> - -<p>Cimon then produced his tablets and drew on them a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> -rough plan of the city—one central street, two hundred -feet broad, running between the lake and the sea from the -gate of the Moon to the gate of the Sun, and called Emporium -Street: this crossed in the middle at right angles -by another street of similar breadth, but of much less -length, called the street of Canopus, ending on the west -at the gate of the Necropolis, and on the east at the gate -of Canopus: these two main streets cut at right angles by -all the rest: here, in the south-east, the Jews’ quarter, -occupying two of the five divisions of the city: there, -north of this quarter and extending to the two harbors -Eunostus and Kibotus, and including all the frontage on -these harbors called Bruchium, the Greek and Roman -quarters. These latter also include a narrow section of -the city lying along the whole length of Emporium Street -on the west. Just west of this section is Rachotis or the -Egyptian quarter, in the southern part of which, on the -highest ground in the city, stands the Serapeum, the -famous temple of Jupiter Serapis.</p> - -<p>“Entering at the gate of the Moon,” continued Cimon, -“you are to pass up Emporium Street till you come to -the street of Canopus: here turn to your right, and, after -a short walk, you will find by inquiry the place of the -great banker.”</p> - -<p>Surely, the way was so plain that no guide would be -needed. So, after making some changes in his dress, -Aleph took his cane and set forth.</p> - -<p>By this time the whole Alexandrian world, the most -industrious and bustling world known in ancient times, -was in full movement. Such tides of men surging from -sea to lake and from lake to sea—such tides of donkeys -and horses and camels going and coming—such a menagerie<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> -and roar of sounds from the tramp of thousands, the -shrill calls of traders hawking their wares, the cries of the -animals and their drivers, the infinite clatter from the -tools of artisans of every name pouring out from the open -shops far and near! Slowly on went the young man, -with eyes full of grave interest, along the splendid thoroughfare -for two miles, till he came to the ornate square, -half a league in circumference, from the centre of which -one could, without changing his place, see the lake on -the south and the harbors with their dividing mole -(Heptastadium) and its Pharos on the north, as well as -the sands of the desert at both ends of the street of -Canopus. Turning down this street to the east under -one of the magnificent colonnades that skirted it on -either hand, he noticed as he advanced not only that the -leading places of business were held by Jews (a fact that -he had noticed on the other street), but that the farther -he went the more people he saw with Jewish features.</p> - -<p>Before he had gone very far, two young men with -caps and black gowns, something like the present English -university dress, hurried by him; one saying to the other -as they passed:</p> - -<p>“The earlier at the Alabarch’s the better. First -come, first served, you know.”</p> - -<p>Aleph quickened his pace so as to keep near them. -They soon came to what seemed a fortress rather than a -private dwelling or place of business—solid stone, no windows -on the first story, length on the street several times -that of an ordinary dwelling. Solidity and strength -rather than show was the impression given—no elaborate -carvings, no pillars of porphyry and cornelian, but plain, -massive, mob-defying marble; in short, an architectural<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> -<em>safe</em>. This structure was on a corner. Turning the corner, -the young men came by a few steps to a small door. -Aleph followed closely; and when the door opened to the -others, he entered with them and was ushered into a reception-room -close by, where many others were already -waiting their turn to be called into the presence of the -financial magnate.</p> - -<p>Soon a servant presented on a silver salver tablets to -the new-comers, on which each should write his name. -When the tablets came to Aleph he noticed that the -names of the two young men who had just written were -<i>P. Cornelius, Serapeum</i>, and <i>Q. Metellus, Museum</i>. -What did <em>he</em> write? After a moment’s hesitation he wrote -<i>Aleph, the Chaldean, khan near the gate of the Moon</i>.</p> - -<p>There were several academic uniforms in the room -(each with a conspicuous gold badge in front) that seemed -well acquainted with one another, and not disposed to -lose the time of waiting, possibly long, in silence. Some -talked together with great enthusiasm of a boat-race that -had come off the day before on the lake: others discussed -the merits of various recent performances in the palæstra, -especially those of a certain noted athlete and trainer who -had just arrived from Rome: two agreed that there was -nothing worth living for but the noble art of fencing, and -that the greatest living master of the art was one Draco of -Rhodes, of whom they were taking lessons. A knot of -dudes were comparing breast-pins and finger-rings and -experiences at the last fashionable party; or boasting of -the successful tricks they had played on the lecturers at -the Museum, and of how they managed to evade many of -the lectures and delude their parents and other friends at -home with the idea that they were hard at work digging<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> -into all the sciences and philosophies and living like hermits -on crusts and water. Some were ready to burst with -merriment over some practical jokes they had played on -some citizen or new-comer at the Museum; or at the way -in which they had baffled the police in a midnight brawl.</p> - -<p>The two students who came in with Aleph seemed -better to deserve the name. They had just come from a -lecture by Philo, a brother of the Alabarch; and found -much to commend in his ingenious attempts to Hellenize -the Hebrew writers or to Hebraize the Greek—they were -uncertain which way to put it. They agreed that he was -a very broad man and ready to do justice to great men of -other nationality than his own. They were also hearing -lectures on astronomy and Hipparchus in the observatory -rooms at the Serapeum, as well as on the physics and -metaphysics of Aristotle at the Museum.</p> - -<p>Aleph was not sorry to have this little insight into -student life in Alexandria; and, considering the number -of persons in the room on his arrival, he was expecting to -have a still longer time to observe and listen, when, to his -surprise and apparently to that of others around, a special -servant came to conduct him to the banker.</p> - -<p>After passing through a large room occupied by many -persons busy at desks, and crossing a broad passage from -which rose a flight of marble steps, they came to a small -room plainly furnished, in which were seated two men. -What was his surprise to recognize in one of them the -Egyptian Seti! The pleasure he felt sprang at once to -his face, as he advanced with a warm but modest greeting -which the aged man cordially reciprocated, and then presented -him to the Alabarch as “the young man of whom -we have been speaking.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p> - -<p>Alexander was a Jew to the slightest inspection. But -his features though national were royally so, and might -have belonged to Solomon. Their whole expression bespoke -one accustomed to great thoughts and plans; while -yet a certain watchfulness, like distant pickets about a -royal encampment, looked out from far back in his frank -and friendly eyes as of one who knows that all sorts of -characters will come to a banker, and who knows how to -protect himself on occasion. His manners were polished -and courtly—as might have been expected in one who -dealt only with the highest and most cultured classes, and -was even a companion of princes. In watching him one -felt sure that the man was larger than his wealth, however -large that might be. He was still in the prime of life, -and without a thread of silver in his dark hair and -beard.</p> - -<p>Alexander received the young man graciously, though -with wide-open, all-observing eyes.</p> - -<p>“I happened,” said the Egyptian to Aleph, “to be -with my son when your name was brought in; and, -though you gave me no name yesterday, I fancied that -the Chaldean was the friend I have occasion to remember, -and that his first business would naturally be with a -banker. I had just finished explaining how we met when -you came in.”</p> - -<p>“That I am as glad as surprised,” returned the young -man, “to see you here and in such a relation, you doubtless -have already discovered. Perhaps I am the more glad -because my business with this gentleman is such as may -call for a word of friendly prepossession in my favor from -one who is known here. For the present I am compelled -to remain unknown. I can only appear as Aleph, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> -Chaldean, in company with his preceptor and friend, -Cimon the Athenian. So I have no papers to present on -which to ask an open account for him and myself, within -certain limits, with a banker. I have only certain jewels -to place in his hands, of the value of which he must -judge”—and he drew from the bosom of his tunic a -small box which he opened and handed to Alexander.</p> - -<p>The banker was surprised. In all his wide experience -he had never fallen in with such brilliants—so large, so -beautifully and variously hued, with such soft and mystic -fires playing about them and raying out from their inmost -depths. A pearl, a ruby, a sapphire, and a diamond—that -was all; but, as Alexander turned the box this way -and that, there flashed out upon him such lovely lights -as he had never seen in the imperial treasury at Rome, -enriched as it was with the regalia of many nations.</p> - -<p>After carefully taking out each gem and examining it -on all sides, and then as carefully replacing it in its luxurious -bed, Alexander at length fetched a long breath and -slowly said:</p> - -<p>“If any common stranger had brought me these remarkable -jewels I should have demanded to know his -name and station—in short, that he is the rightful owner -of such a treasure. This would only be common prudence. -But I happen to have an uncommon father-in-law, who -has a notion that he has a gift of reading character in -faces and bearing, and who thinks so favorably of yours -that he might quarrel with me if I should deal with you -on strictly business principles. I should be sorry to have -him do that. Besides, to tell the truth, I have something -of his weakness for a good face and figure, and whatever -else that indescribable something about you is that demands<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> -confidence. So I think I will venture”—and he -threw an arch look and smile at Seti.</p> - -<p>And he drew two sheets of papyrus toward himself. -After writing for some time, he read over to himself carefully -what he had written, and then handed the sheet to -Aleph, saying, “Is this satisfactory?”</p> - -<p>The young man read a full description of the box and -its contents; an acknowledgment of the receipt of it as -basis for credit to the extent of 200,000 aurei or staters, -to be drawn upon at pleasure in large or small sums; also -a promise to restore the jewels on repayment of sums advanced -with a moderate interest.</p> - -<p>Aleph pronounced the paper entirely satisfactory, and -far more favorable than he had any reason to expect—adding, -however, that he had no idea of making any large -drafts on the sum pledged; as one of the objects he had -in view in Alexandria would compel him to live in a very -quiet and inexpensive way, even if it were not a matter of -choice.</p> - -<p>Alexander then proceeded to copy the document, and -to affix his signature and seal to it and to the copy. He -retained one and gave the other to Aleph, with a parcel -of small slips of papyrus each already signed by himself, -but otherwise blank, saying:</p> - -<p>“Whenever you wish current money, fill in one of -these with the sum desired, in your own handwriting and -with your name as given to-day, and present it in the -room through which you passed in coming here.... -Now I will put this treasure where it will be somewhat -safer than it was when walking the streets of Alexandria -under the protection of a cane”—and he rose and took -the box and his copy of the paper he had just executed to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> -carry them into an adjoining room whose door, massive -with iron, proclaimed the very citadel of the financial -stronghold.</p> - -<p>“Will you add this small parcel of valuable documents -to the box?” said Aleph, as he again produced from -the bosom of his tunic an elaborately tied and sealed -parcel.</p> - -<p>Alexander had hardly resumed his seat, after a few -moments’ absence, when a light step was heard descending -the stairs in the neighboring passage, the door softly -opened a little, then wider, and after a moment a young -lady advanced into the room. Seti and Aleph were so -seated that they could not well be seen from the door; -and the maiden seeing none but Alexander went hastily -up to him, put her hand on his shoulder, kissed his forehead, -and said:</p> - -<p>“Father, word has just been brought me that my poor -nurse Miriam, who has come back to the city sick, is -now dying, and wants to see me. May I take a servant -with me and go? In the absence of my mother and -brothers, I thought I had better come directly to you, as -I may need to be gone for some time, and you would be -alarmed at my prolonged absence.”</p> - -<p>“Certainly I would have been. Take two servants: -then you can send one of them back for anything that -may be needed. Let the woman have every possible help -and comfort. But, Rachel, you do not notice your grandfather!”—nodding -his head toward Seti, who had risen -and was coming toward her.</p> - -<p>Rachel turned suddenly, with a faint exclamation of -surprise, and sprang into the open arms of the Egyptian, -exclaiming:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span></p> - -<p>“When did you come? I thought you were still in -Upper Egypt. How glad I am to see you, my dear grandfather—as -glad as one can be whose foster-mother lies -dying!”</p> - -<p>“I will not keep you from her—only to answer your -question by saying that I reached the city safely last evening, -thanks to a young friend of mine. No particulars at -present. Perhaps I will step in at Miriam’s on my way -home (I accidentally heard of her whereabouts this morning), -and see if the leech has done his best, and, if not, -whether old Egypt can do better.”</p> - -<p>“Do, grandfather,” she pleaded, “and come soon: -for I verily believe that the priest Seti knows more of the -healing art than all the rest of Alexandria—the daughters -of my people not excepted.”</p> - -<p>As she glided toward the door her eye rested for a -moment with a startled look on Aleph. He had till now -been unobserved. The tall form of Seti had been interposed. -She hesitated a moment, as if to make sure that -the young man was not some one whom she ought to -recognize, and then hastened away.</p> - -<p>Ah, those great, lovely eyes! It was but a second that -their inquiring look rested on him; but they at once made -him forget every other feature. He had not failed to -notice her faultless figure, the queenly carriage of her -head, the easy grace and even majesty of her every movement; -and when she turned to greet Seti he had had full -view of an exquisite face, hesitating between girlhood and -womanhood—a face wonderfully luminous with a certain -spiritual and lofty loveliness—but the moment her eyes -shot their fires into his, all previous impressions vanished, -and he saw nothing but <em>eyes, eyes</em>. In talking over the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> -events of the day with Cimon at the khan in the evening, -he could not, for the life of him, remember distinctly -whether she was tall or short, dark or brown-haired, light-complexioned -or otherwise—he could only remember the -glorious <em>eyes</em>. But the young man was in Alexandria for -a purpose, and a great one: and what had he to do with a -maiden’s haunting eyes? Just nothing at all. So he -turned his own eyes to the business in hand: and the -effulgent twin stars that had just risen above his horizon, -contrary to the order of Nature, silently sank back again -and disappeared—almost.</p> - -<p>He rose to take leave. But Alexander said, <i>Wait a -little</i>, and touched a string. A servant appeared, to -whom he gave some directions in a low voice. When he -had dismissed the man, he said that he had just sent to -notify those in waiting that no more business would be -done to-day. He added that he usually closed business -earlier on the sixth day of the week out of regard to the -sacred seventh, and that so he had some leisure for conversation; -if the young man would resume his seat.</p> - -<p>“Speaking of our Sabbath,” continued he; “reminds -me that I ought to invite you to our place of worship for -to-morrow: for I learn that you are not a worshipper of -Belus?”</p> - -<p>“Hardly,” said Aleph with a smile.</p> - -<p>“Nor a fire-worshipper?”</p> - -<p>“By no means.”</p> - -<p>“Nor a worshipper of the sun, moon and stars?”</p> - -<p>“I was not so taught,” emphatically.</p> - -<p>“But you were taught to worship the One God who -made the heavens and the earth, and who spake by Moses -and our other prophets?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Even so: our family religion for generations has -been that of the Hebrews—as being the most credible and -satisfactory within our knowledge.”</p> - -<p>“Our common friend here could not tell me quite as -much as this,” said Alexander with a gratified look, “but -I am glad to hear it, and hope to learn at some future -time how your family came into possession of our faith. -You observe our sacred day?”</p> - -<p>“I do, as does also my companion. Though a Greek -by birth, he is a Hebrew in religion. We will be pleased -to accept your invitation for to-morrow. Where shall we -find your place of worship?”</p> - -<p>“We Jews are 300,000 strong. So there are several -synagogues in the city; but two of these are much larger -than the rest, and stand for two different schools of doctrine -among us. The one with which I am connected is -the <i>Diapleuston</i> and is on the street of Canopus, not far -from here. The other is on Emporium Street, and is not -so large as ours, but still has many substantial adherents, -of whom Malus, our chief shipping merchant, is the most -prominent. Indeed, I think that he is now the chief ruler -of his synagogue.”</p> - -<p>“May I ask,” inquired Aleph, “what the doctrinal -difference between the two synagogues is?”</p> - -<p>“The chief difference,” answered Alexander, “relates -to the degree of authority to be allowed to our Sacred -Books. We of the <i>Diapleuston</i> say that their authority is -final on all matters of which they speak—that their writers -were so guided and guarded by Jehovah in composing -them that they were at first perfectly free from mistake -of all sorts: while the other school maintain that, while -properly enough said to be of divine origin, our Scriptures<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> -have always been more or less mistaken in their teachings -and need to be sifted by learned men.”</p> - -<p>“Do these men offer any criterion by which one may -separate the reliable from the unreliable?”</p> - -<p>“They do not <em>agree</em> on any. One says that all important -Scripture statements are reliable; another tells -us that all are reliable, save in the domains of history and -science; another excludes as unreliable all but positively -<em>religious</em> statements.”</p> - -<p>“Of course they differ widely as to what <em>are</em> important -or strictly religious matters.”</p> - -<p>“Certainly. Whatever statements are unsatisfactory -to a man for any reason he is apt to think of small consequence.”</p> - -<p>“And I should suppose the other test might be -equally elusive. Is there not room for considerable difference -of opinion as to what deserve to be called moral -and religious statements?”</p> - -<p>“So it seems: and, as a matter of fact, Malus and his -synagogue agree only in discrediting those parts of the -Scriptures that are in the narrative form and a large part -of the remainder. Especially are they prepared to admit -the possibility of mistake to almost any extent in Moses -and the earlier Scripture writers. Not a few deny that -we have any Moses. What passes under the ancient name -is really the invention of recent times.”</p> - -<p>“This is the result I should expect. One seems to be -left at liberty to take as much or little of the Scriptures -as suits him: for if parts of them are unreliable, and we -have no sure way of determining where these parts are, -we will be likely to locate them where our prejudices and -inclinations say. The larger part of the Book may easily<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> -be considered secular or unimportant by one who wishes -as much.”</p> - -<p>“Very true,” said Alexander; “and see what the -other synagogue have actually come to! Some reject the -doctrine of angels, some that of a human soul distinct -from the body, some that of personal responsibility, and -nearly all that of miracles and all other forms of supernaturalism -in history, as well as that of a future state of -settled character and destiny for men. And so on. -Really, between them all, there is very little of the sacred -Book left. The sum of their doubts and denials would -cover almost the whole of it. What is left is the brief -revelation that Malus, the Sadducee, uses. His maxim -is to discard what anybody doubts.”</p> - -<p>“This seems to me a sad state of things,” said Aleph, -fetching a long breath that was almost a sigh. “It would -be almost unimaginable in the house of my fathers. -Practically these people are without a revelation. The -only revelation to each is that bundle of guesses and notions -which he calls his knowledge or judgments: and -there are about as many different revelations of this sort -as there are men; and, to my thinking, they are all about -equally worthless. It is sad that circumcised people -should hold such uncircumcised notions.”</p> - -<p>“A sad state of things, indeed,” consented Alexander, -“but we may console ourselves with the fact that this sad -sort of people are a minority and a small one, and have -been quite unknown among our people till quite recent -times. I trust they will soon become unknown again. -When the Messiah, whom we are daily looking for, comes -and, accrediting himself by signs and wonders, declares<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> -that not one jot or tittle of the law shall fail, even Malus -will have a revelation that is worth the having.”</p> - -<p>“May He come quickly!” said the young man devoutly.</p> - -<p>Alexander looked intently for a moment on the kindling -and abstracted face before him, and then as devoutly -said <i>Amen</i>.</p> - -<p>During this conversation Seti maintained an unbroken -silence—his arms folded, his face impassive, but his eyes -as watchful as eagles’. He seemed to be hearing as well -as seeing with those ancient eyes of his that never once -left the face of Aleph.</p> - -<p>They both rose at the same time—Seti saying that he -would walk along with the young man and point out the -Diapleuston in passing.</p> - -<p>The Alabarch courteously escorted them through the -now vacant rooms to the door; saying to Aleph, as he -parted, “Remember—at the third hour to-morrow. Come -half an hour earlier.”</p> - -<p>Turning into the street of Canopus, and going westward -under the colonnade, they soon came to a corner on -which stood an imposing structure of white marble. As -Aleph glanced down the side street he saw that the length -of the structure was immense: as he passed to the front -he saw that its breadth was nearly as great. A central -part raised on a lofty pediment, surmounted by a gilded -dome, and supported in front and on either hand by immense -monolith columns, was surrounded on all visible -sides at a little distance by low marble cloisters—save -where a broad flight of steps led up from the street to the -great doors. From the wide platform at the top the great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> -columns rose in elaborately wrought clusters, each supporting -an ornate capital, architrave, frieze, and cornice; -while, behind, the whole front was alive with spirited -sculpture in relief of the Feast of Tabernacles.</p> - -<p>I must not forget to add that at one angle the low -cloisters swelled into a graceful and lofty tower that ended -in a parapet.</p> - -<p>“From behind that parapet,” said Seti, pointing, -“are sounded the seventy silver trumpets that summon -the Jews to their worship; for here is the Diapleuston -to which you have been invited.”</p> - -<p>They passed on to another crossing.</p> - -<p>“Let us turn down this street,” said the Egyptian. -“It is less crowded than the thoroughfare, and equally -direct for both of us, as I learn that you are staying for -the present near where we landed yesterday. Besides, I -wish to stop for a few moments with the sick woman. I -am afraid of these Alexandrian leeches. Once in every -five or ten years they get a new fashion of treating diseases -and call it science.”</p> - -<p>They turned south and soon came to a humble house, -where Seti knocked. The door was opened by a shiftless -looking Greek who, on request, pointed to a door within -which the sick woman could be found. On entering, -they found her on a rude bed, supported almost in a sitting -posture by the daughter of Alexander, who sat behind -her. She was a woman of middle age, very emaciated, -eyes closed, lips parted, chest laboriously heaving, apparently -unconscious.</p> - -<p>“Oh, grandfather, I feared you would not come,” -exclaimed the maiden in a subdued voice, “feared you -would be too late,—I am afraid you <em>are</em> too late. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> -leech says that nothing more can be done”—and the -tears dropped fast from the lovely eyes.</p> - -<p>The rich dress worn at home had been exchanged for -one exceedingly plain and suited to her present sad and -humble surroundings. But the change did not detract -from her superb loveliness. On the contrary, the exquisite -graces of feature and figure became all the more -apparent in the absence of the distractions of extrinsic -ornament; and a new light born of a heavenly pity and -self-forgetfulness was shining in her face.</p> - -<p>Without replying to her words, Seti advanced to a -casement and door, and threw them widely open on a -small open court.</p> - -<p>“But the leech, grandfather, said that the fresh air -must be excluded.”</p> - -<p>“Did he bring this?” said the Egyptian, taking up -from the bed a partly unrolled manuscript. He read -aloud: “<i>The Psalms of David translated by the Seventy</i>.”</p> - -<p>“That is mine,” said Rachel. “I brought it with -me, and have read from it to Miriam while she could -listen. It was her only comfort, besides prayer.”</p> - -<p>“What have you learned about her case?”</p> - -<p>“You know that she left us two years ago to marry a -man whom we could not approve: and until yesterday we -did not know what had become of her. Then I had a -message from her husband, who is a Greek, that she was -sick at this place. I went to her at once and found her -very weak and low with this fever; and gathered from -her with great difficulty that she had led a life of hardship -and exposure since leaving us, had sometimes been -in the extreme of want, but was ashamed to make her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> -situation known to us after having rejected our counsel. -So she had gradually been worn down by want and disappointment -until this fever seized on her and found an -easy victim”—and the fair head drooped with a sigh to -the hot forehead that rested against her shoulder.</p> - -<p>“Has she asked for nothing?” inquired Seti.</p> - -<p>“Not of late. When I first came she wanted water, -and asked for it almost constantly. But the leech said -she must not have it. It would chill her and finally make -the fever worse. He would only allow her lips to be -moistened occasionally with a sponge.”</p> - -<p>“Her lips are trying to move now. Can you hear -anything?”</p> - -<p>“Nothing.”</p> - -<p>Seti stooped and put his ear close to the lips of the -dying woman. He shook his head.</p> - -<p>“Old age,” said he, “has its disadvantages, and dull -ears are one of them. Perhaps my young friend here can -help us”—and he beckoned to Aleph, who had remained -at some distance.</p> - -<p>The young man at once came forward, and, kneeling -by the bed, laid his ear close to the twitching lips. For -a few moments he seemed not to breathe at all. As Seti -looked down on that noble head with its wealth of youth -and strength in broad contrast with the sharp, worn features -of the sick woman, he said to himself: “It is the -head of Horus, the sun-god.”</p> - -<p>At length Aleph rose. “She says <i>water, water</i>—that -and nothing else.”</p> - - -<p>“Give her water, then,” commanded Seti.</p> - -<p>“But the leech, grandfather!” interposed the maiden -anxiously.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p> - -<p>“No matter what the leech says. I too am a leech. -Let her drink freely.”</p> - -<p>Aleph took up the water-jar that was standing by the -bed, poured into a large cup that was near till it was -almost full, and held it to the lips of the woman—saying -to Rachel as he did so: “It is the way of my country.” -The dry lips closed spasmodically over the rim of the cup, -and did not release it till not a drop was left. She opened -her eyes. A faint sigh of relief reached the younger ears.</p> - -<p>“Give her another cup,” said Seti.</p> - -<p>She drained that also: then whispered <i>Heaven</i>—so -that they all heard, and almost a smile hovered upon her -wan features. Great drops stood on her forehead, and -she quietly sank into sleep.</p> - -<p>“Now lay her down softly,” said the Egyptian to the -maiden, “and let her sleep. She will do well. What -has she eaten?”</p> - -<p>“Nothing since I have been here. The leech said -that food would not nourish her: it would only nourish -the fever.”</p> - -<p>“Has she never asked for anything in particular?”</p> - -<p>“The woman who was here when I came tells me that -before nurse became so weak she asked for fried lampreys -and onions. But the leech said that she could not ask -for a worse dish. It would kill her outright. And, what -was worse, it would kill him too; for it would ruin -his practice to allow such a thing. It was against all -rules.”</p> - -<p>“Never you mind his rules. Tell the woman—but -here she is; I will tell her myself,” and he turned toward -a peasant woman, who had just softly entered and was -standing embarrassed at the presence of strangers. “When<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> -this sick person wakes let her drink all the water she -wants. Then ask her if she can think of anything she -would like to eat, calling over to her all the eatables you -can think of, and whatever she chooses get for her, even -though it is fried lampreys or fried dragons. Do you -understand?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, my lord; but the leech ...”</p> - -<p>“Will see that these instructions of Seti are obeyed. -If not, send word at once to this lady.... Now, Rachel, -you ought to go home at once. Though you are not unaccustomed -to such work as this, I can see that you are -tired and worn. If you were of the fainting sort I should -hold out my arms to catch you from falling—your cheeks -are so white and your eyes so——”</p> - -<p>She would have fallen had she not hastily staggered -toward him and caught his arm.</p> - -<p>“Yes, grandfather, I think I had better go home as -soon as possible,” she said in a low and trembling voice. -“The closeness of the room till you came, together with -the anxiety and excitement, has been too much for me. -But the open air will set me right.”</p> - -<p>“Ought not the lady to have a sedan?” inquired -Aleph. “I saw a stand at the last corner as we came.”</p> - -<p>“Certainly,” said Seti: “and where are the two -servants, Rachel, who came with you?”</p> - -<p>“Are they not at the door? I left them there, to be -within call.”</p> - -<p>“I did not notice them when we came. Did you?”—turning -to Aleph.</p> - -<p>Aleph shook his head. “Allow me to go for a sedan,” -said he, “and we will see the lady safely home.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you—that will do.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p> - -<p>Aleph hastened away. During his absence, which was -short, Rachel reclined; and on his return with a chair -and two stout porters he found her much revived and -quite disposed to dismiss the vehicle as being unnecessary. -But this Seti would not permit. And she speedily found -that he was right; for, on trying to walk to the door, she -found it necessary to accept support from both men. But -the open air of the street seemed to recall her strength at -once, and she entered the sedan without help.</p> - -<p>Seti walked before the vehicle to guide. Aleph walked -behind—every now and then quieting the motion of the -bearers by a word, and once or twice venturing to draw -aside the curtain and inquire in a grave, sympathetic way -how the lady was enduring the jolting. The answer was -satisfactory and cordial: and when the house of Alexander -was reached she professed to feel as well and strong as -ever, and proved it by darting up the steps without aid. -Turning, as the door opened, she threw down thanks and -adieu with the gesture of a goddess and disappeared.</p> - -<p>“There goes the Gem of Alexandria,” murmured Seti -to himself.</p> - -<p>Aleph said nothing, but he thought that, whatever the -gem, it was a wonderfully fine casket that contained it. -He was sure that he had never seen a finer. And those -<em>eyes</em>! As he turned away the twin stars again ventured -to show themselves above his horizon in all their dewy -splendors. But what had he to do with a maiden’s starry -eyes? Just nothing at all. So back they timidly sank -to the horizon’s edge; but refused to go farther. They -must wait till they had burned a path through.</p> - -<p>That evening at the khan Cimon and Aleph compared -experiences. Cimon had revived his acquaintance with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> -the city, but had not found any of his old acquaintances. -Thirty years and more had dismissed all of them to new -homes or to the Necropolis. No directory made it possible -for him to be sure but that, somewhere in the great -city, some one whom he had known as a young man was -still living with whitening locks; but no doubt nearly all -of his generation were dead. That was the way of things -in Alexandria: as it is everywhere else. Cimon was sad -that night. O Time, thou mighty thief, when will Government -apprehend thee and bring thee to justice! Or, -better still, when will it take thy scythe from thee, and -put thee into some Reformatory to learn giving instead of -stealing, addition instead of subtraction, flowing instead -of ebbing, the art of ever setting poor men forward from -strength to strength instead of backward from weakness -to weakness! Well, that is what will be done some day—for -some. For whom?</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> - -<h2>IV.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE SYNAGOGUE.</span></h2> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p>Καὶ ἀρίστους δὲ καὶ θεοφιλεστάτους.</p> - -<p class="right">—<span class="smcap">Xenophon</span>, <cite>Memorab.</cite> iii. 9.</p> - -<p><i>That the best men are most observant of Divine worship.</i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span></p> - -<ul> -<li>1. Is it a recognition?</li> -<li>2. Diapleuston the magnificent.</li> -<li>3. Has the Messiah come?</li> -<li>4. Procul este profani.</li> -</ul> - -</div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span></p> - -<h3>IV.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE SYNAGOGUE.</span></h3> - -<p>If the reader is curious to know how the two friends -passed the long Sabbath morning, before it was time -to go to the synagogue, I can inform him. They prayed -apart, they prayed together; they produced a copy of the -Septuagint and read what the prophets had written about -the Messiah. They found many mysteries, and much -material for conversation, until the dial in the centre of -the court told them that it was time to be moving.</p> - -<p>On their way up Emporium Street they kept to the -right side for two reasons—because the right was first -reached, and because on that side the current of people -was in their own direction. And a strong current it was. -Men, women, and children, with Jewish faces and apparently -dressed in their best, in great numbers were leisurely -moving northward. Aleph was tall enough to look over -the heads of most of the people before him and noticed in -the distance the living stream turning into a building. It -occurred to him that this building was probably the synagogue -of Malus, of which the Alabarch had spoken. He -was confirmed in this idea by the light behavior of most -about him. The principle of reverence was neither in -their feet nor in their faces. And as to their tongues—these -seemed to have the freedom of all the days of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> -week. They were talking shop, talking ships, talking -fashions, talking gossip—talking everything but politics -and religion. These last topics they prudently left to the -Romans and “whom it might concern.”</p> - -<p>When they came to the synagogue they saw that it -was large; though by no means as large and imposing as -the Diapleuston. They lingered a little among the many -standing on the street in order to get a better view. Just -then came up a group of persons more richly dressed than -the rest, and for whom the rest made way with special -deference as they mounted the steps. One of these, whose -dress was particularly showy, turned when he had reached -the last platform, and looked down among the people as -if seeking some one. His eye rested on Aleph. Both -Cimon and Aleph noticed an involuntary start. It could -hardly have been greater if the man had received an unexpected -blow.</p> - -<p>He was a man of middle stature, somewhat past middle -life, and more than middlingly obese. His face was -a curiosity. It was as round as a full moon, and as -pocked: but the great peculiarity of it was its characterless -or wooden expression. It neither laughed nor cried, -it neither promised nor threatened, it was neither happy -nor miserable, it was neither saint nor sinner. Yet one -hesitates a little over this last statement. There was a -certain thin, very thin, something about the face that -asked to be considered religious. But to the eyes of our -friends it seemed sanctimoniousness instead of sanctity, a -gauze white veil which, however well worn, is no part of -the person and can be put off at pleasure. Perhaps they -were mistaken. Sudden judgments sometimes shoot wide -of the mark. And it was but a moment they had in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> -which to study his face before he disappeared within the -synagogue.</p> - -<p>Cimon turned to a by-stander, and asked: “The -ruler of the synagogue?” The man bowed assent.</p> - -<p>“I wonder,” said Cimon, musingly, as they passed -on, “whether Malus recognized your father in you. You -resemble him strongly—as he was, thirty years ago.”</p> - -<p>As they came up to the Diapleuston there burst from -the summit of the side tower a chorus of trumpets—rich, -soft, yet far-sounding. Looking up they saw seventy -men standing behind a circular balustrade and chanting -through silver trumpets toward all points of the compass.</p> - -<p>“How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts,” -went sounding broadly forth over the city.</p> - -<p>They were met just within the doors by Alexander -himself—to whom Aleph presented his “preceptor and -friend” Cimon. The Alabarch received them with great -courtesy, and thanked the young man for the service rendered -to his daughter the day before; and when Aleph -expressed the hope that she had quite recovered from her -indisposition, he said:</p> - -<p>“Quite so, she tells me; and so I have brought her -with me to give thanks for the good news this morning -received that her nurse continues to mend.”</p> - -<p>And he led the way toward a distant canopy not far -from the centre, near which his daughter was sitting. -She was simply dressed and closely veiled; but Aleph -had no difficulty in recognizing the exquisite shape and -bearing of the Gem of Alexandria.</p> - -<p>Alexander then said that he had asked them to come -somewhat in advance of the congregation, partly in order -that they might have time to look about them, and to get<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> -familiar with the building before the services should -begin.</p> - -<p>“Walk about freely,” he continued, “until the trumpets -cease summoning; then return and occupy the seats -yonder (he pointed). They are reserved for visitors in -accord with us. Meanwhile I have to meet the elders.”</p> - -<p>He bowed himself away; and they began to look -about them. But few people had yet come in. It was -the largest and finest synagogue in the world. Just before -them, abutting on the east side of the building, was a low -platform surrounded by a delicate silver railing and surmounted -in part by a canopy of cloth of gold. Under -this was an ornate seat curiously wrought in various -precious woods. Near the front of the platform stood -an equally elaborate reading desk, with several rolls upon -it. By the side of the platform was a door by which -Alexander had disappeared; and in front of the platform, -arranged in several semicircles, were the famous seventy -gilded chairs for the seventy elders of the synagogue. -Back of these were the seats for the families of the elders -with a narrow aisle separating the males from the females. -On the first seat to the left of this passage sat Rachel. -Behind these seats, and skirted by immense columns on -either hand, ran a broad aisle from end to end of the -synagogue. The building was so long that the signal for -the responses had to be given by a flag to the more remote -worshippers; for all were expected to join vocally in the -prayers as read at the centre, though addresses to the -people were made simultaneously at several other platforms -placed at convenient intervals. The walls were -covered with Scripture verses in both Hebrew and Greek, -beautifully done in mosaic—one wall with prayers, another<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> -with praises, a third with the Ten Commandments, -a fourth with the leading Messianic prophecies. One -mystery of the building was the pleasant illumination -without any sign of windows or sources of artificial light.</p> - -<p>While they were lingering over the Messianic inscriptions -they suddenly awoke to the fact that the synagogue -was becoming thronged and that the summoning trumpets -were about concluding their sonorous chant. So they -made their way back, as rapidly as the incoming stream of -belated worshippers (not wholly unknown in any age) -would allow, to the seats which had been shown them.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Amen</span>, sang the trumpets in long-drawn note from -their tower. <span class="smcap">Amen</span>, answered the packed multitudes on -their knees. The door at the side of the platform -opened; and the seventy elders, with Alexander and -another younger man, who strongly resembled him, at -their head, entered in long flowing robes elaborately -fringed and decorated on the breast with phylacteries -lettered in gold. The leaders ascended the platform: -the others passed on to the gilded chairs. The Alabarch -seated himself under the canopy: his companion advanced -to the lecturn, bowed his head upon it for a moment, then -placed the <i>tulith</i> on his head—and at once the service -began.</p> - -<p>Began with a doxology—spontaneous, universal, -mighty; flooding the whole temple with rhythmic billows -of uplifting sound. As the last note died away, the man -at the desk began to read from a roll that vivid picture of -the consequences to Israel of both obedience and disobedience -contained in Deut. 28th—read them sonorously -and with great distinctness, but not without something of -the artificial and professional in his tone—read them with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> -here and there a word of comment which did not always -content itself with the literal sense instead of an allegorical -and mystical one. This reading concluded, he waved -a small flag; and all the people broke out again into a -doxology—this time the entire psalm, beginning with, -“Praise ye the Lord; praise the Lord, O my soul; while -I live will I praise the Lord,” in a rapid and triumphant -march of unified sound. He then proceeded to read on -his knees, the people all kneeling, the prayer contained -in the psalm that begins with “Give ear, O shepherd of -Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock, thou that -dwellest between the cherubims shine forth;” at the conclusion -of which he waved the flag again and a universal -<span class="smcap">Amen</span> arose. This was followed by readings from the -prophets of selections commonly understood to point to -the Messiah. Again the flag waved, and the people exclaimed -as with one voice, but in a plaintive tone:</p> - -<p>“Though he tarry long he will surely come.”</p> - -<p>The reader then became a preacher. His theme was -the Messiah. He spoke of the certainty of His coming, -of the time and other circumstances of it, of the character -and functions that would belong to Him, of the way in -which He would prove Himself, and of the universal current -expectation of Him among their own people. He -showed that from the beginning of the race hints of Him -had been given—hints that gradually enlarged and brightened -as the ages rolled on, until, in the later prophets, all -veils were removed and the dimmest eye could see the -King that cometh in the name of the Lord. As to the -time—he shared the common belief of the present and -the last generation that the time was near, if not already -arrived. How could the dates of Daniel be reconciled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> -with any other view? To be sure, some allowance should -be made for round numbers: it would not do to say that -this or the next year is the time for the Coming; but -after all it is safe to say in a general way that we are living -in the times of the Christ. It ought not to surprise -them if He should come to-morrow. As to the family -from which He is to spring, the place of His birth, the -forerunner Elias He is to have, there is and can be but -one opinion. Exactly how He will prove himself to the -people it were hard to say: perhaps by a supernatural -beauty and glory of person, perhaps by a mysterious inward -voice speaking to the whole nation as it spoke to -individual prophets, perhaps only by His wonderful success -over all obstacles in becoming our Redeemer and -King.</p> - -<p>The preacher evidently did not deem it wise to be at -all specific on this last point—the conquering and kingly -character of the Messiah—in a city held by the Romans -for the Cæsars. He contented himself with glittering -generalities. He spoke ornately and enthusiastically of -the prosperity and felicity of Israel in the golden age that -was sure to come. What the Gentiles call by that name -was a poor thing compared with that which was knocking -at the doors of the Chosen People.</p> - -<p>He, however, cautioned his hearers not to allow themselves -to be impatient in their waiting for this good time. -Their faith might be tried. They must be on their guard -against pretenders. It would not be strange if the current -expectation should itself produce false Christs. It -would seem indeed as if this had already happened. At -this moment, as most of them knew, there was a man in -Judea who was making much noise with his claims, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> -whom the principal men of the nation did not feel able to -accept. When the true Messiah comes he doubtless will -commend Himself to the natural leaders of the people. -Meanwhile the people should rest quietly in their various -places and occupations.</p> - -<p>When the orator had finished, the Alabarch rose and -gave the usual invitation to approved persons to speak—immediately -adding, however, that he saw that one of -their own elders, Simeon the son of Simeon, had returned -from Jerusalem, and that whatever account he could give -of religious matters there would be acceptable.</p> - -<p>A venerable looking man rose from among the Seventy. -He brought salutations from the Sanhedrin at -Jerusalem. They had been much disturbed over the case -of Jesus of Nazareth to whom the preacher had just referred. -The multitude were disposed to listen to him; -attributing to him many signs and wonders, and asking -whether he is not the Messiah. It was not clear, however, -that he himself had put forward any such claim. His -Messiahship seemed to be merely an inference of the multitude -from his wonderful works at a time when all are -on the lookout for the Shiloh. As to the reality of these -wonderful works, the brethren of the Great Council and -the principal men generally do not seem to call it in -question. They concede that Jesus has, with a word or a -touch, cured all sorts of incurable diseases; given sight -to the blind, hearing to the deaf, wholeness to the maimed, -reason to the insane, and even life to the dead. Two of -them, Joseph of Arimathea, and Nicodemus, a cousin of -the great teacher Gamaliel, go further than this, and affirm -that no man could do such mighty works unless God -were with him. “If such deeds could not prove a Divine<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> -mission, they were at a loss to see how such a mission -could ever be proved. How was Moses authenticated?” -But the rest agree in ascribing the marvels to magic and -evil spirits; especially as there never has been known a -time when so many people seemed possessed with demons. -They say that they are compelled to resort to this explanation, -not merely by the fact that Jesus speaks so unfavorably -of the ecclesiastical authorities and of their oral -traditions, but still more by the fact that he does not -answer in origin, appearance, or aims to the Messiah. -The Messiah comes from Bethlehem, Jesus from Nazareth: -the Messiah comes from the royal family of David, -Jesus from a peasant family of no property or social -standing; the Messiah is a mighty King and Deliverer, -Jesus is plain in his appearance, associates even with -publicans and sinners, and has nothing of the warrior -and statesman about him—in fact, says that his kingdom -is not of this world. He has even been understood to -give out that his mission here is to teach and suffer rather -than to conquer and reign. Such a person differs so -widely from what they have been accustomed to expect -and from what the Sacred Books have been supposed to -promise, that the leading brethren in Judea, with the -exceptions mentioned, are unanimous in ascribing the -miracles of Jesus to the Evil One, and in trying to break -his influence with the people. Whether they will succeed -seems doubtful. But their determination to do so is very -strong and will probably lead to severe measures. He was -sorry not to be able to judge of the man from personal -observation; but Jesus at the time was in Galilee, and -could not be reached in the time at command. Besides, -it was evident that a visit of Simeon to Jesus would be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> -looked upon as a discourtesy by the chief men—so decided -have their views become, and so high runs the tide of -feeling.</p> - -<p>Such in a few words was the purport of what Simeon -said in more.</p> - -<p>The reading of the psalm beginning, “Give the king -thy judgments O God, and thy righteousness to the king’s -son;” the waving of the flag; <span class="smcap">Amen</span> and <span class="smcap">Amen</span> by the -people, as with one voice, concluded the service.</p> - -<p>The congregation rapidly disappeared through the -many doors that suddenly revealed themselves; for the -architect had thought it possible that occasion might arise -for a hasty evacuation of the premises—had also thought -it possible to have the means of egress as unnoticeable by -a stranger as were the means of light. But a few of the -elders, among whom were Alexander and the preacher, -gathered about Simeon, whose chair stood near the -daughter of Alexander. Cimon and Aleph had also lingered; -it may be with the idea of making some inquiry -of Simeon or the preacher. Seeing this, the Alabarch -beckoned them near, and, simply introducing them as -co-religionists, proceeded to say to Simeon:</p> - -<p>“I am sorry that you were not able to see and hear -Jesus for yourself.”</p> - -<p>“My desire was strong to do so: and I did my best to -get as near as possible to personal observation. I sought -reliable information from all quarters. There seemed to -be no difference of opinion, even among his greatest enemies, -as to the reality of his miracles.”</p> - -<p>“What do you understand,” inquired another elder, -“to be the general character of his teaching? How does -he treat our Sacred Writings?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p> - -<p>“With the highest honor. It is agreed on all hands -that no word has fallen from him that savors of irreverence -toward the Law and the Prophets: on the contrary, -he makes them final authorities on all matters of which -they speak; and when he rebukes the leaders of the people -it is in their name. He does not belong to the synagogue -of Malus.”</p> - -<p>“That is a great point in his favor,” said another. -“But are his own manners and morals blameless in the -view of the Law?”</p> - -<p>“I must confess that I heard nothing to the contrary—not -being able myself to see wrong in a religious -teacher eating and drinking like other people, or in his -being accessible to the lowly and sinful.”</p> - -<p>“Have not I heard you say, brother Philo,” said -Alexander to the preacher, “that the chiefs of the people -charge Jesus with blasphemy? Blasphemy can hardly -be considered a point of good behavior.”</p> - -<p>“I spake as I heard,” said Philo. “Perhaps Simeon -can tell us whether I heard correctly.”</p> - -<p>“It seems,” said Simeon, “that Jesus has sometimes -spoken of himself as the Son of God; and, in a mysterious -way, of a certain unity between himself and his heavenly -Father; and, probably, it is this lofty way of speaking of -himself which has given occasion for the charge of which -you speak.”</p> - -<p>“Do not the prophets sometimes use language equally -strong about the Christ?” asked Cimon deferentially.</p> - -<p>“For example,” said Aleph: “His name shall be -called Wonderful, counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting -Father.”</p> - -<p>“Such passages, I believe, have always been understood<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> -by many among us as declaring that the Christ will -not be a mere man, but will have something of a Divine -quality about him,” said Alexander reflectively.</p> - -<p>“Perhaps, then,” added Cimon, “it is not so much -the magnificence of the claims of Jesus that has led the -fathers at Jerusalem to view him as a blasphemer, but -rather the striking contrast between such claims and the -humble appearance and circumstances of him who makes -them, and which have already led them to decide against -him. Of course, if he is not the Christ, such lofty pretensions -are blasphemous—not otherwise.”</p> - -<p>“But it appears to me,” said another elder, Ben -Abner, whose dress was specially showy, phylacteries -specially many, and air specially haughty, “that the -humble condition of the man is itself decisive against -him. Our wise men, for generations, have understood -from the Scriptures that the Messiah would appear in -great splendor as a conqueror and king. For my part I -expect no other Messiah, want no other, will have no -other. I hope they of Jerusalem will away with the impostor.” -He spoke with flashing eyes.</p> - -<p>“So <em>I</em> think,” said half a dozen voices with emphasis -and gesture.</p> - -<p>“Possibly the friends of Jesus would say,” returned -Simeon coolly, “that great endings sometimes have small -beginnings, and that there is time enough yet for the outward -splendor. Indeed, I happen to know that this is -what some of his friends do say. But others claim, and -I must confess that this is what Jesus himself seems to -teach, that the prophets have been misunderstood; that -the kingdom and the glory and the conquests of which -they speak are spiritual and so perfectly consistent with a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> -lowly and even suffering Messiah. And for evidence they -appeal to the prophecies of Isaiah, and other Scriptures. -Perhaps our friend Philo, who believes so thoroughly in -the allegoric and spiritual meanings of our Sacred Books, -will not blame this interpretation as severely as some do.”</p> - -<p>Philo smiled at this, and said that he never intended -to spiritualize <em>away</em> the Scriptures. It would be very -hard for him to give up the brilliant hopes that had so -long been entertained as to the times of the Messiah and -what he would do for his Israel.</p> - -<p>“I should not have so much difficulty,” said Alexander, -“with the present humble condition of Jesus, and -the spiritual character of his claims, as with the apparent -fact that he was not born in Bethlehem and is not a son -of David—as the Messiah must be.”</p> - -<p>“That has been my great difficulty,” said Simeon. -“It is everywhere claimed in Judea that Jesus is a Galilean, -a Nazarene, and of parentage so humble that he is -on that account in disfavor with even the people of -Nazareth.”</p> - -<p>Aleph ventured to inquire whether some branches of -David’s line had not, in the course of centuries, sunk into -a humble condition; and whether it was not possible that -Jesus belonged to some such decayed branch—also, -whether he might not have been born in Bethlehem, -though brought up elsewhere?</p> - -<p>“I think,” said Simeon, “that we are hardly entitled -to say <i>No</i> to either of these questions of the young man. -I myself was born in Jerusalem, though brought up in -this city. The family of David is now lost among the -common people; and, though it can be recovered in our -genealogies, I never could learn that the enemies of Jesus<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> -have taken the pains to examine them with reference to -his claims. Having settled in their minds that such a -Messiah as Jesus is neither what they expected nor wanted, -they easily accepted without examination such rumors in -regard to him as agreed with their wishes and foregone -conclusion. So, at least, it seems to me.”</p> - -<p>“Can you tell us about what the age of Jesus is?” -asked Cimon.</p> - -<p>“He appears, I am told, somewhat less than forty; -perhaps he is not much more than thirty years. I took -special pains to inquire about this; partly because of an -experience of my father’s some thirty years ago, and partly -because of wide-spread rumors at that time of a remarkable -birth which had just taken place in connection with -celestial phenomena. However, the matter was kept as -close as possible from fear of Herod. My father at that -time was living in Jerusalem—a very old man and as -saintly as old. For a long while he had expressed to his -family an assurance that he should live to see the Christ. -One day he came home from the temple with a radiant face, -saying that he was now ready to depart, for he had just -seen and held in his arms an infant which an inward -Divine voice told him was the Messiah. He then lay -down, calmly closed his eyes, and departed in a peaceful -sleep. This I had from my sister, for I was in Alexandria -at the time. All this was widely known at the time, but -was spoken of by the people under their breath on account -of the jealousy and cruelty of the rulers. Now at that -time Jesus must have been an infant.”</p> - -<p>“And we happen to know,” said Aleph, looking at -Cimon, “that the name of the infant concerning whom -such remarkable things were told was Jesus—though we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> -may not at present tell how we came by the knowledge.”</p> - -<p>As Aleph said these words he could not well help -noticing three things—the cordial look that Simeon gave -him, the look of exasperation on the face of Ben Abner, -and the start made by Rachel, whose attitude of earnest -attention throughout the conversation would have been -evident enough even if her veil had not been gradually -drawn somewhat aside as she watched the speakers. -Alexander also noticed the start. Perhaps he feared a -return of yesterday’s faintness. He bent over her, and -spoke in a low tone. She shook her head.</p> - -<p>“However, we will go home,” said he, “as soon as I -have put off these vestments.”</p> - -<p>He retired to the vestry, followed by the other elders.</p> - -<p>Aleph approached the maiden and said that he had -been glad to hear from her father that her nurse continued -to mend, and expressed the hope that she herself -was none the worse for her indisposition of yesterday.</p> - -<p>“Not at all,” said she promptly; “but I was absorbingly -interested in the subject of the conversation, and -was, I confess, startled by what you said of your knowledge -of the infant Jesus. You were not then born.”</p> - -<p>“No, lady; my knowledge is altogether second-hand, -but is none the less certain for that. My friend here has -some original knowledge in the case; but both of us have, -in addition to this, sources of information that are beyond -all question.”</p> - -<p>“I very much fear,” said she with a sigh, “when I -hear Ben Abner and others, that our people will be found -treating a new prophet as they have ever treated prophets. -What do you think?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p> - -<p>“I also have my fears.”</p> - -<p>“But you also have knowledge; and if at any time it -becomes consistent for you to share your knowledge with -others none will welcome it more gladly than I. Till then -I believe in it and—in you”—and her eyes, which till then -had been unconsciously and half-wonderingly perusing -his face as she spoke, sank before his, and the lovely color -deepened on the loveliest features that the Chaldean, or -even the more experienced Greek, had ever seen.</p> - -<p>What was that? A confused sound as of struggle and -disputing voices came from the direction of the great door -on the street of Canopus. This was soon followed by the -noisy tramp on the marble pavement of what seemed in -the distance a body of soldiers. As they came nearer -they were seen to be indeed some twelve Roman soldiers -in full armor, carrying at their head a standard—the legionary -standard, consisting of a pike surmounted by a -silver eagle, on whose spread wings stood an effigy of the -emperor, with this superscription in large capitals—<span class="smcap">Deus -Tiberius Cæsar</span>.</p> - -<p>The soldiers were followed at a short distance by a -weeping, groaning, threatening crowd of Jews who had -tried, it would seem, to prevent the entrance of the party -with their desecrating symbol, and were now following -them with lamentations and execrations.</p> - -<p>As the band came near, Aleph easily recognized in the -leader of it the drunken officer whom he had disarmed on -the Nile. Almost as soon the two friends were recognized -by the Roman; and, with an oath, he at once led the way -to where they stood (they had planted themselves in -front of Rachel), although at that moment Alexander and -his elders were hastily coming forward from the vestry.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p> - -<p>“I have found you at last,” the man cried, as he disposed -his soldiers in a semicircle, “and you will not easily -escape me.”</p> - -<p>Alexander had now come up.</p> - -<p>“As the head of the community worshipping here, I -demand to know for what purpose you have come into -their sanctuary with standard and arms?”</p> - -<p>“To give you and your friends,” the officer replied -with mock solemnity, “an opportunity, which no doubt -you will gratefully accept, to pay an act of religious worship -to the great god Tiberius Cæsar—after this manner,” -and he kneeled before the standard, and, with both hands -lifted, cried, <i>Great God, I worship thee</i>.</p> - -<p>Rising, he exclaimed, “Now I have set you an example—copy -it, every one of you!”</p> - -<p>The crowd behind groaned and hissed.</p> - -<p>The officer shook his fist at them and shouted, “Be -still, you snakes and swine; your turn will come shortly. -Let your betters lead off. It is their privilege. Come, -begin, Pontifex Maximus!”—turning to Alexander.</p> - -<p>“I demand of you by what authority you make this -demand on us,” demanded the Alabarch.</p> - -<p>The Roman pointed to the image of the emperor.</p> - -<p>“Do you mean to say that an order has come from -Rome for violating the sanctuaries of the Jews, and revoking -the edicts which from the founding of the city have -guaranteed to us our own religious views and usages?”</p> - -<p>“The Roman senate has decreed Divine honors to the -emperor; and his image has been received and worshipped -in every place of worship in the city, saving the synagogues -of the Jews. Now you shall have your turn.”</p> - -<p>“That is no answer to my question. The Jews have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> -always had special privileges in this city, and one of them -is to refuse worship to every god but their own. Again I -ask, has this privilege been recalled by the emperor since -yesterday: for yesterday I received a personal letter from -him in which he promised to abate nothing from our -privileges.”</p> - -<p>The Roman made no answer, but conferred with one -of his men in a low voice. After a moment’s delay, Alexander -continued:</p> - -<p>“It is plain that you have no authority from the emperor -for this outrage. Have you for it the authority of -the governor, or of the prefect of the city? I await your -careful reply.”</p> - -<p>“We are carrying out the wishes of the representatives -of Rome in Alexandria,” said the fellow sullenly.</p> - -<p>“And <em>that</em> is no answer to my question. Are we to -understand that Avilleus Flaccus, or Urbanus Civicus, undertakes -on his own responsibility to set aside the decrees -of kings and emperors for four hundred years, those of -the reigning emperor included, and has expressly sent -you here to-day for this purpose?”</p> - -<p>“We did not come here,” said the officer with a face -that was fast becoming purple, “to be catechised.”</p> - -<p>“You came here,” said Alexander sternly, “to commit -an outrage—came as a private venture of yourself and -a few mischievous companions, and without authority -from your superiors. You deserve heavy punishment, and -I hope will get it. Now <em>begone</em> from the sanctuary which -you have profaned.”</p> - -<p>“<em>Begone!</em>” echoed the elders. “<span class="smcap">Begone!</span>” shouted -and screamed the mob from behind.</p> - -<p>“Whatever privileges you cursed Jews may have, they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> -certainly do not belong to these men”—pointing at Cimon -and Aleph. “These are no more Jews than I am. And -for aught I know the same is true of this woman. We -will see”—and he stepped toward Rachel to lift her veil.</p> - -<p>“Stand back,” said Aleph sternly, as he placed his -hand on the breast of the man and sent him staggering -back on his men.</p> - -<p>Before the man could recover himself, Alexander -interfered: “This lady is my daughter; and as for these -men, they are of our faith, and as co-religionists are entitled -to our immunities.”</p> - -<p>“And if it were not so,” said Aleph, “it may be well -for this man to know that under no conceivable circumstances -would we pay religious worship to the emperor, -though quite ready to pay the magistrates all due observance.”</p> - -<p>“We will see,” cried the Roman in a transport of fury, -as he rushed on the young man with his drawn sword. -“Down on your knees to the standard this instant, you -renegade, or by Jupiter, I will put you on your knees for -the rest of your life,” and he struck at his knees.</p> - -<p>Aleph caught the blow with his cane. Whereupon the -officer lost all self-restraint and made a rapid succession -of strokes and thrusts that sought life. But Aleph had -evidently learned the art of fence: his cane was as good -as a shield and met the sword at every point. At last, -after a desperate lunge, the sword went flying aloft; and -both Cimon and Aleph had seized its master.</p> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Expel Them!</span>” shouted Alexander to the crowd of -Jews that was now surging and roaring like a maddened -sea, “Expel them with your canes and your hands! They -have forced an entrance into our sanctuary, they have profaned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> -it with an idol, and now they have sought to stain -it with the blood of unarmed men. <span class="smcap">Expel them</span>, I say!”</p> - -<p>The mob needed no spur. They threw themselves on -the soldiers, already cowed by what had passed, and in a -moment were dragging them, disarmed and unresisting, -behind Cimon and Aleph with their prisoner. Had it -not been for the example of coolness and forbearance set -by our friends and an occasional moderating word from -them, the people might have torn their prisoners limb from -limb. As it was, the soldiers had no gentle handling. They -had little armor left on them when they reached the great -doors. They had gotten many an accidental elbowing -and tripping. Somehow people had stumbled heavily -and found it hard to recover themselves. There were -few parts of those Roman bodies which had not become -intimately acquainted with both the point and broadside -of a cane. Their captain suffered least—in fact, suffered -nothing beyond the shame and uneasiness of being held -fast in iron hands.</p> - -<p>When those hands were taken off, just outside the -great door, he suddenly drew a knife from a fold in his -sash and made a pass at Aleph. But both friends were -vigilant; and Cimon, while beating off the knife with one -hand, with the other dealt the rascal such a blow on the -head that his helmet flew off and went clattering down -the steps into the street. He followed staggering. The -people behind, seeing only the cuff and the result, cheered, -and very cheerfully followed the example supposed to be -set them. Each soldier received such a hearty cuff and -push as he went down the steps as made his descent little -less than a fall.</p> - -<p>Once down, they were not allowed to linger. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> -blood of the people was up; and they followed the soldiers -in their precipitate flight a long distance with menacing -cries and gestures, and with such missiles as they happened -to find in the street.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the friends had been called within the synagogue -by Alexander, and the great doors fastened. What -consultations took place it is not necessary to record. -There <em>were</em> consultations; and that too of a very political -and secular sort. The situation of the Jews was always -delicate. There was much reason to fear that the morning’s -disturbance would seriously embroil them with the -authorities at both Alexandria and Rome. What should -be done? If any one has light let him speak out at once—<em>though -it be Sabbath</em>.</p> - -<p>But none had scruples. The ideas of the Alexandrian -Jews of the first century were not exactly like those of -some of their ancestors in the time of the Maccabees who -refused to defend themselves against their enemies on the -Sabbath because self-defense was work, and that too of -the severest sort. The children had become wiser if not -better. They had come to believe that self-preservation -is a work of necessity, not to say of mercy; and were -ready to fight the idolaters seven days in the week if necessary -for even a less matter than self-preservation—as we -have seen. They would not consent to be martyrs till -they had tried hard to be victors. They would not be -idolaters, and they did not want to be rebels. They -wanted to preserve their religion, and also wanted to preserve -themselves. Was it possible? <i>Let us see</i>, said the -Seventy, as they resumed their gilded chairs. So the men -who did not hesitate to fight a battle on the Sabbath did -not scruple to consult on that day how to prevent the battle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> -from souring into a defeat. Were they wrong in -this?</p> - -<p>Cimon and Aleph answered in the negative. I am not -sure but that I agree with them. Doubtless a council of -war <em>may</em> be as holy as a prayer-meeting. I once knew of -one that was holier, but that began with a prayer.</p> - -<p>But a narrative is like a star—it perishes if it stops -moving. So let us proceed.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p> - -<h2>V.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE UNIVERSITY.</span></h2> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p>Ο δὲ παῖς, πάντων θηριων, ὲστὶ δυσμεταχειριστότατον.</p> - -<p class="right">—<span class="smcap">Plato</span>, <cite>Leg.</cite> vii. 14.</p> - -<p><i>Of all wild beasts, a boy is the hardest to manage.</i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></p> - -<ul> -<li>1. Breakers ahead.</li> -<li>2. Behold, the Serapeum!</li> -<li>3. Another school quite as good.</li> -<li>4. A Messianic partnership.</li> -</ul> - -</div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p> - -<h3>V.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE UNIVERSITY.</span></h3> - -<p>Early the next morning Cimon and Aleph transferred -themselves and their effects to a small khan -in the Egyptian quarter of the city. This was done for -the following reasons.</p> - -<p>The events of the Sabbath seemed to make it prudent -to withdraw from public notice as much as possible. Of -course, the son of Flaccus was a source of danger: and -then the seeming look of recognition on the face of -Malus, which both of them had noticed, was not a pleasant -feature of the situation. It was the silent lightning -on the horizon. They felt it even more important, just -then, to keep out of the sight of the Jew than it was to -keep out of the sight of the Roman. Especially after an -incident that occurred on their way back from the synagogue.</p> - -<p>As they came down the steps of the Diapleuston, they -noticed a Jew across the street, watching them. Before -they had gone far, Aleph, happening to look behind, saw -the man following, and spoke of it to Cimon. They -walked slower—at length very slowly. The man slackened -his pace to suit. They walked faster—at length -very fast. The man quickened his pace correspondingly. -It was annoying.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Let us go to meet him,” said Cimon, “and see if he -will retreat.”</p> - -<p>Accordingly they turned and, for a moment, it seemed -as if their shadow would turn too. But he thought better -of it; and only stood still, in some confusion, till they -came up.</p> - -<p>“Can we do anything for you?” inquired the Greek. -“If so we are at your service.”</p> - -<p>“I certainly owe you an apology,” stammered the -Jew. “The fact is, I was in the synagogue at the time -of the disturbance, and was so struck with the very great -likeness of this young man to one whom I saw many years -ago that I determined to wait for his coming out and to -follow him—in hope of finding where he was staying, -or at least of getting a better view. And I have gotten -it,” he added laughingly, “in a way I did not -expect, but certainly deserved. However, I will not -complain; as I now have an opportunity to thank you -both for standing up so boldly and effectually for us -to-day.”</p> - -<p>“Well,” said Cimon, good-humoredly, “since we have -now gratified your curiosity, perhaps you will not refuse -to gratify ours by telling us who you are, and whom you -suppose this young man to resemble.”</p> - -<p>“That is but fair,” returned the Jew. “I keep a -khan at the east end of this street, near the gate of Canopus, -as did my father before me. When I was a youth, -there came to our place from Judea a caravan of eastern -people, evidently of great distinction, on their way homeward -by the Red Sea route. It was in this company that -I saw a man whose appearance made such an impression -on me that if I were a painter I could put him on canvas<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> -to-day: and this young man is his double—perhaps somewhat -brightened by youth.”</p> - -<p>“I have to confess,” said Aleph with a smile, “that -I am a Chaldean; and also that all Chaldeans have a certain -likeness to one another. But you must not forget -that the imagination is a powerful faculty, especially -among us orientals, and has sometimes been known to see -things that did not exist. But you can see for yourself, -without any help from your imagination, that the peculiar -way in which this conference has come about has attracted -the notice of the street, and that the curious are beginning -to thicken about us. So now let us separate: but, as soon -as our affairs permit, we will seek you out and hear further -about the pilgrims of whom you speak.”</p> - -<p>So they parted. But the incident, especially after reflection -and conference early the next morning, determined -the friends to withdraw as fully as possible from -the Jewish and Roman quarters of the city, and to hasten -certain inquiries as to Malus.</p> - -<p>There are two kinds of prophecy—the natural and the -supernatural. The latter is a spark from the Divine foreknowledge, -granted occasionally to certain privileged persons. -That our friends had anything of this I am not -prepared to say; but they were reasonably well furnished -with such foresight as reason and experience can give; -and what they foresaw was very considerable annoyance -and even danger if they should remain at their present -quarters. So they determined to remove. This was not -valor, certainly. As certainly it was not cowardice. But -it was that good thing which we call prudence, and which -sensible people think to be almost or quite as good as heroism -itself. It was a wise precaution—the tacking of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> -ship when breakers are seen ahead, the putting on of -armor when the arrows begin to fly, the striking tent and -removing to higher ground when the morning sky is red -and lowering, and there is a sound of abundance of rain.</p> - -<p>Have I said that the strangers were in the habit of -asking each morning for Divine guidance during the -day? If not, I ought to have said it. And the habit was -no empty form. When they had risen from their knees -they seemed free from anxiety as to what might happen, -though not free from forethought and a disposition to be -very active in pursuit of their objects. Queer people, were -they not? Some would say they were very absurd as well -as queer. However this may be, it is certain that Aleph -and his friend did not stir a step that morning even in -the matter of planning, till they had sought leading from -a wisdom above their own. And what they did that -morning they may be counted on to do every morning -while we follow their fortunes. Will it be of any service -to them? Perhaps they have found in their Septuagint -several passages like this, “Commit thy way unto the -Lord and he shall direct thy paths.”</p> - -<p>Perhaps Cimon found more difficulty than his young -companion in keeping free from anxiety on account of -what had occurred. He felt a responsibility for both.</p> - -<p>“It seems unfortunate,” said he, after their devotions, -“not only that we should have been brought again into -collision with the Romans, who can do so much to hinder -at least one of our objects, but that it has come about in -such a way as to attract to us the notice of the whole -Jewish community. For, of course, yesterday’s events -will be public talk to-day, and everybody will be inquiring -and surmising about the strangers. And I am very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> -much afraid that Malus has already caught a spark that -in such a gale will set all his suspicions and craft on fire. -But as these seemingly untoward things could not well -have been avoided by us, I cannot but hope that the untowardness -is only in seeming. I have lived long enough -to know that a Divine leading can brighten seeming perils -and disasters into blessings. But it seems a reasonable -condition of Divine guidance that we try to act as prudently -as we can, from the human stand-point. And -prudence seems to require that we at once remove to the -Egyptian quarter; that you matriculate in the University, -and thus secure its immunities for yourself, as well as meet -the wishes of your father that you hear for yourself the -scholars of the west; and that I proceed without delay to -make the inquiries we need to make in regard to Malus. -These inquiries will have to be made as quietly and rapidly -as possible; for if he should take the alarm his craft and -influence are evidently such that he might seriously embarrass -our movements—if not baffle them.”</p> - -<p>And so it came to pass that the early morning found -them established in a quiet khan almost under the shadow -of the Serapeum.</p> - -<p>This does not localize them very definitely; for the -Serapeum cast a very great shadow. The temple, or -rather collection of temples, was, by all odds, the most imposing -structure in Alexandria. It was built on an elevation, -partly artificial, the ascent to which on three sides -was by broad flights of steps and successive platforms; -while on the north side the ascent began at the harbor -and advanced by a grade easy for vehicles to the great -Propylon. This was purely Egyptian. To the right and -left of it rose walls of red syenite, high and massive enough<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> -to be the walls of a city, decorated with many towers, and -inclosing the whole levelled summit of the hill with their -somewhat irregular lines. Within these, at a little distance, -and built of the same, though much finer and carefully -wrought, stone, rose the complicate structures of the -temple proper. It was a little city by itself. And, towering -above all other structures, it seemed to protect Alexandria -and defy the seas beyond.</p> - -<p>Like most Egyptian structures it was most successful -in giving to beholders the ideas of massiveness and vastness. -Yet the airiness of the situation, combined with a -mingling of the various Hellenic architectures with the -Egyptian, seemed to relieve the ponderous pile of any air -of heaviness. For Pharaohs and Ptolemies, Mother Isis -and her vagrant daughters Doris and Ione and Cora, -were all represented in the confused mass of templed -structures designed to welcome all the classical creeds.</p> - -<p>The most striking features of the temple, to one looking -up to it from the street, were, perhaps, an enormous -canopy that seemed to overhang the whole pile of buildings -and a tower by its side that rose still higher. This -tower was the famous observatory where Eratosthenes and -Hipparchus had made their observations; and in the -spacious halls at its base was deposited the greater part of -the then existing Alexandrian library—consisting of some -200,000 works collected by the Ptolemies, together with -300,000 parchments brought from Pergamos by Mark -Antony for Cleopatra.</p> - -<p>The Serapeum was under Egyptian control, but was -greatly revered by devout Greeks and Romans as well as -by Egyptians. Each nation regarded the god to whom -the temple was dedicated and whose statue of mingled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> -marble and silver and gold was there enshrined, as being -the chief of all its gods—the Egyptians calling it Osiris, -the Greeks Zeus, and the Romans Jupiter. For some -reason, of late years, this statue had been kept in a dark -room, and was seldom, if ever, shown to the people at -large. They worshipped without the presence of any visible -symbol of deity. The priests were numerous and of -the highest rank. The chief of all was primate of all -Egypt.</p> - -<p>To its religious character the Serapeum added that of -an institution of learning. Its priests had among their -own people the reputation for wisdom which belonged to -the ancient Egyptian priesthood among all nations—and -not without reason. Their priestly duties being light, -they spent much time in studying the sciences and philosophies -as then known, and in training young priests to -the same. In addition, the more eminent among them -taught on certain topics in the Alexandrian School. They -were recognized by the Ptolemies, and afterward by the -emperors, as in all respects peers of the teachers located -at the Museum.</p> - -<p>Indeed, among people religiously inclined their standing -was altogether superior to that of the secular professors. -They were far more sober and practical in their -teachings. They more boldly recognized religion and -taught on lines parallel with it. They had stricter notions -of what could properly be called science and philosophy. -A few facts blown up into prettily colored bubbles, -and then tossed into the air on exhibition, and then collapsing, -and then succeeded by another output of pretty -emptinesses, and this by another, and so on—such were the -substance and history of the better part of the ever-changing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> -teaching of the Museum. The worse part had no -foundation in facts at all. In fact, facts were scorned. -They were vulgar. The lofty name of wisdom should be -given only to great general intuitions and the logical deductions -from them. And as the teachers were by no -means careful in either their premises or their processes, -their conclusions were apt to be worthless when they were -not pernicious. In short, the Museum was the child of -Athens and the mother of Germany.</p> - -<p>Accordingly, many of the noblest families in the neighboring -countries turned their faces toward the Serapeum. -They were disgusted at the laborious trifling. They were -alarmed at the decay of faith. If their sons could not -have something that deserved to be called knowledge, and -knowledge without impiety and all the terrors, they did -not want them to have it at all. But if they could have it -thoroughly leavened with religious ideas—why, they would -welcome it, be very glad of it, pour out for it their shekels -or sestertii or staters freely. Such people found what -they wanted in the priest-teachers of the Serapeum; and -said to themselves that if religion is the supreme wisdom -then are the ministers of religion the supreme professors.</p> - -<p>All this Cimon recalled and spoke of when he found -himself in the neighborhood of the temple. And he proposed -that Aleph should matriculate there instead of at -the Museum—as being the nearer and more conservative -branch of the University, as well as more remote from -the Roman headquarters.</p> - -<p>“I do not think,” said he, “that you will need to -confine yourself very closely to the routine of lectures. -Many of the more advanced students do not. You are -already familiar through me with the main subjects discussed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> -in both the Athenian and Alexandrian Schools: -and I do not imagine that you will hear much that is -new; only you will hear the old said in a new way, with -new illustrations and personal modifications, which is not -without its advantage to a young man. And you will -have what, perhaps, is a still greater advantage, that of -mingling with and studying the leading young men of -the West. As to the present preliminaries for admission -to the School, you had better apply to Seti for information.”</p> - -<p>“And why not ask his advice, also,” said Aleph, “as -to how you had better proceed in the affair of Malus? It -would be a safe thing to do. The priest is not in love -with the trader.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps,” returned the Greek, “this is the best -thing to be done. Still I feel reluctant to do it—at least -till I have proved it necessary. It is a good rule not to -call on others to help you till you have tried to help yourself. -We must spare our friends as much as possible. -And I do not see that any harm can be done by my going -directly to the custom house and inquiring on what terms -abstracts from the records can be made, or by my going -to leading dealers and asking how the prices of certain -goods have ruled in Alexandria for a term of years. Let -me cautiously feel my way about to-day by myself: by the -evening I shall be better able to see whether we need to -call in help from outside.”</p> - -<p>As soon as Cimon had gone, Aleph inquired of the -landlord at what part of the temple he should present -himself. Climbing successive flights of steps that began -almost at the khan, he came to the broad carriage-way of -which we have spoken. As yet very few people could be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> -seen upon it—none who seemed moving to the temple. -This led him to think that very likely he was yet too early -for the temple habits, and had better linger a little before -seeking admittance. So he sat down on one of the stone -seats, placed at intervals by the wayside for the convenience -of the weary and the idle, and proceeded to study at -his leisure the stately façade of the temple. While thus -engaged he heard voices just back of the wall against -which he was leaning.</p> - -<p>A voice laughed heartily.</p> - -<p>“Have you been at your cups so early” said another -voice testily. “I should have thought that these leeks -and onions would set you to crying. That is what they -do to me.”</p> - -<p>“I couldn’t cry if I were up to my eyes in the onions -of Nauticratis,” said the other. “Oh, it was such a capital -thing! Why, the very gods themselves must be shaking -with laughter—at least our Egyptian gods.”</p> - -<p>“Who ever heard of an Egyptian god laughing? Our -deities never did that in the best days of the country. -They who were as grim as fate when Thebes was in its -glory are not likely to smile now when Thebes is dead, -and a Roman garrison is in Alexandria, and a Roman -Governor in the palace of Seti.”</p> - -<p>“That is just it—now you are coming to the point!” -cried the other; “it is just <em>because</em> there is a Roman -garrison in Alexandria and a Roman Proprætor in the -ancestral palace of Seti that our gods, calm and grave as -they generally are, must have had a merry time of it -yesterday.”</p> - -<p>“There, take that, you provoking Sphinx!” (and -Aleph heard something strike against the wall). “If you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> -do not expound your riddle right away it will be, not two -onions that your empty head will get, but a whole basket -of them.”</p> - -<p>“Do you pretend to say that you have not heard what -took place yesterday at the Diapleuston? Why, the -whole city is ringing with it—at least the Jewish Quarter. -The Roman Quarter will be silent enough, I warrant.”</p> - -<p>“Have heard nothing. Was in Canopus yesterday—came -back before people were stirring this morning. -What is it? Out with it, man!”</p> - -<p>“An you be a true son of Egypt, now open your ears -and mouth! Yesterday the Governor took a hundred -soldiers and tried to make the Jews at the Diapleuston -worship an image of the emperor. A magnificent young -man in shining armor suddenly appeared on the scene, -disarmed Flaccus, and encouraged the Jews to give the -whole party a good drubbing. Which they did. The -Romans were pommelled within an inch of their lives, -then tumbled headlong into the street, and then chased -on a full run quite to Bruchium. Gods! what a treat to -see Flaccus run! I would have given ten years of my -life to see it. And now it is said that Alexander, the -favorite banker of the emperor, and heavier with him -than all the pyramids put together, has just written to -the governor demanding an apology for his behavior; and -threatening to report him to the emperor.”</p> - -<p>“Give us your fist, old fellow! Here goes my cap—to -the moon, for aught I care. This <em>is</em> good news, capital -news, news fit for the gods, news—almost too good to be -true! But it <em>ought</em> to be true, and so true it must be. -Let the gods laugh till the skies crack. To see the -Romans soundly thrashed and running away with their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> -tails between their legs must have been a treat for heaven -and earth. I could give that young man a chaplet—who -is he?”</p> - -<p>“Just what everybody is asking.”</p> - -<p>“And just what, in my opinion, nobody will ever find -out; for he must have been at once rapturously spirited -off by the celestials to their own country for the good -service done us. Perhaps he was a celestial to begin with.”</p> - -<p>“That reminds me that I did hear some Jews debating -whether he might not be the Wonderful Deliverer -whom they are expecting.”</p> - -<p>Was there any danger that Aleph would be unduly -exalted in his own estimation by such a very complimentary -account of himself? Perhaps he was saved from this -peril by the several large exaggerations of the story. What -more natural than for him to say, “And I, too, am an -exaggeration!”</p> - -<p>At any rate, he wasted no time in arguing the matter; -for he now noticed that the postern at the side of the -great gate was being opened to a comer. So he rose, -advanced leisurely to the postern, and plied the knocker -which hung from a small window above. The door -opened. He told the porter that he wished to see the -priest Seti.</p> - -<p>“I suppose you mean the <em>high</em>-priest Seti!” said the -man with dignity.</p> - -<p>“Very possibly,” said Aleph. “Is there here more -than one priest of that name?”</p> - -<p>“I know of no other.”</p> - -<p>“Then I wish to see the <em>high</em>-priest Seti. Please have -him informed that Aleph the Chaldean wishes to see -him.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span></p> - -<p>The porter glanced outside, as if to see whether there -was any fine equipage, with servants, before the great -gateway: then said:</p> - -<p>“You probably will not be able to see him this -morning. I doubt if he would see the prefect of the -city.”</p> - -<p>“But I am <em>not</em> the prefect—as you have just seen. I -am a visitor more likely to be acceptable to the high-priest: -for I come by his express invitation. So I will -enter and stay in the hall till an answer comes to my -message”—and he advanced on the man with so decisive -and commanding an air that he gave way and admitted -him.</p> - -<p>“Now if you will send my message at once, you will -do no more than your duty,” said Aleph coolly.</p> - -<p>So a servant was sent off; who after a few moments -returned and, with an air of great respect, said, “The -high-priest will see you. I will conduct you to him.” -But he was spared the trouble, for just then Seti himself -appeared, received his visitor in a way that astonished the -servants, and conducted him to his own private rooms.</p> - -<p>“You see,” said the young man with that modesty -and deference of manner that are so graceful and winning -in the young toward age and station, “that I have very -soon availed myself of your permission to call upon you. -It is the wish of my father that I should, while in Alexandria, -hear for myself the scholars of the west; though -the Greek preceptor, who has conducted my education -and whom you have seen, has already made me acquainted -in a general way with the western literature and learning -as it was taught in his youth, both here and at Athens. -And, as I am told that the Serapeum stands for a branch<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> -of the Alexandrian School, I wish to join it here; and -have come to you to learn in what way I may do so, and -become entitled to such privileges and immunities as -membership confers.”</p> - -<p>“I am glad that you propose doing this,” returned -the high-priest; “especially because I have heard from -Alexander of the events of yesterday. No doubt there is -danger abroad; but if any class among us is specially -exempt from espial and interference by the civil and military -authorities it is that of the students. So we will -have you booked without delay. Where are you now -lodged?”</p> - -<p>On hearing of the transfer to his own neighborhood, -Seti added:</p> - -<p>“That is just what I was about to propose. The -Romans have less to do with this part of the city than -with any other. Neither my son nor myself anticipate -any trouble from the authorities on account of what occurred -yesterday. They probably will disavow all connection -with it, on account of my son’s influence at Rome. -At the same time they, no doubt, are in full sympathy -with the rascals and will let them off without punishment, -if not with secret commendation. This everybody is sure -of—I mean everybody who knows that the leader in the -affair was the son of Flaccus. Your chief danger will be -from that reprobate. After the lessons he has had he is -not likely to attack you in front; but you will need to be -on your guard against all mean and dishonorable ways of -attack. He is the greatest scoundrel in Alexandria—after -his father and Malus, who have all his vices and hypocrisy -in addition. But come, let us lose no time in matriculating.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> - -<p>Seti then led the way to a large hall with a platform -and seats.</p> - -<p>“This,” said he, “is our chief lecture-room; and here -some of the professors who live and lecture at the Museum -come at stated times to repeat their lectures. This door -opens into the tower from the top of which our astronomers -observe the stars; and sometimes other things nearer -home, as, for example, the flight and pursuit yesterday -along the street of Canopus. The doors on the other -three sides open into the library with its 500,000 different -works on papyrus and parchment. Let us pass -into it.”</p> - -<p>Aleph now found himself in a room, or rather a suite -of rooms, lighted wholly from above, whose sides were -shining with the copper cylinders which contained the -literary treasures of many lands and centuries. What -would our modern bibliopoles not give for the same privilege? -At central tables and in recesses were scholars -poring over open rolls—also professional scribes copying -manuscripts with careful exactness and a beauty of result -wonderful to see. Seti led his companion freely within -the bronze railing that fenced the collection from the -general public; taking down and exhibiting some notably -rare or beautiful rolls—among others the entire works of -Berosus and Manetho and Sanconiathon, of which, unfortunately, -we now have only a few fragments.</p> - -<p>At length they stopped before a small open office, -within which sat a uniformed official. He rose respectfully. -Seti asked for the University register.</p> - -<p>“Write your name, as you wish it to be known, here,” -he said, pointing to a page, “and then pay to this man -as initiation fee one gold <i>stater</i>. Then when I have written<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> -my name as sponsor over against yours on the opposite -page, you will be a member of the University and entitled -to wear its badge conspicuously on your tunic—also, whenever -you please, the University toga. But this latter is -usually reserved for special occasions, and can be procured -at your leisure.”</p> - -<p>Aleph followed directions and received a large gold -badge, which he was told was only one <i>stater</i> additional. -Seti himself fastened it conspicuously on the tunic of the -new student. He also received from the registrar a syllabus -of the lectures for many weeks at both the Serapeum -and Museum. Glancing it over he noticed that Seti was -one of the lecturers and Philo another—the one on history -and ethical philosophy, the other on Plato and comparative -religions.</p> - -<p>“Now,” said Seti, as they were returning through the -lecture room, “I have hurried you through these formalities -for two reasons—one of which is that I wish you to -have as soon as possible the benefit of being a recognized -member of our University. The other reason is that I -wish to get you to do me a favor. Just before you came -I had a message from Rachel, my granddaughter, that -the Greek leech, who is employed for her nurse, has gone -back to his old treatment and that the woman is again -rapidly sinking. It seems that the husband not merely -supports the leech in his course, but absolutely requires it -of him. I suspect that the brute wants to get rid of her. -Now, I have an important engagement this morning, -which will prevent my going personally to look after the -case at the time she mentions—I see by this clepsydra -that the time is near—and as the matter is urgent I could -wish to have you go in my stead and deal with both the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> -husband and the leech as you may find occasion in order -to save the woman’s life. Can you do me this favor? I -think there is no lecture to-day.”</p> - -<p>“Certainly,” said Aleph, “I will do what I can, for -your treatment is that of my own country; though, I confess, -I do not at present see how I am to enforce your -wishes in case the leech and the husband should both -prove obstinate.”</p> - -<p>“That is a difficulty,” returned the Egyptian; “but -I must leave you to solve it as you best can. This will be -no disadvantage to your education. The young man who -has learned how to deal with difficult men in difficult circumstances -has graduated at a higher university than -teaches in the Serapeum and Museum. So take a lesson -in the university of human nature; and, perhaps, when I -join you, which will be as soon as my business will allow, -you can reproduce the lesson for me.”</p> - -<p>Aleph could not well help noticing the change that -had come over the manners of the porter as Seti and himself -approached the postern in close conversation. The -man had exchanged impudence for obsequiousness. He -was all deference and humbleness. His bow was so low, -as he set the postern wide open, that one might reasonably -have feared that the hinge in his back had entirely -given way in favor of a prostration. Has it not been -noticed in all ages that impudence and servility are near -of kin to each other and are never far apart?</p> - -<p>In due time Aleph presented himself at the house of -the sick woman. The same forbidding looking man who -had acted as porter before now answered to his knock, but -only opened the door a hand breadth.</p> - -<p>After waiting a moment for an invitation to enter,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> -which he did not get, the young man said, “Will you not -permit me to enter?”</p> - -<p>“What is your business?” demanded the fellow in a -surly tone, making the opening of the door still less.</p> - -<p>“A friendly one,” said Aleph. “I will explain it -more fully when I have entered and delivered to you—that -is, if you are the husband of the sick woman—some -money which I have for you.”</p> - -<p>The word money seemed to throw a shade of uncertainty -into the man’s face. At length he said: “I am -her husband. Why cannot you deliver the money to me -here?”</p> - -<p>“Of course I can,” said Aleph. “The only difficulty -lies in my disposition. The gold is in my pouch, my arm -is long enough to reach it, and your hand is near enough -to take it: but you see, man, it does not suit my humor -to give gold to a man who is rude enough to shut his door -in my face. I hardly think you yourself would be liberal -under like circumstances—would you?”</p> - -<p>“My wife is very sick—it may be dying. Your coming -in will disturb her.”</p> - -<p>“Dying people are not apt to be disturbed by a step -and voice as light as mine will be. Besides, if the woman -is dying you will need the gold all the more. Death and -burial in Alexandria must be expensive. I suppose there -are some people here who cannot afford to die.”</p> - -<p>“Well,” said the man, slowly and after a pause, “you -can come in; but I cannot let you remain but a few moments.”</p> - -<p>Aleph promptly stepped in as the door opened; and, -while the man was closing and fastening it, made his way -to the room he had before visited. As before, the air was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> -close and almost stifling. As before, the woman lay on -the bed, in about the same death-like state. And, as before, -Rachel sat behind her, supporting her head and caressing -it with her hand—her own face a picture of lovely -distress. A man at a table was, apparently, preparing -some medicines. He was not a bad looking man, save as -a certain pretentious and stubborn look is a bad one on a -face somewhat stony and unsympathetic. One would say -that his sympathy with his patients would not be likely to -interfere with his health or his meals. His whole bearing -seemed to say, “I am a leech, and I understand my business;” -and yet his dress was too poor to suggest the idea -of a prosperous business. All this the observant eye of -the young man took in at a glance.</p> - -<p>Rachel looked up. A look of glad recognition sprang -into every feature, but especially into her welcoming eyes. -They smiled on him through tears. He bowed profoundly -in acknowledgment of the silent greeting; and, advancing -to her, said in a low voice, “From your grandfather.” -Facing about on the husband, who had closely followed -him, he put a piece of gold in his hand, saying as -he did so, “For the sick woman.”</p> - -<p>Then turning to the leech, he said in a courteous tone:</p> - -<p>“I think I am speaking to the physician in charge of -this patient. If so, will he allow me a few words, with -him in private? Perhaps we can step out into this little -court for a few moments”—and he at once quietly moved -to the door leading to the back court, opened it, and passed -out without looking behind him—passed to the farther -side of the inclosure, as if sure of being followed. He <em>was</em> -followed, though with some backwardness.</p> - -<p>“I wish,” said Aleph, as he turned and confronted the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> -leech, “to confer with you about this poor woman. I -come from some of her friends. Perhaps you know who -these friends are?”</p> - -<p>“Is not her husband a friend?”</p> - -<p>“He certainly ought to be. As to whether he is, I -have my doubts. At all events he is not one of the friends -of whom I speak and from whom I come. Do you know -who that young lady yonder is?”</p> - -<p>“The daughter of Alexander, the great Jewish -Banker.”</p> - -<p>“Do you know who Seti is?”</p> - -<p>“He is the Egyptian high-priest and primate.”</p> - -<p>“Well, these are the friends in whose behalf I have -come and for whom I speak. They wish to save this -woman, and believe it can be done by the treatment which -was so successful for the short time it was tried. Will -you tell me why it was discontinued?”</p> - -<p>“Because it was contrary to all the medical rules; but -mainly because the man who employs me insisted on a return -to the old treatment.”</p> - -<p>“You mean the husband of the sick woman?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Are you sure that your employer is able and disposed -to pay you for your services?”</p> - -<p>“He evidently is poor; but he says that he has rich -friends who can be depended on for all expenses. This -seems to be true; for the house has been lavishly supplied -for the last few days with every possible comfort by -some friends.”</p> - -<p>“Whom do you suppose these friends to be?”</p> - -<p>“The family of Alexander the Alabarch.”</p> - -<p>“Certainly these are friends worth having,” said Aleph<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> -with emphasis; “and no doubt they can be depended on -to meet all expenses—if they will promise as much. And -this they are ready to do, and more, provided you will -meet their wishes in certain respects.”</p> - -<p>“What do they wish?” said the leech after quite a -pause.</p> - -<p>“That you will take them for employer instead of this -vagabond; accept such compensation for your professional -services as they are accustomed to pay; and then, in the -interest of science, suspend for a little your way of treating -this case in favor of the one you have just abandoned. -We will assume all responsibilities. If the experiment -does not work well, you can return to the old treatment. -You had better have the patronage of the Alabarch and -the Egyptian primate than that of this scoundrel—for -such he is, unless his looks greatly belie him.”</p> - -<p>“I have no very high opinion of him, I confess,” said -the leech. “I have seen more tender husbands than he; -and the woman’s talk about him in her delirium is far -from complimentary. But if we change the treatment he -will be troublesome. He was very violent when he discovered -the first change.”</p> - -<p>“Did he tell you by whose authority it was made?”</p> - -<p>“He only said that a strange man had been meddling -with what did not concern him.”</p> - -<p>“Then he did not tell you that this meddler was Seti?”</p> - -<p>“Certainly not.”</p> - -<p>“Nor did the nurse?”</p> - -<p>“No—but she is mortally afraid of the man, and that -may have kept her silent.”</p> - -<p>“Nor did the young lady?”</p> - -<p>“No: but she had some difficulty in getting admission<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> -to the house, as I think you had; and it is possible that -the man would not admit her till she had promised not to -interfere, and had sent away her servants. Indeed, I -thought I overheard as much.”</p> - -<p>“No doubt the fellow will be troublesome. The only -thing to be done is to keep such a force here as will be -able to control him. As long as we are here we can do -this; but when we leave we must leave behind others who -will make our places good. I think I can arrange for -this.... Now that we have come to an understanding, -let us go in; but do you take the lead, as is fitting, in -making the changes.”</p> - -<p>When they re-entered the room they found the man -standing where they had left him—with anything but -amiability in his face.</p> - -<p>“We have agreed,” said the leech to him, “in order -to satisfy important friends, to try for a while a change -in the treatment. Sometimes the failing powers will rally -wonderfully under a complete change of conditions. At -any rate we will try it.”</p> - -<p>He at once set wide open door and casement. Then -going to the water-jug, he poured out a large cup full of -water and brought it to Aleph, who had kneeled at the -bedside and was listening again at the parched and twitching -lips of the unconscious woman. He let a few drops -fall upon them. He gently tried to part the locked teeth, -and dropped more. At last he put the cup to her mouth.</p> - -<p>“STOP!” shouted the husband, as he rushed up—his -face white with passion and a demon looking out of his -eyes—and with his clenched hand struck the cup aside, -spilling a large part of the water on the woman’s face—“<span class="smcap">Stop!</span> -I say: this woman is under my protection.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p> - -<p>In a moment, Aleph was erect and confronting him:</p> - -<p>“And <em>such</em> a protection!” he scornfully said. “Such -a protection as the thunder cloud gives to the tree it -strikes—such a protection as you have been giving her, -ever since you enticed her away from her friends under -the pretense that you were a man and not a brute. To -my eyes the very shadow that you cast, and a very black -shadow it is, is that of a wild beast of the meaner kind. -I have not listened at these white lips in vain. I know -something of your story, and expect to know more -shortly—know enough now to say that this woman wishes -no such protector. Death would be a better one. After -having made her life miserable you shall not go on to put -her to death—as you seem to wish. Now, do you understand -that we shall proceed to treat this woman as the -leech has said, and if you interfere, or make any disturbance -whatever unsuitable to a sick-room, we will find such -ways of quieting you as may be necessary—for quiet we -will have, even if we have to turn you over to the police -as a dangerous character.”</p> - -<p>Aleph said this, not loudly, but in so determined and -commanding a manner, and with such rebuking and -threatening eyes fastened on the hateful face before him, -that for a moment that face took on a shade of fear and -shame among its other shades—of which it had not a few. -But it was only for a moment. He reinforced himself, as -such fellows are apt to do, by a mighty oath and seemed -about to spring on the young man; but noting again his -watchful eye, the cane in his hand, and his whole attitude -so full of lithe and conscious power, he thought better of -it, and fell back on the fighting resources of his tongue.</p> - -<p>“This is my wife, and this is my house, at least for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> -the time being; and I will do with them as I please. Because -you are an aristocrat, and belong to the university, -and wear better clothes than I, you think you can treat -me like a dog. But a dog can bite, especially one of my -breed; and if I had as many heads as Cerberus they should -all have a bite at you. So help me all the infernals!”</p> - -<p>He flung out of the room. They heard him fiercely -unfastening the street door and then fiercely slamming it -behind him as he rushed into the street.</p> - -<p>Aleph at once followed him and secured the door. -Returning, he resumed his work at the bed as if nothing -had happened—no more color in his cheek, no more excitement -in his eye, no less steadiness in his hand as he -again held a cup of water to the woman’s lips. Her eyes -were now open and fastened on him. Perhaps the water -with which her face had been flooded had freshened her -back to consciousness. Perhaps, too, the stormy scene -that had just passed did something toward summoning -back her retreating vitality. While she drank, cup after -cup, as if it were the nectar of the immortals, she never -took her eyes, eyes that seemed full of wonder, from the -calm, compassionate, restful young face that bent over -her. She afterward said that it seemed to her the face of -some benevolent and protecting divinity.</p> - -<p>Her skin grew moist. Great beads of sweat came out -on her forehead. By degrees her eyelids drew together -and she slept—slept as sleeps the infant, or as sleeps some -still landscape after the drenching shower has passed.</p> - -<p>“What food did she ask for yesterday?” said the -leech to the nurse, who had just come in from another -room. “Make ready the same for her against she -awakes.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> - -<p>“And the lady Rachel,” said Aleph, “will excuse me -for suggesting that she ought now to relieve herself from -her burden. The woman will do quite as well if laid -quietly down.”</p> - -<p>So Rachel softly disengaged herself, and gently placed -the thin, worn, but now placid cheek on the pillow. She -then went to the casement and stood there a moment reflectively. -Then, turning to Aleph, she said:</p> - -<p>“I think I will step out into the open air, and perhaps -you will be kind enough to follow me.”</p> - -<p>Of course he followed her. Such a vision of loveliness -and grace as glided past him into the court is not apt to -summon even a philosopher in vain. I am not sure but -that he would have followed her to Britain had she asked -him, instead of to that rude bench in the farther part of -the court where she seated herself and invited him to do -the same.</p> - -<p>She said that he must not wonder that she wanted to -thank him for standing between her and insult yesterday -at the synagogue—also must not wonder that she had a -woman’s curiosity to know by what means he had managed -to gain admittance to the house, and then to carry -his point so fully with the leech. Would he explain? -So he gave a modest account of his dealings with both the -husband and the leech; and then smilingly demanded -reciprocation. The lady must not wonder that he too had -some curiosity to know something of her experience with -the same rough customers. He found that, as the leech -had surmised, she could not get admittance to the house -till she had sent back her servants and had promised not -to interfere personally with the treatment. She was very -reluctant to do both things; but she felt that she could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> -not desert her nurse at such a time. Besides, she was -expecting Seti, and encouraged herself with the hope of -his speedy arrival. However, she was almost afraid to -come within doors—the man was so rude and surly. And -she did not fail to tell what a weight was lifted from her -mind as soon as Aleph made his appearance.</p> - -<p>But what did he propose? Would not Miriam’s husband -come back and break up all that had been done? -And such a desperado! What threats! She trembled to -think what he might do. Must not Aleph be on his -guard? How sorry she was that his unselfish efforts -for others should bring him into such perils! Her lips -quivered, and she looked at him with moist, anxious -eyes.</p> - -<p>Aleph acknowledged that he thought the fellow capable -of the worst. He <em>would</em> be on his guard. At the -same time he did not think that they need fear his return. -If he should come back he must find men in the house -able to control him. So the leech and himself would -remain till the coming of Seti; who perhaps would accompany -her home and return with two strong and resolute -men to take their places. So by alternation they -must secure the patient till she could be taken elsewhere—which -he thought would be very soon. What did the -lady think of the plan?</p> - -<p>She thought favorably of it; and had no doubt but -that her father would do the same. But what trouble -and danger Aleph was taking on himself in all this!</p> - -<p>“Do I look as if troubled by it?” said the young man -cheerfully. “You see, I am here partly for educational -purposes; and I consider the opportunities which may -daily come to me for dealing wisely and helpfully with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> -men as so many valuable teachers; and, as to personal -danger, I am quite willing to pay that price for my tuition. -But pardon me, lady, when I say that you who -leave your palace for such a place as this, and submit to -bad air, and rude treatment, and risk of health for the -sake of a very humble person who can never repay you, -ought not to be surprised at my conduct. I am comparatively -selfish in my conduct. In purity of motive, I -fear that you have greatly the advantage of me. Still I -hope that you will not on that account refuse my interested -help in your disinterested work. By and by, -when my education is finished, I hope my motives will be -as unselfish as your own.” He smiled as he added, “But -I should be sorry to have you think that I am, even now, -quite without pity for suffering, and indignation at injustice -and wrong.”</p> - -<p>After a moment’s pause, during which his face resumed -the serene gravity of expression which was habitual -to it, he went on:</p> - -<p>“But, lady, besides wanting to complete my education, -I have another want in regard to which you may -perhaps help me, and so amply compensate me on commercial -principles for all I have done or may do for your -friend. I am very much interested to get accurate information -from Judea about Jesus. Any news that may -reach you about that remarkable person will be to me like -waters to a desert. Your father’s position is such that -information will naturally come to him and to you.”</p> - -<p>“I am not sure of that,” returned Rachel. “We get, -it is true, a plenty of rumors and opinions about Jesus; -but they come to us, I fear, shaped and colored by the -strong prejudices and seeming interests of the chief people<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> -of our nation, who are mostly hostile to him. These -are about the only ones with whom my father is in communication. -But now and then we meet with a man, -like Simeon, who heartily wishes to know the truth, whatever -that may be.”</p> - -<p>“Such was the impression he made on me,” said -Aleph.</p> - -<p>“Speaking of him,” said the maiden, “reminds me -of a piece of news which he brought us this morning, and -which my anxiety about Miriam had almost driven from -my mind. He said that he had just heard from a friend -whom he had engaged to make certain inquiries for him -that in the birth-registers of Bethlehem is recorded the -birth, some thirty years ago, of one Jesus, the son of -Joseph and Mary, both of whom are said to be descended -from David. He also said that the same friend reported -some additional particulars in regard to the reformer -John, who made so great a stir a short time before Jesus -became generally known, and whom many for a time took -to be the Christ.”</p> - -<p>“Pray tell me of him,” said the young man, with a -kindling face, “for I have heard absolutely nothing. And -yet the Sacred Books say that the Messiah must have a -forerunner like Elijah in character, if not in name. I -have had a difficulty here.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps, then, what I have to tell may help you as -it has helped me. Simeon learns that this man, who for -a time filled the eye of the whole people and was then put -to death by that Ahab whom we call Herod, was exceedingly -like Elijah in austerity of life and fearless denunciation -of sin, and that he distinctly forbade the people to -count him more than the forerunner of the Christ, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> -even introduced Jesus to the people as being the Christ -they were expecting. And this agrees with the reports -that reached Alexandria at the time.”</p> - -<p>“Many thanks for this information; it adds another -link to the chain of evidence I am seeking.”</p> - -<p>“So it has been with me,” said the maiden, while a -shade of deeper thoughtfulness, if not of sadness, came -over the bewildering beauty of her face as she added, -“and I begin to fear that our chain when followed to the -end will conduct us to some new and very unpopular -interpretations of the prophets.”</p> - -<p>“I have for some time been prepared for that,” said -the young man, calmly and even cheerfully. “The great -thing is to get at the truth: and I whom you have suffered -to read your face as we have talked together need -no further assurance that we think alike in this matter. -We are both young; and youth can accommodate itself -more easily than age to new views if they must come. -May Aleph, the Chaldean stranger, venture so largely as -to hope that in his search for the Messiah he may still -have the aid of one whom he knows to be the first lady in -the land in position, and whom her grandfather, who -ought to know, and whom I am far from being disposed -to contradict, pronounces the Gem of Alexandria?”</p> - -<p>“You do well to smile,” said the maiden, blushing. -“My grandfather is very poor authority on such matters. -I happen to know that Alexandrian gems are of very poor -quality and mostly fictitious. But, seriously, whatever a -Jewish maiden can properly do to help in your matter she -will gladly do, both for her own sake, and for his sake -who has been in this city, perhaps three days, and has as -many times befriended me and mine.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p> - -<p>Here a loud knock was heard at the street-door. They -at once returned to the sick-room—and Aleph went on to -answer the knock, hoping to find Seti. And Seti it proved -to be. Before conducting him to the others, Aleph briefly -and in a low voice explained the situation and received -the full approval of the Egyptian. On entering the sick-room -they found the patient awake with intelligence in -her eye, and her arm about the neck of Rachel, who had -kneeled at the bedside. The nurse was standing at a little -distance with a bowl of food.</p> - -<p>“I am afraid of Antis,” they heard murmured as they -came near.</p> - -<p>“You mean your husband?” inquired Rachel.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” feebly articulated the woman; “he is a fearful -man—a murderer. Do not leave me with him”—and -her arms clung still more closely about the fair neck as if -for protection.</p> - -<p>“He shall not trouble you more,” said Seti emphatically, -as he showed himself. “But now take some food,”—and -he beckoned the nurse forward.</p> - -<p>Supported by Rachel from behind, Miriam supped -from a spoon at intervals with apparent relish, till at -length her eyelids again crept slowly together and she -was gently laid back to her unfinished slumbers.</p> - -<p>“She will do well, but must not relapse again,” said -Seti: and turning to the leech, “Keep on as you have -begun—we will take the responsibility. I confirm all -that this young man has promised. He will, I understand, -remain with you till I can accompany the lady -home, and come back with some men to relieve him and -you. Of course, after what the sick woman has said of -her husband, we are justified in excluding him from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> -house. Do not allow him to enter under any pretense. -If he insists, threaten him with the police.”</p> - -<p>As Aleph put up the bars of the street-door behind -Rachel and her escort, he felt as if he were barring out a -sunbeam. There is nothing like a human face of the -diviner type to light up a poor and dark house. Aleph -did not realize how poor and dark that sick house was in -itself till Rachel had left it and he had again placed himself -at the bedside. Here he sat for quite a time lost in -thought till, suddenly, he became aware that Miriam was -awake and with wide eyes of placid wonder was gazing at -him. At a sign from him the nurse came forward with -more food and drink, supported her while he gently put -to her lips at intervals a little of both, and then gently -laid her down, her drooping eyes still seeking his face, to -renewed slumber. This occurred again before Seti appeared -with three strong and resolute looking men—who -being old servants of Alexander and well known to Miriam -in former days, were thought most likely to give her a -sense of security by their presence.</p> - -<p>Seti and Aleph returned to Rachotis together.</p> - -<p>They had scarcely turned away from the house before -Antis came out from a recess across the street and stole -after them—at a distance, but so as to keep them in sight. -And they were not without particular notice from others. -Two such commanding figures as to stature and bearing -were not a common sight in Alexandria; and so the men -whom they met would sometimes turn and gaze after -them. One of these did more than stop and gaze. He -followed—followed on one side of the street as Antis was -following on the other.</p> - -<p>I wonder what he meant! Was he a friend or an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> -enemy? Or was it merely idleness and curiosity that -prompted the following?</p> - -<p>These latter make a motor of considerable power; -sometimes even of fully as much power as any of our celebrated -modern motors, or those mysterious ones used in -the construction of the pyramids. And it certainly was -in daily use in Egypt among all classes at the time of our -narrative, and long before. Before the Ptolemies, before -the Pharaohs, before the Dispersion, before Tubal Cain—in -fact there is some reason to think that this motor was -invented by the first man (some say by the first woman; -but this is a base slander), and was from him handed down -to all ages and countries. How else can we account for -its omnipresence!</p> - -<p>So it is by no means incredible that the following of -Aleph just spoken of was not due to hostility. I hope it -was not. I hope it did not mean mischief. Still I confess -to some fears. Somehow I begin to feel an interest -in that young man; and if any harm should come to him -it would trouble me not a little.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p> - -<h2>VI.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE CUSTOM HOUSE.</span></h2> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p>Οὺκ οῖα βούλεται τις, αλλ’ οῖα δύναται.</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Plato</span>, <cite>Nipp. Mag.</cite> 26.</p> - -<p><i>Not what one wishes, but what he can.</i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span></p> - -<ul> -<li>1. News by the way.</li> -<li>2. A commercial catechism.</li> -<li>3. Python wide awake.</li> -<li>4. No time to be lost.</li> -</ul> - -</div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p> - -<h3>VI.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE CUSTOM HOUSE.</span></h3> - -<p>Aleph found Cimon already at the khan; and, after -giving an account of his own experiences, received -the following from his friend.</p> - -<p>Cimon went first to the khan they had just left for an -article that had been forgotten, and to learn what he -might of the ways of the neighboring custom house.</p> - -<p>He found that he was yet considerably too early for -the business hours of the chief official; and so lingered, -making inquiries of the inn-keeper about the chief traders -of the city, especially in the line of eastern goods. -Who are they? Where are their places of business? -How long have they been established? What reputations -do they bear? These questions were freely answered—with -some vagueness and reserve, however, as to the last -of them; as was to be expected from a man who speaks -about his neighbors to a stranger. Cimon found that -Malus was by far the largest and most successful dealer -in the city.</p> - -<p>“How did that happen?”</p> - -<p>“Well, you see, he has the most capital: so he has -the best goods, the cheapest, and the greatest variety; -and then his positions as harbor-master and farmer-general -of all imports from the south give him special advantages<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> -for turning trade in his own direction. As -harbor-master he is the first one to meet the owners of -goods on their arrival, and can hasten or delay the passing -through the custom house: as farmer of the duties -he has less duty to pay than his rivals, even if he makes -none of the illegal exactions with which some charge -him. However this may be, it is certain that he has -very great opportunities of befriending those who deal -with him, and <em>can</em> make it for their interest to patronize -him rather than others. People lay much stress on this. -So he has crushed out many small dealers. Still, not a -few manage to maintain themselves against him, though -they make small profits where he makes large ones. -There are yet many people who for various reasons prefer -to go elsewhere than to Nos. 110, 111, 112 Emporium -Street. We are among them”—and the man shrugged -his shoulders.</p> - -<p>Cimon took out his tablets and made some entries.</p> - -<p>While he was doing this, who should come in but the -Jew who had so curiously followed him from the synagogue! -The man was surprised, and apparently delighted, -to see Cimon. It appeared that he was a brother -of the absent landlord, and had come to bring news of -him to his family. He had left him in Judea a few days -before, and expected that he would soon be able to return. -He then turned to Cimon and inquired about his -young companion of yesterday.</p> - -<p>“That young man haunts me,” he said. “His face -meets me everywhere; if I read, his features come between -me and the papyrus; if some one enters my house -I look up to see if it is not he; if I am walking in the -street I forget my errand and look for him instead. For<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> -example, while on my way here I forgot what I was -coming for, and found myself opposite the Diapleuston -waiting for him to appear, and, had he appeared, no -doubt I should have acted as ridiculously as I did yesterday.”</p> - -<p>Cimon explained that they had seen occasion to remove -to another part of the city; but were still proposing -to seek him out and hear about the eastern pilgrims of -whom he had spoken. Perhaps he would not object to -give some particulars now—reserving to some future -time, when his young friend could be with him, a fuller -account. Could they not pass into the court and seat -themselves where they would not be exposed to interruption?</p> - -<p>The Jew readily consented: and this was the substance -of his narrative.</p> - -<p>When he was scarcely more than a boy there came to -the khan on the east of the city, then kept by his father, -a large caravan of eastern people, on their way home -from Judea. It was led by three men—all remarkable -for dignity of manner, richness of apparel, and other -signs of great distinction, if not of princely rank. Two -of them were old men; but old after the manner of -Moses. Their eyes were as bright, their forms as erect, -their steps as firm and elastic as one ever sees in the -young. But the third was comparatively young: and a -finer specimen of humanity in all respects the khan had -never seen, though it had seen, first and last, a wide -variety of people from all nations.</p> - -<p>Ah, that young man knew how to walk—how to -ride too! When he came and went, whether on foot or -on his Arabian, the servants would run to every convenient<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> -outlook to wonder at the easy grace and majesty of -his movements.</p> - -<p>On the arrival of the caravan the khan happened -to be quite without guests. The pilgrims at once took -all the vacant rooms, and remained several days in the -city—examining it fully in every direction; its temples, -palaces, harbors, markets, warehouses, manufactures, libraries, -schools. They evidently were very devout persons; -not as the idolaters are, but after the Hebrew manner. -Every morning and evening they gathered all their -servants, and read from copies of the Law and Prophets, -and prayed most reverently to the Invisible; and on the -Sabbath they went separately to the synagogues; and -when they left the city they carried away with them -many copies of the Greek Scriptures—also, it was said, a -Greek young man, well taught in all the western learning -and accomplishments, but who had lost his parents -and other near relatives, and so had few ties to detain -him here. This was what was <em>said</em>: the Jew could not -vouch for it, as he had never seen the young Greek.</p> - -<p>But these were not the most important facts about -the pilgrims. Some in the caravan spoke the Greek language -and the people of the inn used to listen with wonder -to the story that gradually came to them.</p> - -<p>For generations it had been widely understood in -parts of the East that a great king would some day appear -in Judea in whom all the families of the earth -would be blessed. But lately it was revealed to each of -the three chiefs that the birth of this king was about to -take place, and that when it had taken place the fact -would be signified to them by the appearance of a new -star-like body in the western sky, and that on seeing it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> -they should journey westward to carry the homage and -presents of the East to the new-born monarch. So they -conferred together, made ready their caravans, and -watched the heavens nightly for the promised sign.</p> - -<p>At last it came. The day had faded away into the -night, when lo, a glorious beam shot to the watchers, -and they saw a great star hanging low in the west—a star -wholly unlike the evening star, or any other star ever -seen in that quarter of the sky. The signal was -promptly and joyfully obeyed. Meeting at a place before -agreed upon, the chiefs joined caravans and proceeded -toward Judea—the star appearing and going before -them whenever their journey needed special guidance. -So at last they came to Bethlehem, where the -meteor sank low and blazed over the house where a young -child was. Then they knew that they had found the -King; though it was in no palace, but in a very humble -home bare of all but the barest necessaries.</p> - -<p>Was it a beautiful child? Even as Moses, exceeding -fair. Was he afraid of the bearded men as they kneeled -before him and presented their gold and frankincense -and myrrh? Not at all. There were the dawnings of a -kingly repose and welcome in his eyes as he fearlessly -stretched out his little hand and laid it on the thin white -hairs and on the dense brown locks that were successively -bowed low before him.</p> - -<p>And then they heard of things even stranger than -those they had themselves experienced. For the mother -told them of angels who came to predict the Messiah -and his forerunner: and many people of Bethlehem, attracted -by the star and the stately caravan, came hastening -up and told how their shepherds had seen and heard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> -on the night of the Birth a glory of angels that shone and -sang above them like a descending heaven, and sent them -to a manger to find their long expected King.</p> - -<p>The youngest of the three chiefs was so much impressed -by the story of the shepherds that he put it into -a song which some in the caravan learned and often -chanted.</p> - -<p>“Did you hear it?” interrupted Cimon.</p> - -<p>“Yes: and our father would have us commit it to -memory. I think that even now I can recite it word for -word.”</p> - -<p>“Please do so.”</p> - -<p>The Jew, after a few moments of recollection, proceeded -to recite as follows:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">“No tongue can tell the sacred pomp,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">That swept from Heaven one day,</div> -<div class="verse">And trailed its glory past the spheres,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">To where the Infant lay—</div> -<div class="verse">Lift up your eyes in vast surprise,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Ye shepherds, on the scene,</div> -<div class="verse">And see the flaming forms that hang,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">The heavens and earth between!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Upon their heads are golden crowns,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Their robes are white as snow,</div> -<div class="verse">Soft lightnings from their faces flash</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Upon the vale below;</div> -<div class="verse">Before the glory of the Lord</div> -<div class="verse indent1">The stars turn pale and flee—</div> -<div class="verse">Oh, what a sight that gracious night</div> -<div class="verse indent1">For shepherd swains to see!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Through all the still and scented air</div> -<div class="verse indent1">There comes a deeper calm,</div> -<div class="verse">As if from fear lest it should hear</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Naught of the coming psalm:</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> -<div class="verse">And now the air grows sweeter still;</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Slow beat the balmy wings;</div> -<div class="verse">Clear o’er the mute and raptured earth</div> -<div class="verse indent1">The choir of angels sings.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Sings praises in the highest song</div> -<div class="verse indent1">That highest Heaven can raise;</div> -<div class="verse">Sings praises to the highest king</div> -<div class="verse indent1">That hears the voice of praise;</div> -<div class="verse">To Him who to the earth descends</div> -<div class="verse indent1">In pity and in love,</div> -<div class="verse">And o’er its warring tribes extends</div> -<div class="verse indent1">The white wings of the dove.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">And far across Judean hills,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Swell out the storms of praise—</div> -<div class="verse">I would that tempests such as this</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Might gladden all my days!</div> -<div class="verse">For lo, ’tis Paradise to hear</div> -<div class="verse indent1">The glory of that sound,</div> -<div class="verse">That swells so grandly to the skies,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">So humbly seeks the ground.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Full many an age will vanish,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Full many songs be given,</div> -<div class="verse">But ne’er again such wondrous strain</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Will shake the arch of Heaven;</div> -<div class="verse">And yet each year our hearts will see</div> -<div class="verse indent1">A glory on the wing,</div> -<div class="verse">And still each year our hearts will hear</div> -<div class="verse indent1">That winged glory sing.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">And ever as we give our gifts,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">And deck our homes with green,</div> -<div class="verse">Our souls will kindle in the blaze</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Of that strange midnight scene,</div> -<div class="verse">And sing His praise in joyful lays,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">By whom the Child was given,</div> -<div class="verse">Whose advent here sent mighty cheer</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Through all the choirs of Heaven.”</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span></p> - -<p>There were tremblings on the tongue of the Jew as -he closed his low chant, and tears in the eyes of the -Greek; but the latter said nothing for a few moments, -and then merely asked that the narrative might proceed. -So the Jew resumed.</p> - -<p>The chiefs would willingly have lingered long in -Bethlehem; but the same Divine Word that had brought -them almost immediately sent them away. The next -night the message came, “Let them return—and return -by another way.” So they returned by way of Egypt and -the Red Sea.</p> - -<p>Shortly after the pilgrims had left Alexandria, news -came that Herod, in a fit of jealousy, had massacred all -the male children in Bethlehem under two years of age. -It was like him. Everybody believed the story. But -could it be that the Messiah of whose triumphs and reign -so many prophets, in so many ways, had spoken, had -perished in his infancy? Could the promises of God be -broken by the cruelty of man? Was Herod strong -enough to defeat the Almighty?</p> - -<p>The khan had hardly begun to ask these questions -before there appeared at its gate a man leading an ass, on -which was seated a young woman who carried in her -arms a little boy. The mother was interesting—the boy -was wonderful. Never had the landlord seen such a -child. It was not merely that he was comely in the -highest degree—it was the mystery of expression in his -face. As one looked on it nothing seemed too good or -great to be believed of him. His body seemed a thin veil -through which flashes of inexhaustible treasures of wisdom -and goodness and power were continually struggling. -You who have seen a light shining through thin<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> -alabaster—you who have seen a gem in whose heart rainbows -seemed imprisoned—you who have seen a soft, -white cloud around whose edges have crept suggestions -of an intolerable glory within and behind, can have some -idea of how that wonderful Child impressed the people of -the khan. By degrees they learned that the family had -come from Bethlehem, that fear of Herod was the cause -of their leaving, that the eastern princes had been under -their roof—at last, when confidence was full-grown and -all reserve thrown away, that they had among them the -very Star-Child to which the journeying East had -brought its loyal homage and tribute.</p> - -<p>It was strange to see the mixture of tenderness and -awe with which the mother dealt with her son—strange -to see the mixture of weakness and power, of humbleness -and superiority, of dependence and independence with -which the son dealt with his mother. At one moment it -seemed as if she was acting the part of a Providence to -him; at another as if he was acting the part of a Providence -to her.</p> - -<p>The house was a different house from the time that -Jesus (for such was his name) entered it. A new element -had come into its air; a new light seemed to rest -on every object; never had its inmates found it so easy -to pray and lead a good life. It was as if a new life had -silently come under their own; and, like a broad wave, -was lifting it heavenward. The eyes of Jesus, from their -fathomless depths, seemed to invite to all that was holy -and to forbid all that was sinful.</p> - -<p>But even Alexandria was too near Herod. So, after -the sacred family had well rested from their journey, -they went still farther south. It was a sad day for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> -khan when they went away. The host would take nothing -in the way of compensation—save a smile from the -young mother and a touch from the child for each child -of his. How that touch thrilled them through and -through as with some mysterious healing! They think -they can feel it to-day.</p> - -<p>The khan kept its secret. After a while news -came that the Holy Family went as far as Mantaréëh, -and remained there till the death of Herod, when they -returned to their own country. After that, ears were -kept wide-open toward Judea; for it could not be -thought that such a beginning would end in nothing—that -man and circumstance would be allowed to defeat -God.</p> - -<p>But the waiting was long. Ten years passed, -twenty years, almost thirty, and yet no further news -came of Jesus. The khan was sorely puzzled. It knew -not what to think. Yet it still clung to faith and hope. -At last it began to hear vaguely of strange excitements -and movements in Judea. The eyes and ears of the -whole family turned in that direction as never before. -And soon they learned that a great reformer had burst -suddenly on the people from the wilderness—austere, -fearless, mighty of speech, smiting the sins of high and -low with the sword of his mouth, baptizing, followed by -immense crowds, who inquired, Is not this the Christ?</p> - -<p>And this, too, was the question that was asked at -the gate of Canopus. But they reflected that, according -to the prophets, Christ must have a forerunner of just -this Elijah-like character; and so they were prepared to -hear, as they soon did, that the reformer’s name was -John the son of Zacharias, and that he distinctly told<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> -the people that he was not the Christ, only his forerunner. -Then came rumors of Another; at first low-voiced -and vague, then more distinct and emphatic—that John -had introduced him to the people as the Greater One for -whom he had been preparing the way; then that John -himself had been slain by Herod; then that the new -prophet whose name was Jesus was drawing the multitudes -after him by a sublime teaching and a course of -miracles such as had not been seen since the days of -Moses, if ever. Of course the Alexandrian friends then -felt sure that they had recovered the long lost Child. -The king of whom they had heard from the Chaldean -sages, whose star had conducted that most memorable of -all pilgrimages, and whose sublime childhood they had -been permitted to look in upon, as by a window into -heaven, was now being manifested to the nation at large. -And though he had not come in the way the nation at -large was expecting—was appearing as a king of wisdom -and mercies, instead of as a king of battles and conquests—they -felt sure that at last the Messiah had come to his -own; and that, beyond all doubt, Jesus was he. In the -joy of this great conviction the father died.</p> - -<p>Such, in substance, though not in words, was the narrative -of the Jew. As he proceeded in it he gradually -came to speak with profound emotion. He ended with a -voice that trembled and eyes that wept. Cimon was -hardly less moved. They sat for a few moments in silence. -Then Cimon said:</p> - -<p>“This has been the fairest of mornings to me. -Though a Greek by birth, I am a Hebrew in faith and -expectations; and never did David so long for the waters -of Bethlehem as I have longed for news of that Son of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> -David and of Bethlehem, your Messiah. I say <em>your</em> Messiah; -but I have reason to think that he is mine also; -even to think that he belongs to all nations. Sometimes, -perhaps, when my young friend is with me I will explain -further. But I may now say that, from what you have -just told me, and from what I knew before, I am satisfied -that the Christ has at last come and that Jesus is he. -God be praised! Some difficulties still remain, and perhaps -will always remain. Hard questions, questions that -I cannot answer, stare at me out of the night. And yet, -God be praised! The King has at last come.”</p> - -<p>The Jew grasped the hand of the Greek and murmured -<i>Brother</i>.</p> - -<p>“Let me tell you another thing,” the Jew added, -after a moment. “I have <em>seen</em> him. Yes, I have seen -Jesus and recognized in the full-grown man the unutterable -something that spoke so powerfully to us in the -child.”</p> - -<p>“When and where?” demanded the other.</p> - -<p>“Not in dreams, though I scarcely dream of anything -else, but with these bodily eyes. You see that, as news -of the wonderful doings in Judea thickened upon us, I -became too restless to remain quietly here while the -world was being shaken only a few days’ journey away. -My brother, who long before the death of our father had -taken this khan, felt very much as I did; and so we -agreed to go together and see for ourselves, instead of -having the facts filtered to us through the imaginations -and prejudices, it may be, of other people. Accordingly -we went; and not only recognized him, as I have said, -but were at once recognized by him and called by our -names. None of our acquaintances were about him, we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> -knew not a soul in Capernaum, and yet, as soon as he -saw us, he said ‘Shaphan and Nathan, sons of Reuben, -welcome.’.... We were with him several days and -heard him teach the people as surely people were never -before taught. <em>We</em> said, as did his other hearers, <i>Never -man spake like this man</i>. And then the things that he -did! Oh, it was good and yet awful to be there! How -mightily and easily he did things which God alone can -do! We saw lepers white as snow turned into sound -men at his simple word: also one man who had lost a -hand had it instantaneously restored in our presence. In -passing through the country we met many who testified -that they had been cured by him of the worst forms of -disease in their last stages—cured in a moment, and -without the use of any natural means whatever. Indeed, -the land is full of such cases, so that not even the worst -enemies of Jesus pretend to doubt his miraculous -powers.”</p> - -<p>“Tell me of the man whose hand was restored,” said -Cimon.</p> - -<p>“A company of us were passing through a street when -some blind men met us and cried to Jesus for help. We -halted just before a butcher’s stall where a man was dividing -some meat with a cleaver. Another man and myself -were pressed by the crowd close to the block where -the work was being done. In his anxiety to see Jesus -deal with the blind men, my neighbor laid his hand on -the block suddenly, for the purpose of raising himself -somewhat to get a better view, when the cleaver descended -and struck off his entire hand. The blood -spouted. A great outcry was made, and Jesus came up. -He calmly said to the maimed man as he held up the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> -bleeding stump, <i>Be whole</i>: and at once I saw a new hand -occupying the place of the old. The whole crowd, as -well as myself, carefully inspected the substitute and -compared it with the original hand that still lay on the -block.”</p> - -<p>“Missing limbs are not suddenly reproduced by -human art,” said Cimon.</p> - -<p>“I am tempted to mention another matter more personal -to myself,” continued Shaphan. “I have already -said that Jesus called us by our names. We found the -next day that he knew more about us than our names. -As my brother and myself were sitting by the wayside, -Jesus came to us and said:</p> - -<p>“‘You are troubled. When you reach home look -again for the missing document and you will find it.’</p> - -<p>“And truly we were in trouble. When we were children -our father was in partnership with a young man. -But this young man gradually drew off into other business, -and at length sold his interest in the khan to my -father, who paid him for it in full and took from him a -paper acknowledging the fact. In process of time this -paper was lost. Of late this loss has somehow come to -the knowledge of the man, and he now claims that he -has never received payment, and demands both the principal -and the interest on it for more than thirty years. -To pay this sum would ruin us. We had been again and -again to our oppressor to ask for mercy. But in vain. -So we <em>were</em> in deep waters when Jesus put out his hand -and drew us out. For since my return I have found the -missing paper.”</p> - -<p>“Who is this oppressor?”</p> - -<p>“Malus.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Has he already begun a suit against you?”</p> - -<p>“No: but he threatens to do so within a short time, -unless payment is made.”</p> - -<p>“Can it be that he is honest, and has merely forgotten?”</p> - -<p>“He does not say that he does not <em>remember</em> having received -the money. He absolutely denies having received -it—could make oath to that effect; has a perfect recollection -of all the circumstances, and has only been prevented -from pressing his claim during all these years by -tenderness of heart.”</p> - -<p>“Have you yet told him of the discovery?”</p> - -<p>“Not yet.”</p> - -<p>“Would you be willing to withhold the news from -him for a while?”</p> - -<p>“If you wish.”</p> - -<p>“I wish you would: and perhaps we may be of service -in helping you bring this crafty and powerful rogue -to justice. But it will be a hard matter. My fear is -that the officials of the city are themselves in league with -him in some of his practices, and so will be disposed to -shelter him in all.... But this speaking of Malus reminds -me of a matter that I must now attend to.”</p> - -<p>Cimon rose. It was time to proceed to the custom -house. So, promising Shaphan to see him again as soon -as possible: also informing him more particularly where -they now lodged, in case he should have occasion to seek -them (“and,” said he, “I hope that your brother will -soon make occasion by bringing further particulars about -Jesus”), he took leave cordially.</p> - -<p>The lake frontage was, and had long been, all alive -with business. The cry of all nations was in the air.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> -In the lake itself vessels of all sorts were coming and going; -on the wharves boxes, bales, sacks were being handled -with the same dispatch and carelessness that men -now show in handling the goods of other people. Also, -the custom house itself (a long, low building extending -almost from the Gate of the Moon to the canal which -joined the lake to the northern harbors) was in full swirl -and roar, and had been for hours. But the chief official, -like people of his sort in more modern times, did not -make as early hours as his subordinates; had loitered -over the morning meal and news, though not newspaper; -and so had only just made himself comfortable in his office -when Cimon presented himself—the first visitor.</p> - -<p>The Roman looked up from his tablets on which he -had been writing; and, seeing before him a very well -dressed and dignified person, laid down his stylus and -took an attitude of attention.</p> - -<p>Cimon stated that he had waited on the chief of the -customs in behalf of an eminent trader, to make certain -inquiries which could not be so satisfactorily put to lower -officials. Would it suit his convenience to hear them?</p> - -<p>“What are they?” said the chief politely.</p> - -<p>“If my principal were to send here a lot of eastern -good (silks, shawls, rugs, jewels), what duties would he -have to pay?”</p> - -<p>The Roman took down from a shelf a framed schedule -and read from it certain figures. He looked up. -The Greek was making a memorandum.</p> - -<p>When he had finished, Cimon asked, “Can these -rates be relied on for some time to come?”</p> - -<p>“Doubtless: they have not been changed since the -times of the Ptolemies.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p> - -<p>Cimon made another entry on his tablets.</p> - -<p>“Can you give me some idea what the course of trade -has been in these eastern goods—what its annual amount, -whether subject to fluctuations, whether on the whole -increasing or decreasing?”</p> - -<p>“I cannot,” said the official. “To do this would -require much time and labor in examining the registers.”</p> - -<p>“Then you register all lots of goods that come to -you, and preserve the registers?”</p> - -<p>“Certainly. We preserve them till they become too -many for preservation.”</p> - -<p>“May I ask how long that is?”</p> - -<p>“About fifteen years. At all events, we have the registry -books for the last fifteen years.”</p> - -<p>Cimon made another entry, and then asked whether -one willing to expend the time and labor would be allowed -to examine the books, and if so on what terms.</p> - -<p>After some hesitation the official replied that the -theory was that the books should be open to the inspection -of suitable persons, but that there were practical -difficulties in the way.</p> - -<p>“For example,” said he, “the books of this year are -in constant use for record and consultation by the officers -of the custom house; the books of previous years are -often needed by them for reference; and then, of course, -an examination of the books by outside parties would -have to be made in the presence of an official, and all the -officials we now have are fully occupied with other duties -from which they cannot well be spared; and one specially -appointed would be expensive, if permissible.”</p> - -<p>Cimon said that he was ready to charge himself with -all expenses.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Roman hastened to say that even in that case an -express permit from the prefect of the city, possibly -from the Governor, might be necessary. He would make -inquiry, and, perhaps, would be able to inform him -within a day or two.</p> - -<p>The Greek bowed. Meanwhile would the chief look -over the memoranda he had made and see whether they -were correct? He passed over the tablets.</p> - -<p>The Roman looked them over carefully and pronounced -them all right.</p> - -<p>“Would the chief oblige him by writing as much on -the tablets over his own signature?”</p> - -<p>Yes—the chief would do that; and did it.</p> - -<p>Cimon bowed again and withdrew.</p> - -<p>On his way out he saw Malus entering. The two -men seemed to recognize each other at the same moment. -Instantly there flashed into the look of each something -that told the other that the encounter was not pleasant. -On the part of the Greek the flash was one that gave new -erectness to his form and new gravity to his features: on -the part of the Jew it was a flash of suspicion and alarm -that for an instant expanded his eyes and perceptibly -checked his movement. For an instant only. Then -came a new woodenness into his face, and he seemed to -retreat still further behind those small, half-closed eyes -which yet lost nothing of their watchful expression. So -on they came toward each other—the Greek unconsciously -increasing the dignity and firmness of his tread, -and keeping his eyes fixed on the approaching face as if -bent on improving to the utmost an unwelcome opportunity -for reading on that hard page whatever might be -read. So they met and passed. Cimon never looked behind<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> -him. Had he done so he would have seen Malus -standing at the door of the office just left and looking -after him.</p> - -<p>But the Greek did not need to see this. That steady -look into the face of Malus, though brief, was enough to -assure him that the suspicions of the man were all ablaze, -and that he would not rest till he had found out whatever -the custom-house chief could tell him. And probably he -would be successful in suppressing any further light from -that quarter. Cimon was thankful, however, that he -had secured as much as he had. He trusted that it -would be sufficient—perhaps it could be used to compel -more.</p> - -<p>He was now more than ever impressed with the necessity -of hastening whatever further inquiries he had to -make. It was still high day—why not proceed at once -to the dealers in eastern goods whose addresses he had -jotted down at the khan, and try to find out what had -been the selling prices of eastern goods for as many years -as possible? Why not even improve the opportunity of -Malus’ absence from his warehouse to go there and see -what would be said by the subordinates when not overlooked -by the master? As soon as the idea suggested -itself, he accepted it. He would go to Nos. 110, 111, -112 Emporium Street first of all.</p> - -<p>Accordingly, as soon as he had passed through the -Gate of the Moon, turning leftward into the Greek quarter -to lessen the chances of recognition, he proceeded -northward till he thought he might be opposite to the -warehouse of Malus, and then struck eastward into Emporium -Street again. His venture was successful. Before -him stood the establishment he was seeking. As<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> -soon as he presented himself at the door he was politely -saluted by a young man and invited to enter. What -could he do for my lord?</p> - -<p>My lord wished to be conducted to the chief man in -charge of the department of eastern goods.</p> - -<p>“Certainly, it would be done with the greatest pleasure. -Would my lord be pleased to follow?”</p> - -<p>This following took Cimon through a large part of -the establishment. He could well believe it to be the -largest warehouse in Alexandria. It was really an immense -bazaar. One could find there almost anything -that was bought and sold in the Roman world—from the -toys of infants up to the furnishings of a royal palace, -and even of a royal person. Messengers were hurrying -about, crowds were coming and going, salesmen were -crying out and displaying their goods from hundreds of -stalls. It was a tempest of assault on the pouches of visitors. -And many were evidently being captured.</p> - -<p>The department to which Cimon at last came was -specially attractive. Here, in an air through which stole -the sweetness of the Indian nard and other costly aromatics, -were piled or suspended miracles of the loom and -needle, on some of which had been expended the labors -of a life-time—veils like sea-foams, embroideries to which -the glowing oriental fancy and patient fingers had transferred -landscape and legend and history and the starry -heavens; gold and silver brocade from beyond the -Ganges; silks, tapestries, housings, rugs, shawls from -Persia and Cashmere: the whole brightened and multiplied -wonderfully by polished steel mirrors judiciously -placed. At the centre of the department was the collection -of precious stones. In a compartment whose walls<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> -were formed by suspended tapestries richly hued and pictured, -in a case whose beauty and strength seemed to -certify to the great value of its contents, lay pearls from -the Persian Gulf, emeralds from the Caucasus, diamonds -from the Oxus, turquoises from Medea, rubies from Bokhara, -and many other gems—all skillfully arranged into -a stony rainbow.</p> - -<p>As Cimon passed close to the sparkling collection, -and lingered over it for a moment as he passed, it -struck him that the sparkle of some of the brilliants was -not exactly that of genuine stones. But he might be -mistaken. Something more than a passing glance is -needed to enable even an expert to identify paste in its -better specimens. But one thing he was quite sure of -by this time, and that was that the light in the establishment -was such as to make an accurate judgment of most -of the goods very difficult to an average customer, while -such as to set them off to the best advantage.</p> - -<p>But he was now standing before the desk of the man -whom he came to see.</p> - -<p>“You have this department in charge, I believe,” -said the Greek, as he courteously saluted a Jew who was -no longer young.</p> - -<p>Receiving an affirmative bow, Cimon proceeded:</p> - -<p>“I am here in behalf of a friend who is not living in -this city, to inquire the prices at which certain goods of -the very best quality can be obtained. If you will furnish -me with a large blank bill I will specify the articled -in writing.”</p> - -<p>A large blank bill was readily handed to him, on -which he wrote a list of considerable length.</p> - -<p>“Now will you oblige me,” said he, after having<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> -carefully read over what he had written, “by setting -down opposite these several items the prices at which you -could furnish them to-day?”</p> - -<p>The man’s eyes snapped as he looked over the long -list and saw how many expensive articles it included. -When he had set down prices as requested, and had -handed back the paper to Cimon, he said:</p> - -<p>“The figures may seem to you somewhat large; but -they are for first-class goods. In fact, I have made the -prices smaller than they would be for small lots, considering -the length of your list.”</p> - -<p>Cimon examined the paper carefully.</p> - -<p>“The prices are unexpectedly large, I confess,” he -said gravely. “Have these goods risen in value lately?”</p> - -<p>“By no means. The figures I have given you are -the lowest we have made in many years.”</p> - -<p>“Then you have been in charge of this department -for a considerable time?”</p> - -<p>“For twenty years.”</p> - -<p>“Are these the bottom prices for so long a time as -that?”</p> - -<p>“Just so.”</p> - -<p>“You surprise me. Are you quite sure that there is -no mistake in this—that your memory serves you faithfully -in regard to so many years?”</p> - -<p>“Perfectly sure,” with emphasis. “You see, all the -business of this department, so far as sales are concerned, -has been in my hands for the number of years I have -mentioned; and I remember perfectly that never during -all that time have we offered or sold such goods as these -at such low figures as I have written.”</p> - -<p>“I think, then,” said Cimon, “it would be well for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> -you to add as much to this paper. Would you object to -write at the bottom, ‘These are the lowest figures at -which the above goods have been sold for the last twenty -years?’”</p> - -<p>“Not at all,” said the man—and wrote accordingly.</p> - -<p>Cimon took the paper and courteously withdrew.</p> - -<p>In very much the same manner and with like success -he dealt with several other establishments in the same -neighborhood—obtaining from each a written statement -of present prices and of how these compared, with the -prices of the years immediately preceding. The last -place he visited was that of Simeon Ben Simeon. Here, -for the first time, he saw himself recognized—Simeon -himself being present—and was received in a very cordial -way.</p> - -<p>“We certainly are under great obligations to you and -that magnificent young friend of yours for your spirited -help yesterday in the synagogue. I have been quite desirous -to meet you again: especially as I saw that both of -you were much interested in my report of matters in -Judea, and, as I ventured to think, took very much the -same view of them as I did. Also, I have something -new to tell you.”</p> - -<p>Simeon then gave the account with which we are already -familiar, as given to Aleph by Rachel. And, in -return, the Greek related what Shaphan had told him—keeping -back, however, the part that related to Malus. -And they rejoiced together.</p> - -<p>“Tell me,” said Simeon suddenly, “about that -young man—you know whom I mean. Somehow he has -a way of walking into one’s confidence and affections -after a very wonderful fashion. Who is he?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span></p> - -<p>Cimon smiled at this downrightness and furious -driving at the mark.</p> - -<p>“For the present,” said he, “he is only the friend -and pupil of Cimon the son of Cimon. I may, however, -add that he is one who is quite worthy of the impression -he makes. The gold is solid. I have now known him -for twenty years—that is to say, ever since he was born—and -I have nothing but good and great things to say -of him. Is he my son? Of course not—as one can -easily see—but though not my son he is a remarkably -good substitute for one. I could hardly have a better. -And,” he added archly, “I think seriously of adopting -him.”</p> - -<p>The Jew laughed at the cleverness of the Greek, and -forebore to press; only adding, “<em>I</em> could adopt him <em>without</em> -thinking seriously of it.”</p> - -<p>As he rose to leave, Cimon said, “I am really sorry -that I cannot at present give you the information you -wish about my young friend. But I am under bonds. -His father only can release me, and that father is far -away. So I must confine myself to saying that, unlike -most plants which begin to wither as soon as they are -parted from the parent root, this plant daily freshens -into a larger life. I am the more sorry that I cannot go -beyond this, both because you have already given me information -of the highest value, and because I came here -for the very purpose of getting still further information -from you—provided you can consistently grant it. I -wish to get from the leading dealers in eastern goods in -this city the present selling prices of a number of articles—also -how these prices compare with those of as many past -years as possible. I have already obtained written statements<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> -from all, save yourself, on whom I proposed to -call. Do you see any objection to giving me yours?”</p> - -<p>“None in the world. Let me see your list.”</p> - -<p>So in a few moments Cimon added another to his papers. -As Simeon handed it to him, he said:</p> - -<p>“I think you can hardly have called on Malus to-day, -and yet he has the largest establishment of your sort in -the city. He would hardly care to give you such a paper -as this. He is much too deep for that.”</p> - -<p>Without a word, the Greek singled out one from his -parcel of papers and passed it to the Jew—who as soon as -he had glanced it over, exclaimed:</p> - -<p>“Where was Malus when this was given?”</p> - -<p>“Absent.”</p> - -<p>“Of course. <em>Of course</em> he was absent—as his deputy -will probably be when the master learns of his indiscretion.”</p> - -<p>As Cimon had noticed no sign of recognition in -street or shop, save at Simeon’s, he had begun to feel -that perhaps his precautions had been unnecessary; so, -when he had taken leave of Simeon and saw how large a -part of the day still remained, instead of crossing directly -into the Greek quarter again and so proceeding homeward, -he turned northward on Emporium Street till he -came to the great square at the intersection with the -street of Canopus. Here, seeing a crowd that seemed -greatly interested with something in their midst, he -crossed over to them, and finally managed, by a patient -use of the impatience of others, to secure a place where -he could see what was going on.</p> - -<p>And this was what was going on. A number of -street boys, altogether Jewish, were busy practicing a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> -new game. They had drawn on the pavement with a -charred stick the ground plan of a large building which -Cimon at once recognized as the Diapleuston. Just before -him was an unmarked place for the principal door: -half way down on the left was a pile of boxes to stand for -the main <i>bema</i> with its canopy and lecturn: in front of -this stood a group of boys pretending to be in earnest -conversation among themselves. After this show had -continued for a while, all but two of the boys walked off -and squatted silently behind the boxes. The two boys -left continued the pantomime of conversation for a few -minutes, when a noise was heard and lo, another group -of boys who had been hid behind the fountain came -marching in at the door, two by two, with papyrus helmits -on their heads and long, sharpened sticks for -spears, trying to keep pace together in soldierly fashion, -and carrying in their midst, transfixed on an extra long -stick, a very ragged, dirty, and hideous doll. At the -head of this company swaggered, perhaps the best -dressed, but certainly the ugliest little rascal of the whole -lot. He had taken some pains to add to his natural accomplishments -such smutches of loveliness as a liberal -use of mud and charcoal could give, and would have -frightened his own father and mother. About his waist -was a rope for a sash: to this was attached a bit of papyrus -cut into the shape of a scabbard; in his hand he -flourished as sword a short strip of lath that had just -come from the shambles and was red enough to be the -sword of Mars.</p> - -<p>This high and mighty captain at once led his company -straight to the two boys, surrounded them, and fell -to abusing them with his tongue as only a practiced<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> -street Arab could do. On this, the other boys behind -the boxes hurried to the scene of action, and threw in a -liberal accompaniment of voice and gesture to swell the -interest of the occasion. Soon Captain Mars worked himself -into a tempest, flew at one of the two boys, with his -bloody weapon uplifted. The other boys so crowded -about the encounter with outstretched and swaying arms -as to confuse the view of the spectators; but in a few -moments they saw the mimic sword flying high in air, -and then its owner in close custody in process of being -marched helplessly toward the door, followed by his tatterdemalions -hanging their heads and staggering about -as they were pushed and pulled and cuffed by the screaming -and enthusiastic escort that hemmed them closely in. -At the door the leader was dismissed with a rousing box -on the ear which sent him off on a stagger, which finally -ended in a runaway toward the Roman quarter. His followers -each received a like compliment with a like result.</p> - -<p>The spectators seemed to enjoy this conclusion -hugely. They cheered and gesticulated with great enthusiasm; -and when the hot chase took place they all -hurried off to keep it in view. The last to follow was a -man who had been standing just before Cimon. This -man, glancing right and left as if to make sure that the -ground was clear, directed his course across the square so -as to take on his way the two boys who had personated -Cimon and Aleph, and dealt each of them in passing a -thwack on the head that was none of the mildest. At -all events, it was not a mild wailing that the little fellows -set up. Luckily, however, Cimon had noticed the movements -of the man, and half divining his purpose, had followed -him so closely that he was near enough when the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> -blows were given to follow them with prompt punishment. -The two hearty cuffs he gave the fellow were -quite equal in value to those he had administered, and -seemed very surprising. In the startled and inflamed -face that was suddenly turned toward him, Cimon recognized, -as he thought, Roman features, though considerably -disguised. Could it be that he had again encountered -the son of the Governor? But the man gave him -no opportunity for a closer examination. He went rapidly -off with a Latin oath and a fist-shaking that belonged -to all languages.</p> - -<p>Cimon consoled the children with a friendly pat on -the head and a piece of money for each—such as he had -never before possessed. But they hardly needed this -consolation—they were so delighted with the summary -judgment on their oppressor. Smiles were already rippling -over their tearful faces like sunshine over a wet -landscape. And when the friendly look and touch and -money were added, their sorrows were all forgotten in a -caper of delight. But Cimon was really sorry that the -urchins had not chosen some other theme for their sport.</p> - -<p>“Ten to one,” said he to himself, “this affair, with -liberal embellishments, will be carried straight to Bruchium, -and will still further stir up ill blood between the -sections. There will be trouble here before long. These -Jews are too reckless and provoking to be left alone. It -may be that their expectation of a conquering Messiah at -the door has something to do with their audacity.”</p> - -<p>With such thoughts as these running through his -mind, he made his way homeward through the Greek and -Egyptian quarters. His thoughts ran, but his feet -walked—walked very leisurely; for so at this hour of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> -day did most of the people; and he did not care to draw -attention to himself by doing differently from others. -Besides, he wished to study the people, as far as he could—without -being observed. And it is wonderful how -much some people can see without the appearance of seeing. -They could hardly see more if their heads were set -with a coronet of eyes. Do they divine the situation? -Do they absorb the facts lying about them at every pore -as they do heat and moisture? So it would seem. Cimon -belonged to this class of men. He did not stare, he did -not look this way and that, and sometimes turn about, -with curiosity flooding every feature and saying, “I am a -new-comer,” but he pursued his way with quiet and equal -steps and with “eyes that looked right on, and eyelids that -looked straight before him”—and yet nothing escaped -him; not even that shadow of a portly man just disappearing -within a shop on his left and that ragged little -urchin that almost immediately darted out of the same -and followed him at a little distance.</p> - -<p>What should he do? A thought came to him as he -came to a baker’s shop. He turned in and called for a -loaf and some cakes—keeping an eye on the open door -while his parcel was being made up. Presently the little -ragamuffin appeared cautiously peeping within. Cimon -held out toward him a large, tempting cake, and beckoned. -The boy came in slowly, as if resisting an irresistible -magnet.</p> - -<p>“Hungry, my lad?”</p> - -<p>The hungry eyes and pinched features of the little fellow -answered the question before his bobbing head could -say <i>Yes</i>, as it was not slow to do.</p> - -<p>“Had anything to eat to-day, my poor boy? Really,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> -I do not believe you have,” he added pityingly, as he -looked more carefully into the thin, dirty face.</p> - -<p>The face began to cry.</p> - -<p>“And you had no money to buy food with—had -you?” inquired Cimon, as he softly patted the curly head.</p> - -<p>“He said he would give me some money when I came -back,” said the boy.</p> - -<p>“<em>Who</em> said it?” asked Cimon.</p> - -<p>“The man who sent me to see where you were going.”</p> - -<p>“He did not think I was going into a baker’s shop to -get you something to eat—did he? Come, sit right down -here on this bench and eat this loaf and these cakes. -Any more hungry ones at home?”</p> - -<p>The boy at this began to sob, and at last broke into a -perfect canter of sobs. He muttered something which -Cimon had to bend low to make out.</p> - -<p>“What, poor mother and little sister! Alas, alas—how -sorry I am! But do you sit here and eat this; and -when you have finished, the baker shall give you twice as -much to carry home to your hungry mother and sister, -for here is the money. If I could help, they should never -be hungry again.”</p> - -<p>I do not know what the baker thought of this way of -treating the little beggar. But I know what the little -beggar thought. He highly approved. He soon dried -his tears in the presence of kind looks, kind words, and -kinder food. What a glorious appetite that was! And -while it was being satisfied, or at least gratified, our -friend quietly went his way—unshadowed.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> - -<h2>VII.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE MATRICULATION</span></h2> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p>Δεῖ δὲ αὺτὰς τας μηρέρας τὰ τέκνα τρέφειν.</p> - -<p class="right">—<span class="smcap">Plutarch</span>, <cite>De Lib. Educ.</cite> c. 5.</p> - -<p><i>Mothers must cherish their children.</i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span></p> - -<ul> -<li>1. An ethical lecture.</li> -<li>2. How students examine.</li> -<li>3. Is Jesus a magician?</li> -<li>4. Let Miriam testify.</li> -</ul> - -</div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p> - -<h3>VII.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE MATRICULATION.</span></h3> - -<p>Aleph was greatly interested in Cimon’s account of -his adventures—most of all in the story of Shaphan. -He determined to communicate it as soon as possible -to the daughter of Alexander. But when would it -be possible? On referring to his syllabus he found that -Seti would lecture early the next morning. He would -attend that lecture, and afterward would go to look after -the sick woman Miriam. Perhaps he would find Rachel -with her: if not he might learn when she was likely to -come, and so manage to meet her.</p> - -<p>Before the third hour the next morning, both Cimon -and Aleph found themselves in the great lecture hall of -the Serapeum. The students came in scatteringly; but -at length the room was well filled, for Seti was popular -with the young men. This was owing partly to the -splendor of his lineage and office, which always weighs -much with even the most democratic young men; partly -to his repute as the heir of the mysterious wisdom of Old -Egypt; and partly to the wonderful contrast between his -years and the unabated vigor of both his bodily and intellectual -faculties. And then this son of the Pharaohs and -supreme Egyptian pontiff was fond of young men, reasonably -tolerant of their ways, and knew how to unite<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> -familiarity with dignity in his intercourse with them. -But he was specially in favor with the dominant aristocratic -element. Some of the other teachers were new -men. Nobody knew who their fathers were. The patrician -young men from Rome and elsewhere declared that -they <em>had</em> no fathers. What had the Fabii and Claudii -and Scipios to do with such people?</p> - -<p>Cimon and Aleph had taken seats well in the rear of -the hall. So they had opportunity to notice the bearing -of the young men as they came in. On the whole they -were pleased with it. While a few had the air of triflers -and coxcombs, and here and there one had the jaded look -that suggested late hours and early dissipation, the most -had in various degrees that regulated and purposeful air -which teachers like to see. Among the more thoughtful -and earnest looking Aleph noticed one of the two Romans -whom he had met at the banker’s. He also noticed -that the ages of the students seemed to average about the -same as his own.</p> - -<p>Almost every one who entered seemed to notice the -new-comers; and soon there was considerable whispering -and passing to and fro among the young men—which -continued till Seti appeared. He stopped for a moment -to exchange salutations with our friends, and then conducted -them to a seat on the right of the bema. This -was the customary seat for newly matriculated persons: -and was greatly for the convenience of older collegians -who thus not only became promptly aware of a new arrival, -but could quietly study him up without the fatigue -and incivility of turning about in their seats for the purpose. -Of course it was at the expense of the lecture. -But never mind—there are some things more important<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> -than lectures to young people; and one of them is the -discipline of guessing out characters from faces and bearing.</p> - -<p>From the seat they now had the friends could see well -what they had not before noticed, viz., a small latticed -gallery just opposite to them from which came occasionally -some hints and glints of white draperies. Though -none of the schools of the time distinctly contemplated -the co-education of the sexes, there was nothing in public -opinion, especially at Alexandria, to hinder the daughters -of the professors and other approved ladies from -hearing the lectures given to the young men; though it -was thought best to place the beauties where they could -not be seen. The professors generally favored this invisible -presence as being conducive to good order and gentlemanly -conduct among the students. The chivalrous -instinct was not a medieval invention, nor even an invention -of Christianity. The students at the Serapeum in -the First Century knew that bright eyes were watching -them and behaved accordingly.</p> - -<p>The lecture of Seti was on the ethics of truthfulness. -It was delivered with a grave and quiet dignity and authority -well befitting his years and station, and yet with -a subtle fire and force of thought and expression that -suited wonderfully youthful tastes. He had no manuscript -before him, nor did he seem to have one within -him from which he was reading; but he seemed to find -his thoughts in the faces and eyes of his hearers as his -keen glances went to and fro among them. And the -young men felt that they were being perused.</p> - -<p>On the way home, the day before, Seti had informed -Aleph of a custom among the students. He had matriculated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> -with the <i>Faculty</i> of the University: the students -would ask him to matriculate also with themselves. -Each new-comer was not considered by them as invested -with full membership till they had examined him for -themselves and settled his grade among them as a collegian. -It was possible to avoid the ordeal, if he saw fit; -but a cheerful acceptance of it would conduce to popularity, -and, if the trial should be well sustained, would -give him a commanding influence. What would Aleph -prefer? Seti had asked with a shade of anxiety in his face.</p> - -<p>“By all means,” Aleph had said with a smile, “let -not this custom be waived on my account. I rather fancy -the double matriculation.”</p> - -<p>So he was not surprised when at the conclusion of the -lecture all the students retained their seats. He was, -however, somewhat surprised to see that Seti retained his -also. But he had no time to speculate on the matter: -for a fine looking young man at once came forward and, -courteously calling attention to the badge the stranger -wore, inquired whether he wished such further membership -and privileges among them as an examination by the -students would confer.</p> - -<p>Aleph rose and as courteously replied that such was -his wish; and that he would not on any account have any -of the usual formalities omitted.</p> - -<p>“This being so,” continued the young man, “your -full consent to our ancient custom having thus been graciously -conceded, I call on our committee for testing candidates -to come forward in proper order and discharge -their duty. I will only premise for your information -that the examination will ask two questions—first, <i>What -do you know?</i> and second, <i>What can you do?</i>”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span></p> - -<p>Whereupon two young men presented themselves, and -one of them said, “I have the honor to put the first question—<i>What -do you know?</i>”</p> - -<p>Aleph smiled.</p> - -<p>“Excuse my smiling,” said he, “at the exceeding -largeness of your question, if I attempt to answer it, I -must begin with confessing that my knowledge is very -limited. Compared with what there is to be known, it -is practically nothing; compared with what I wish to -know it is very trifling indeed; perhaps further examination -may show that it is also very trifling in comparison -with what some of my fellow-students know,” and he -bowed to the young men. A ripple of laughter went -through the room.</p> - -<p>“If you find my associate’s question,” said the other -member of the committee, “a little too large to be manageable, -perhaps you will tell us what you already know -of the various branches of knowledge preliminary to -those studied here. Doubtless you have informed yourself -as to our curriculum; it not being considered in general -a wise thing to leap into the dark.”</p> - -<p>“This question,” returned Aleph, “is not indeed as -broad as the other; but still it would be hard to give you -a satisfactory answer (I mean one satisfactory to yourself, -for this I could wish to do) unless you will tell me what -branches of knowledge <em>you</em> consider preparatory to this -Institution. I fancy there might be a difference of opinion -as to that matter—after setting aside a few elementary -things. I can read and write and speak the Greek -and Latin languages after a fashion: have such acquaintance -with the literature in these tongues as, I should -hope, would enable me to understand such references to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> -them as may occur in your lectures; have also had some -little practice in moral and mathematical reasoning, sufficient, -I should hope, for understanding a good argument -when presented. Is there any further preparation -needed? I have indeed heard (what I suppose to be true) -that a little knowledge of religion—some just and clear -ideas of Deity and duty and responsibility—is a good -thing in the way of preparation for university life. In -regard to that sort of knowledge, I can only say that if I -do not possess it the fault does not lie with my parents -or other teachers” (he slightly inclined his head toward -Cimon). “They have done their duty. But perhaps my -questioner does not lay any stress on this last sort of -knowledge as a valuable preliminary to the speculations -and associations of college life. It is even possible that -he considers it a decided disadvantage. I know that such -views are sometimes found among students.”</p> - -<p>Aleph had drawn his bow at a venture. But the -broad wave of laughter that now swept through the hall -assured him that somebody had been hit. Was it not -the questioner himself, whose color had sensibly deepened?</p> - -<p>His mate took up the broken thread. “Certainly we -did not all come here with as good a preparation as that: -but perhaps you have done more than the preparatory, -and already know considerably of the branches of study -which engage us here. Such advanced students often -come to us for various reasons.”</p> - -<p>“I cannot say,” returned Aleph, “that I am altogether -ignorant of the subjects discussed here. It has -been my good fortune to have as teacher one who in his -youth passed much time in both the Athenian and Alexandrian<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> -schools. And he has attempted, not as successfully -perhaps as he could wish, to put his own knowledge -into his pupil. What I know I owe to him and my -parents: what I do not know I owe to myself. Certainly -I do not come here because I know so much, but because -I know so little. I hope to enlarge my knowledge, such -as it is. In thirty years not a few changes must have -taken place here—new teachers have come to the front, -new ways of presenting and illustrating old truths are -used, and it is barely possible that some things then considered -branches of knowledge are now known to be -branches of ignorance. So I hope to profit. Is this satisfactory? -or would the committee like to have me explain -a syllogism, epitomize Plato or Aristotle or Zeno, -or expound the astronomy of Pythagoras?” just the -glimmer of an amused expression stealing from his eye.</p> - -<p>“Not either of these,” answered the committee. -“Doubtless you are well prepared on what you voluntarily -offer. Allow us to ask you for something which, as -it is wholly unprecedented on such occasions as this, you -can hardly have made special preparation for. We will -ask you for an epitome of the lecture to which we have -just listened. This is a compliment we owe to our venerable -teacher who, I think, has never before honored us -with his presence on a similar occasion.”</p> - -<p>Turning to Seti, Aleph expressed a hope that he -would excuse any injustice that might be done to his -lecture under such a stress of circumstances, and then -proceeded as follows:</p> - -<p>“The lecture was on the ethics of truthfulness. It -held up to abhorrence the general character of a liar and -hypocrite; and said that men must tell what seems<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> -truth to them whenever they profess to tell it. In war, -hostile forces do not profess to tell the truth to each -other, but the contrary: the very fact of war certifies to -all that feints, stratagems, deceptions of all sorts will be -used, and they are just as proper as war itself. Under -certain circumstances one can properly <em>withhold</em> truth -from his neighbor without notice given. No man is -bound to tell all he knows to all sorts of persons without -regard to how they will use the information. A glass -house would not be a good one to live in—especially -where stones and sinners are plenty. Silence is often -both the privilege and duty of a man, as well as his wisdom. -Deity himself keeps back much truth permanently -from us, and chooses his own times and ways for revealing -other truth. In the interest of justice we can properly -make inquiries which, if their object were known, -would not be answered: we can be silent on what criminals -have no right to know. In government, in business, -in social intercourse a measure of reticence is indispensable -to the wisest living, and even to righteousness. -Without notice given, one may never affirm what he -thinks to be false: he may without notice sometimes -keep back what he knows to be true. These positions -were defended by considerations drawn from natural conscience, -the general voice of mankind, the testimonies of -illustrious teachers, and the grave difficulties that would -arise were the world to accept and act upon other principles.”</p> - -<p>Aleph folded his arms and looked inquiringly at the -committee. The committee looked inquiringly at Seti.</p> - -<p>“May we ask the venerable Seti whether this is a satisfactory -account of his lecture?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span></p> - -<p>He bowed assent: and a general cheer went up from -the benches.</p> - -<p>“I perceive,” said the master of ceremonies, “that it -is the mind of our community that I pronounce the first -part of the examination well sustained. Accordingly I -so pronounce.”</p> - -<p>Another round of applause.</p> - -<p>The young man continued, addressing Aleph, “As -you have doubtless perceived, our object has been not so -much to find out how much you know as your powers of -knowing. I think we have gotten sufficient light on -that point. May we get as much on the point that still -remains to be inquired into, viz., your powers of <em>doing</em>. -Our community lay considerable stress on physical accomplishments, -and, we think, with good reason. An -efficient mind does its best in an efficient body. We but -follow the traditions of more classical times when we ask -whether you can run and ride and row, can leap and lift -and shoot and wrestle and fence—in short, protect your -mother and sisters and such maiden as the gods may give -you.”</p> - -<p>“I have had some teaching in all these matters,” replied -Aleph: “whether I have duly profited by the -teaching it does not become me to say.”</p> - -<p>“Are you willing to appear in our palæstra for a testing; -and if so, do you choose to compete with the good -or the better or the best in each department?”</p> - -<p>“I am willing to appear: and defeat would be less -mortifying to me at the hands of the best,” said Aleph -with infinite composure.</p> - -<p>“But one thing remains to be attended to here,” continued -Publius Cornelius (for this was the name of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> -young Roman who acted as master of ceremonies). “According -to our rules, when a young man has elected the -best competitors—which indeed rarely happens—it is -necessary that he stand face to face with them in our -presence, that he may fully understand what he undertakes, -and have an opportunity to recede from his choice -if he thinks best: also that we may judge whether his -choice is a reasonable one. Our best will now please -present themselves with the candidate in front of the -bema.”</p> - -<p>A number of young men rose in different parts of the -hall, and made their way to the open space before Seti. -Aleph also advanced and stood near, facing them.</p> - -<p>There was a profound silence for a few moments as -the confronting parties surveyed each other, and were -closely surveyed and compared by the rest (many standing -on their seats for the purpose). Then burst out an -almost deafening cheer.</p> - -<p>The fact was that as long as Aleph stood by himself -his extraordinary physical advantages had not fully displayed -themselves. But when he came to stand with -others everybody at once saw that in that group there -was no face so noble and winning, no figure so majestic -and exquisitely proportioned, no bearing so lofty and -poised and full of suggestion of power and leadership as -Aleph’s. So evident was all this to the “best” themselves -that they could not prevent the consciousness of it -from appearing in their uneasy faces and attitudes—especially -after that spontaneous cheer which they well understood.</p> - -<p>“Well?” inquired Cornelius, looking at Aleph.</p> - -<p>Aleph again passed his eyes naturally and serenely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> -through the group before him, resting them for an instant -on one taller and brawnier than the rest, and then -said quietly, “I adhere to my choice.”</p> - -<p>A young man started up. “Our president has stated -that we are to judge of the reasonableness of this choice. -It seems to me a very unreasonable one. The advantages -are too much on one side. Unless the gods interfere -(and somehow they are not apt to do so in these days) -there can be but one result to such an unequal competition. -It is foreordained. I therefore propose, in the interest -of our Best, that the candidate be at once passed -to his matriculation with all the honors and with no -conditions whatever. This course, it is true, is unprecedented; -but then the circumstances are unprecedented. -Those of us who know a good thing when we see it, are, -I think, quite prepared for this action.”</p> - -<p><i>Action</i>, <i>Action</i> was exclaimed from all parts of the -hall.</p> - -<p>Cornelius stepped on a bench, and looking about the -assembly called out, “Is there any objection on the part -of any to the course which Quintius Fabius proposes?”</p> - -<p>After waiting a moment for responses that did not -come, the president proceeded, “Let every one who regards -the examination as already sufficient, and would at -once admit the candidate to full membership in our body, -stretch forth his hand.”</p> - -<p>And <em>such</em> a showing of hands! They flew out and up -as if from a catapult. Some voted with two hands. -Some, not content with a simple uplifting, made their -hands shake and triumph in the air. Even the Best -voted with the rest.</p> - -<p>“Your mind is clear,” cried the president. “By<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> -your vote, and without dissent, this gentleman is now a -member in full of this university. In your name” (as he -advanced toward Aleph with outstretched hand) “I, Publius -Cornelius, offer greetings and fellowship to”—and -he hesitated.</p> - -<p>“Aleph the Chaldean,” said Aleph, as he gracefully -took the proffered hand.</p> - -<p>Seti remained sitting for a while longer, keenly -watching, as many of the young men gathered about -Aleph and were introduced to him by Cornelius. Among -these were the Best; who were at first somewhat backward -and awkward, but whom Aleph so welcomed with -frank and unpretending cordiality that they were soon -quite at ease. Seti watched and admired. He saw that -the young man had quite won those who might easily -have become his enemies—in short had fairly conquered -the position he had coveted for him.</p> - -<p>Aleph lingered till the other students had left that he -might inquire of Seti whether he had heard from Miriam -that morning. He had not; but was not sure but that -he might hear something by going to his rooms. Would -not Aleph and his friend accompany him?</p> - -<p>As they approached the apartments of the high-priest -they saw before them in the distance what seemed the -fluttering of female robes: and, as soon as Seti had -opened his door, he found himself in the arms of his -granddaughter.</p> - -<p>“Mother-father” (this was her favorite style of address), -she exclaimed, looking up fondly into his face, -“are you not very tired after such a long session? But -what a good lecture that was, and then....”</p> - -<p>“Ah, child,” he hastily interrupted as he patted her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> -cheek, “what a flatterer you are! Why not begin to -practice on my lecture by telling me the truth? Tired! -Antiquity is never tired. The tired ones are your moderns—such -young men as you may see behind me.”</p> - -<p>Cimon was surprised at the magnificent beauty that -now disengaged herself from the arms of Seti and stood -blushing before them. Aleph had indeed spoken of her -as beautiful, but with no particularity and effusion: and -so he was not prepared for the lovely vision. It seemed -to him for a moment as if he had before him one of the -Hellenic goddesses—a sort of compound of Aphrodite and -Athene and Artemis. As to Aleph—such a look of glad -recognition sprang to his face at the unexpected meeting -that she could not but notice it. It gave her courage to -advance and give her hand to Cimon, saying, “The -daughter of Alexander gratefully remembers our friend -of the Diapleuston”—to then turn to Aleph with a welcoming -look and a new flush on her cheek as she said, -“You see one has to make much of her grandfather, especially -when she has but one. Perhaps you, too, have -a mother-father and know how good it is to have him.”</p> - -<p>“The lady has guessed rightly,” returned the young -man. “The last thing I did when leaving my country -was to bow my tearful face on the shoulder of a white-haired -man whose form was not bent, nor eye dim, nor -natural force abated, though he had long passed his century; -and who laid his hand on my head and sent me -away with the blessing of a grand sire. God willing, I -shall see him again. The mother-fathers of Chaldea live -long.”</p> - -<p>“May the God of Chaldean Abraham grant it,” said -the maiden devoutly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span></p> - -<p>“And grant also that I may carry back to him the -news he has so long waited for—that the Desire of all nations -has at last come!”</p> - -<p>“Amen,” said Rachel; “and, according to my promise, -I have something new to tell you touching that matter. -So come with me, all of you—I mean <em>you</em>, mother-father,” -and she threw a graceful gesture at Seti as she -led the way to seats near a window.</p> - -<p>While the young people had been talking, Seti, with -folded arms, had kept his eyes fastened on them as if by -some irresistible attraction. Rousing himself at the call -of Rachel, he said to Cimon with a smile, “In these days -the Egyptian is in bondage to Israel,” and added as he -closed the door and followed, “and is not very discontented—certainly -not enough to make an exodus.”</p> - -<p>When they were seated, Rachel said to Aleph, “I -promised that if I obtained any new facts about Jesus I -would communicate them to you. And this is what I -have heard this morning.”</p> - -<p>She then proceeded to say that on her way to the -Serapeum she had seen Miriam, found that her husband -had not appeared, found that she had improved so much -that she was able to tell her sad story since her marriage. -She had first gone with her husband to Tyre, where he -professed to have property. After a few days he removed -her to a small house near the city. This was the first of -a succession of removals east and south. They never -stopped long in a place—never lived in any but the poorest -and obscurest part of a place. She never knew her -husband do any work, or seek for any. She often wondered -at first how he obtained such scanty and irregular -supplies as they had. Once when she asked him about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> -the matter, he said that he was living on his property; -and accompanied the information with such a storm of -abuse that she never after dared to refer to the subject. -She did not need to do so. He was abroad much at -night; and she noticed that when abroad during the day -he shunned thoroughfares, and sometimes disguised himself. -Moreover, the men whom he brought to the house -were of the lowest sort, and she could not well avoid -overhearing enough of their talk to assure her that they -agreed in thinking that property was robbery and might -be taken wherever it could be found. After the first few -weeks he cast off all semblance of regard for her. He -would often leave her for weeks without any means of -support; and had it not been for the compassion of the -poor people about her she would have starved. As it -was, her suffering from exposure, privation, and remorse -reduced her almost to a skeleton. Ah, what days those -were! She shuddered when she spoke of them. Such -wretched living as they had was gotten by robbery, and -sometimes by murder. He no longer pretended the contrary. -She came to know that their frequent changes of -place were made necessary by his crimes. As soon as he -found himself an object of suspicion, he went to a new -place and there repeated his thefts and burglaries until -his safety required him to move on. In this way they -slowly drifted from the Phenician coast to the Sea of -Galilee.</p> - -<p>She now thinks that she could not have lived through -that awful pilgrimage had it not been for one thing. -Wherever she went she met with poor people who had -been cured of some incurable ail by the new prophet -Jesus—cured by a touch or a word. Sometimes it was a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> -palsy, sometimes consumption, sometimes leprosy, sometimes -blindness or deafness or a lost limb, sometimes -devils or death. And he asked nothing in return for -such wonderful deliverances. Of course all mouths were -full of his praises. They told of his gentle and compassionate -ways; how he did not disdain publicans and sinners, -saying that he came to seek and save the lost: how -he took little children in his arms and caressed and -blessed them; how patiently and wisely and wonderfully -he taught the humblest as well as the highest—told of -such things till her heart burned and ached to see him, -to be near him, to pour out her oppressed soul into his -pitiful ears.</p> - -<p>At last her wish was accomplished. One day, while -they were living at Chorasin, after some new tempest of -abuse and wickedness from her husband, she slipped away -into the fields to give vent to her grief and despair. -There she saw in the distance a number of people on an -eminence: and, on mounting a rock, she saw that others -were moving toward the eminence from all directions. It -flashed upon her that perhaps Jesus had come, and that -now was her opportunity. She at once made for the hill—determined -that if indeed Jesus was there she would -get as near to him as possible. She felt as if some -mighty loadstone was drawing upon her. Being unencumbered, -she sped along quickly, passed many who were -carrying sick people or were sick themselves, and was not -long in assuring herself that it was indeed Jesus toward -whom all the streams of infirmity and suffering were setting.</p> - -<p>She quickened her steps into a desperate haste. She -flew rather than ran—flew to the side of the hill where<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> -the people were fewest, pressed through them as if on an -errand of life and death, saw one who was plainly the -central figure, fell down before him panting, disheveled, -eyes streaming, and tried to look up through her tears -into his face. And she dimly saw there such gentleness, -such pity, such insight, such power, that a great wave of -rest swept in on her soul as she murmured, <i>Lord, thou -knowest</i>. And he answered, in a voice strangely sweet, -that somehow seemed to penetrate every fibre of her being.</p> - -<p>“Yes, I know, thou daughter of many sorrows. -Wait patiently for the hour of deliverance which will -come in thy own country by the hands of those whom I -will send. Meanwhile go in peace—thy sins be forgiven -thee.”</p> - -<p>She rose—all the harshness and bitterness of her -soul gone, a calmness and strength and peace within that -were indescribable. She did not withdraw from the -scene; only fell back among the crowd. And there she -saw with her own eyes the wonderful things done of -which she had been hearing ever since she landed in -Tyre. It seemed as if the whole country about had -searched out its desperate cases and brought them together -to test his power and pity. And she saw that no -case was beyond him. Not an ail in all the throng but -had instant relief as he touched or spoke. The number -and variety of the miracles almost took her breath away. -When the last sufferer had been helped she could no -longer contain herself, but, as if filled and pressed irresistibly -by a heavenly breath, burst forth with song, “O -give thanks unto the Lord, for he has done marvellous -things:” and all the people joined their voices to hers -till the country side rang.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></p> - -<p>She went back to her husband, but not to her misery. -The memory of that look, and that voice, and that promise -was like a strong man under her cross. Her husband -was no better; they still drifted from place to place, but -always with a compulsion by circumstances toward the -south and west. Her strength grew less as they approached -the seacoast, and quite broke down at Joppa as -she saw her husband, as he was hurrying her aboard a -vessel for Alexandria in the night, rob and kill a man; -yet even then the memory of that divine hour in Galilee -was a mighty peace in her heart, and she felt that she was -on her way to deliverance.</p> - -<p>Said Seti to Rachel, after the few moments of profound -silence that followed her narrative, “Did you ever -notice in Miriam in former days any tendency to—exaggeration?”</p> - -<p>“Never,” she replied. “On the contrary, Miriam -was noted for great care not to overstate facts. You may -depend upon it, grandfather, she is fully up to the -standard of your lecture.”</p> - -<p>Seti seemed not to notice this sally, and the accompanying -shadow of a smile that flitted across the shining -face, but said, “To say nothing of his marvellous deeds, -the attention which Jesus pays to the lowly and uninfluential, -rather than to the great and powerful, is very unlike -what one would expect in a scheming impostor.”</p> - -<p>“That he is not that,” said Aleph, “is still further -confirmed by what my preceptor and friend here heard -yesterday. I am sure you will agree with me if he will -tell the substance of what Shaphan of the gate of Canopus -related.”</p> - -<p>All wished to hear. So Cimon proceeded to relate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> -the story of Shaphan—omitting, however, the circumstances -bearing on Malus, and one or two other particulars.</p> - -<p>When he had finished, Rachel exclaimed, “How wonderful -all this is! Surely there is but one thing to be -said, unless we are prepared to discredit all human testimony! -I have heard my father speak of Shaphan as a -very good man: I must see him and ask him many questions.”</p> - -<p>“Would it not be better,” said Seti, “to first question -some expert magician as to what he can do by his -art? It is not incredible that there should be beings between -the Supreme and ourselves who can do very wonderful -things.”</p> - -<p>“No, my dear grandfather; but if these superior beings -are good they will not lend themselves to a great religious -imposture; and if they are bad they would fight -against themselves by endorsing such teaching and doing -such works as those of Jesus. Would Satan cast out -Satan?”</p> - -<p>“Hardly. Still, have not magicians sometimes been -good men? Perhaps our friends here can throw some -light on that matter. Time has been when Chaldea was -famous for its magicians”—and Seti looked toward -Aleph.</p> - -<p>“In my country, as in Egypt,” said Aleph, “the -name magicians has always been used to cover all students -of extensive knowledge, especially all students of -the powers and processes of Nature. As to such persons -as profess by certain arts to enlist the powers of mightier -spirits in their service there is, at least at present, but -one opinion among us, and that a very unfavorable one.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> -It is that of the Hebrew Scriptures which denounce and -forbid all magical arts under heavy penalties. However -it may be with others, those who profess to accept these -Scriptures and at the same time use magical arts, it -seems to me, cannot be good men, or other than very -bad. This is the case of Jesus. As I understand it, he -professes to hold faithfully by Moses and the prophets. -This being so, if he is a magician he is one of the worst -of men—especially as he solemnly declares that he works -his wonders not by magic, but by God.”</p> - -<p>“And consequently,” added Cimon, “all evidence we -have that he is one of the best of men is evidence that he -is not a magician.”</p> - -<p>“And what evidence of this sort have we?” asked Seti.</p> - -<p>“At least we can say,” returned the Greek, “that no -evidence <em>against</em> Jesus has yet reached us, while we have -heard much for him. We have heard that his miracles -are wholly beneficent and his teachings wholly righteous; -and that the worst thing his enemies can say of -him is that he does the very thing the prophets said the -Christ would do, viz., stoop to the humblest while claiming -with the highest. For myself, I would also lay considerable -stress on the impression which the mere personal -presence of Jesus makes on such a man as Shaphan. -It is plain to me that this man would profoundly -believe in the worth of Jesus, even if he had not seen a -single miracle of his, nor heard from him a single word. -Is this unreasonable? Two or three times in the course -of my life, I have been similarly impressed—I have had -merely to look into the eye and watch for a few moments -the play of the features to get an immovable confidence -in the character that lay behind them. Ordinary goodness,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> -I confess, does not manifest itself in this royal way; -nor does extraordinary, except under certain physical organizations; -but there <em>are</em> organizations through which -it is self-revealing—through which it looks forth as -through pure crystal and shines by its own light, as does -any mathematical axiom—through which it is able to put -forth a heavenly atmosphere into which at least a sympathetic -soul cannot enter without feeling its heavenly -character.”</p> - -<p>“So it seems to me,” said Seti. “I, too, have met a -case or two of that sort.”</p> - -<p>“The venerable Seti,” said Aleph; “has doubtless -met with many so-called magicians in this land of the -strange and mysterious. May I ask whether he has ever -met one who has <em>claimed</em> to do his prodigies through the -Supreme God, or to do them in such vast variety and -magnificence as are conceded to Jesus?”</p> - -<p>“Certainly not,” answered the Egyptian; “and I -am quite sure that if we could get together all the professors -of the magical art that are or have been, they -could not, all together, make out such a list of wonders as -is conceded to Jesus.”</p> - -<p>“I would also ask of the venerable Seti,” continued -Aleph, “if he will not express his views more fully as to -the suggestion of the lady Rachel, viz., that it is incredible -that bad spirits of vast intelligence would lend their -powers to give currency and authority to a system of -teaching whose whole stress they must see to be to defeat -and destroy their influence.”</p> - -<p>“It <em>is</em> incredible. She only needs to show that the -teaching of Jesus is plainly and thoroughly against the -feelings and objects of evil spirits.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Why, my dear grandfather, all the accounts agree -that Jesus teaches altogether in the line of our Scriptures, -though with new fullness and illustrations—and no -one knows better than you how holy the teachings of our -Sacred Books are—exposing the devices of Satan, denouncing -him and all his works, calling to watchfulness -and prayer against him, rebuking and casting out his demons, -assailing the very foundation of his kingdom in -disloyalty to God, binding our consciences to a perpetual -war on sin in both life and heart, threatening it with the -terrors of an avenging heaven.”</p> - -<p>Seti inclined his head gravely toward the maiden, -whose earnestness was now glowing in her face and adding -to it new charms, but was silent.</p> - -<p>“The lady has expressed my thought,” said Cimon. -“It used to be a part of the Roman law, and I presume -is so still, that when a man is accused of doing what -would neither suit his passions nor his interests, the accusation -may be dismissed at once. It is incredible. -Neither men nor devils act against all motive.”</p> - -<p>“Now, great teacher,” cried Rachel, “it is time to -sum up, as you do sometimes in your lectures; and (she -brightly shook her finger at Seti) be careful to sum up -on the right side.”</p> - -<p>“Which of course means <em>your</em> side,” said the Egyptian, -with a slight lifting of his eyebrows.... Well, -how will this please you?</p> - -<p>“Jesus, it is universally conceded, has done many -things far beyond mere human power: he claims for -them a divine origin: they are worthy of such an origin -in the grandeur and beneficence of their character: such -an origin agrees with certain ancient predictions apparently<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> -relating to these times: unless they have such an -origin, neither had the miracles of Moses and the other -prophets; and indeed it seems impossible for God to furnish -reliable credentials to any messenger; for, so far as -we can see, his credentials must be miracles and could -not well be greater miracles than Jesus has wrought: unless -they have a divine origin they are demoniacal—which -is wholly inconsistent with the apparent (say certain) -character of Jesus and also with his teachings, which are -such as no evil spirit could reasonably be supposed willing -to promote.... Is this satisfactory?”—turning -to Rachel.</p> - -<p>“I think you could do better; but that will do—will -do very well for the present,” she returned smiling; -“especially as you have gratuitously supplied some missing -links to the chain. Go on, O illustrious house of -Seti and heir of all the Pharaohs, I have great hopes of -you yet.”</p> - -<p>“You see, gentlemen,” said Seti, “what comes of -teaching our daughters to know and argue like other people. -As soon as we furnish them with arms they turn -them against us. And this they call gratitude!”</p> - -<p>“But,” he added gravely, seeing Cimon rising to -take leave, “if your affairs now call you away I wish to -make an inquiry of you—if you will step this way.”</p> - -<p>Cimon followed him to a distant part of the room.</p> - -<p>After a little hesitation, Aleph said to Rachel, “Your -grandfather has surprised me very much in this conversation. -From the position he holds I should have thought -such views on his part impossible.”</p> - -<p>“There is a mystery about the matter, I confess,” replied -the maiden; “but then this is not the only righteous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> -mystery in Alexandria to-day”—and her eyes -laughed into his in a very wonderful way.</p> - -<p>“Let us hope,” said he with an answering gleam -from eyes quite as wonderful though mysteriously different, -“that they both will clear up satisfactorily in due -time, as the mystery of Jesus seems to be doing. I am -grateful to you for what I have heard to-day. But I would -be glad to speak with Miriam myself. Do you think she -will be strong enough to bear another talk to-day?”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps so. I return to her as soon as my sedan -comes; and if you will accompany me we will see what -she is equal to. If you do not object, I wish to be present -when you question her.”</p> - -<p>“That would be delightful to me (and a new light -sprang to his eyes as he said it)—especially since I have -come to know that you have mind as well as beauty, and -can inquire and reason with the best.”</p> - -<p>He said this as if half soliloquizing, and with such an -air of glad heartiness that she at once felt that the words -had in them nothing of the emptiness of mere compliment.</p> - -<p>She hastened to say timidly, “If we find that she is -not able to talk with us to-day, we can arrange to see her -to-morrow when she is fresh. Perhaps, too, she will then -be able to bear removal to our house and—could I count -on your aid in transferring her, for my brothers are away -and my father has gone to Rome?”</p> - -<p>“How gladly I agree to this the lady Rachel, I trust, -already knows. At the same time, I must confess, I -have some doubt as to what the morrow may bring -to me; and so I would fain do as much as I can to-day.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p> - -<p>“You do not mean—I trust you do not mean <em>danger</em>?” -and she looked anxiously at him.</p> - -<p>Before he could answer a knock was heard at the door -and a servant entered to say that the sedan of the lady -was waiting at the gate. Rachel hastily prepared for the -street. Going to Seti, who now stood by the door, she -kissed him and—stood embarrassed.</p> - -<p>“Well, what is it, my Gem of Alexandria?” said -Seti. “What can we do for you? Do you want the old -man to send you off with a formal blessing? The blessing -of a heathen is not worth very much.”</p> - -<p>“You are no heathen,” rejoined the maiden; “and -I have already a great store of your blessings carefully -laid up at home among my treasures. Give your blessing -to-day to these friends of ours who, I fear, are in danger, -and who have deserved well at our hands. You are wise -and powerful—protect them, or you and I will have to -part company. I hate ingratitude”—and she shook her -finger at him.</p> - -<p>“By the way,” she added, “do you think that so valuable -a jewel as the Gem of Alexandria ought to pass -along the street without an escort?”</p> - -<p>“I was about to offer the lady my escort on her way -as far as Miriam, whom I wished to question: but it -seems that I am a person who himself needs protection,” -said Aleph with a smile.</p> - -<p>“Judging from what we have seen, Aleph the Chaldean -is remarkably well qualified to protect himself, to -say nothing of others,” said Seti with great composure.</p> - -<p>“Yes, against a fair enemy,” protested the maiden; -“but against others one needs all the help he can get -from both earth and heaven. What I want of you,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> -grandfather, is to see that earth does its part. If you do -not, I promise you that you shall see how a woman can -bestir herself.”</p> - -<p>“Just as if Seti needed all this eloquence, child!” he -said reproachfully.</p> - -<p>“Mother-father, I am ashamed of myself. I know -that you mean nobly. But then you men are so manly that -you are not so quick as a woman at divining the presence -of danger, though far better at meeting it when discovered. -At least, so I am told; and I shall not deny it till -necessary. So forgive me, and—do as I say.”</p> - -<p>“I am not sure,” said the Egyptian thoughtfully, -“but that both of you are right. If Rachel must return -by way of Miriam an escort may be a protection to her, -as Antis is capable of the worst; and to be seen in the -streets with the daughter of Alexander may in the end -be a protection to Aleph the Chaldean, for it will show -whom it may concern that he is not without friends. So -go, you two—but I will ask our friend Cimon to remain -a while longer.”</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></p> - -<h2>VIII.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE ESCORT.</span></h2> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p>Ουδ’ αλλο δυσφύλακτον ούδὲν ώς γυνή.</p> - -<p class="right">—<cite>Anon.</cite></p> - -<p><i>Nothing is so hard to guard as a woman.</i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p> - -<ul> -<li>1. Twin serpents from Tenedos.</li> -<li>2. News from Galilee.</li> -<li>3. An escort dealing with escorts.</li> -<li>4. Home at last.</li> -</ul> - -</div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p> - -<h3>VIII.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE ESCORT.</span></h3> - -<p>In going to the Serapeum, our friends had noticed near -the gate of the khan the Cretan who, as agent for -Malus, had dealt with the Phenician dealer in dyes. They -recognized him readily, though he turned hastily away as -they approached him. The <em>catspaw of Malus!</em> they -both thought; and would perhaps have thought no more -of it had not——</p> - -<p>But, on going a little farther, whom should they see -but Malus himself coming toward them! They could not -be mistaken—the same obese figure, the same waddling -gait, the same wooden face and gimlet eyes. He stopped -almost immediately at a fruiterer’s stall, and seemed busy -in selecting some fruit as they passed. After they had -passed he turned and watched them. They did not turn -to notice the fact, but they knew it all the same—knew -that Malus had tracked them to their quarters and made -sure of a close connection between them.</p> - -<p>When Aleph came out with Rachel to her sedan, he -very naturally looked about to see if he was still under -surveillance. But he saw only the porters of the rich -conveyance that waited for the daughter of Alexander. -Nor did he, on the way to Miriam’s, as he walked by the -side of the chair and occasionally exchanged a word with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> -its inmate, observe anything but that courteous general -observation which a very distinguished looking man in -honorable attendance on a great lady might be expected -to draw.</p> - -<p>There was one interruption on the way—a pleasant -one. Rachel, through her curtains, happening to descry -Shaphan at a distance, stopped her bearers and begged -Aleph to beckon the Jew to them. He promptly crossed -the street. The lady gave him her hand and said that -she had been hearing with great interest the story of his -visit to Judea, but wished to hear it again at first hand. -Could he not go with them a short distance to where her -nurse lived and there gratify her? He could: in fact, -his brother, who had just returned from Judea, and himself -were even now returning from the Egyptian khan -near the Serapeum, whither they had gone for the purpose -of seeing the young Chaldean (he bowed to Aleph) and -his friend, and communicating some new information -about the Messiah.</p> - -<p>Aleph expressed his gratification at the meeting, and -warmly seconded the lady’s request. So Shaphan beckoned -to his brother, and the two followed the chair to the -house of Miriam.</p> - -<p>They found the door guarded by a stout servant of -Alexander, and by bars still stouter. It appeared that -Antis had lately been there, demanded admittance, and, -on being refused, had become violent, tried to break open -the door, and finally had gone away threatening to return -shortly with authority and force that could not be resisted.</p> - -<p>Aleph suggested that the sedan be brought within the -house. Should violence be used it might be well to add -the porters to the resisting force.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span></p> - -<p>They found that Miriam had been so agitated by the -attempt of her husband that she was unfit for the further -conversation that Aleph desired. But with so many -friends now about her she was in a restful state; and -when Rachel proposed that, if it would not tire her too -much, Shaphan and his brother should give an account -of their visit to Palestine and Jesus, she declared that she -could well endure it. Indeed, it would strengthen her. -To hear of Jesus again would be as cool water to a thirsty -soul.</p> - -<p>So Shaphan told again the story with which we are -already familiar—told it, however, with omission of the -part relating to Malus; for Aleph had suggested that all -the servants, excepting the door-keeper, should be present -at the recital. “This was a matter that concerned everybody.”</p> - -<p>When Shaphan had finished, his brother Nathan -added substantially the following account:</p> - -<p>After the departure of his brother, he had remained a -few days longer with Jesus, listening to his teaching and -seeing further examples of his wonderful power. Two of -these examples were specially impressive.</p> - -<p>One day, as the night drew on, Jesus, who had been -teaching the people from a boat belonging to his disciples, -was overheard saying to them, <i>Let us go over to the other -side</i>. Whereupon they put out into the lake and headed -for Gadara. Some of his hearers, of whom Nathan was -one, hating to part company with him for even a short -time, immediately sprang into another boat and followed. -Soon the night shut down—one of the blackest nights -ever known. Jesus’ boat could no longer be seen. Suddenly -the wind rose into a gale. It wrestled with the sea<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> -like a giant; and the sea rose in its wrath and wrestled -back again with a mighty outcry. For a moment they -would lie breathless in each other’s arms; and then, reviving, -fling themselves madly at each other in mortal -duel. It was an awful scene. It seemed as if all the -demons were abroad. The waters which, when they embarked, -were almost without discernible wrinkle, were now -furrowed into mighty chasms by the plow of the storm -king. Up went the little boat to heaven on the thundering -billow; down it went into a hell of waters as thunderous. -The watery monsters shook their white manes -and lashed their black sides and leaped at and over their -prey with open jaws. They laughed to scorn oar and -rudder and seamanship. They shouted, and howled and -shrieked, and seemed to swear by the Eternal to the helpless -crew, “We have you now; nothing can save you; to-morrow -your corpses will be drifting silently about; no, -nothing can save you, not even the mighty Christ.” Such -blaspheming, frantic, frightful madhouse of the elements—who -ever saw the like! Not Nathan and his -companions. It seemed to them as if hell had emptied -itself on the sea of Galilee; and that all the fiends, astride -of whirlwinds and crested billows, were fiercely battling -together for the privilege of drowning every living thing. -They struggled. They prayed. They were in despair. -Drenched, rudderless, oarless, they clung to the sides of -the fast filling boat in a paroxysm of horror and helplessness. -In a few moments all would be over. They commended -their souls to God.</p> - -<p>What noise was that? Off at their right, hidden in -the darkness, evidently was another crew of affrighted -and sinking men, crying out in their extremity. Can<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> -they be Jesus and his disciples? Are they too in the very -jaws of death? Cannot he who has done such great -things manage to save his own, to save himself? Or are -these raging, howling elements a field to which his power -does not extend? Such thoughts flashed through the -mind of Nathan even as he seemed on the point of being -swallowed up. But just then he distinctly heard (for the -boats had neared each other) a distressful voice which he -recognized as that of one of the disciples, exclaiming, -<i>Lord, save us, we perish!</i></p> - -<p>“Can he do it? If so, why has he not interfered -before? Why permit such a horrible fright to his -friends? No, he cannot do it. Jesus has at last found his -master. There seems the exultation of conscious omnipotence -and universal mastery in the leapings and thunderings -of this hurricane-tossed sea!”</p> - -<p>Such thoughts rushed upon Nathan as fiercely as the -tempest itself—as if Satan himself were riding the storm -and dashing them into his face with the spray and foam.</p> - -<p>Still he was all ear for what might follow that cry for -help. Clinging to the side of the boat with both hands, -he kept his face set toward where the other boat seemed -to be, and almost stilled his heart-beat as he listened. It -seemed as if his soul had gone to his ears, and was leaning -forth, as men sometimes do from a casement, to catch -the faintest word that might come from the Master in -answer to the despairing cry of his followers. And there -came—a faint ripple of speech, a shadow or ghost of articulate -sound almost lost amid the deafening and majestic -outcries of the storm? No. A wailing prayer for help -to One above the clouds? No. A quavering, hesitating -voice as of one doubtful of himself and of the issue? No.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> -The voice that came was so clear, so penetrating, so dominant -among the wild noises of the storm, so full of calm -decision and unquestionable authority and sovereign -forces, that one felt sure in advance of what the result -would be.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Peace—be still!</span></p> - -<p>No sooner had these words gone forth on the wrestling, -roaring winds than they fell dead in full career. No sooner -had these words gone forth on the wrestling, roaring billows -that went charging against the sky with their crested -battalions than they sank in their places as sinks the ox -when smitten on the forehead by the axe of some mighty -man. And there was a great calm. Hardly a ripple was -left in sea or air. What a sudden silence! In an instant -the demons of the storm had not only taken flight, but -were already beyond hearing and sight. And, looking -up, Nathan and his companions saw that even the clouds -had wholly fled, and left the stars looking down on them -as peacefully as if nothing had happened, or ever would -happen again. And off, a little way, the starlight was -softly shimmering on a summer sea, on gently plashing -oars, on a boat and boatmen, and in the stern on the eminent -form of Him who had now shown himself King of -Nature as well as King of men.</p> - -<p>Nathan and his companions reached the shore very -soon after Jesus. They had scarcely landed and joined -him when, from one of the cave-tombs that skirt the shore, -there rushed toward them a figure that seemed scarcely -human. He came as if driven by the tempest that had -just maddened the lake. He was himself a tempest of the -most frightful kind—as appeared when he drew near. He -was quite naked. His face and body were covered with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> -scars and filth and fresh blood. In his hands he carried -sharp stones, with which he beat and cut himself as he -shrieked and ran. His long hair streamed in the wind -and seemed like a cluster of flying serpents biting at his -brain. And when he came near—ah, what an expression -in those fiery eyes and tormented features! It was as if -hell itself, with all its fiendishness and misery, had been -condensed into that awful face. Nathan had seen not a -few demoniacs before, but never such a specimen as this. -The very recollection made him shudder. The possibility -of such suffering and such wickedness as were pictured in -that face had never before entered his mind.</p> - -<p>The man came directly toward Jesus with frantic leaps -and cries, as if to destroy him—as he seemed well able to -do; such were the wonderful activity and strength he displayed. -But Jesus, standing a little in advance of his -disciples, calmly awaited the coming. His face was another -wonder to see. It was sublime—it was divine. -Such unutterable calm, such boundless pity, such inexhaustible -resources of force and authority and sovereignty -spoke in every feature that Nathan could not but say to -himself, <span class="smcap">Lo, God is here</span>.</p> - -<p>The monster sank on his knees under the spell of that -divine gaze—uttering a fearful cry as of many voices -crushed into one.</p> - -<p>“What is thy name?” said Jesus.</p> - -<p>And through the parted but unmoving lips of the -madman, and as if from deep within, came a mystery of -speech that said:</p> - -<p>“My name is Legion, for we are many. What have -we to do with thee, thou Son of God most High? Art -thou come hither to torment us before the time? If<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> -thou cast us out, suffer us to go into yonder herd of -swine.”</p> - -<p>Jesus said, <i>Go!</i></p> - -<p>Promptly at the word, the crowd of evil spirits that -had captured that body, bound its inhabitant, and seized -the reins of power, fled headlong. Nathan knew it from -the mighty change that at once flashed over the demoniac. -The monster became a man. The face just now terrible -with the lightnings of hellish passions, more terrible than -the storm on the Sea of Galilee or any other sea, suddenly -became a new face—transformed almost beyond recognition -into repose, sanity, sweetness, joy. Nathan was -astonished at the transfiguration. He could not help -crying out, <i>Glory to God!</i> and his heart cried louder -than his lips. He had seen dispossessions before; and -they were delightful things to see. But he had never -before seen a man delivered from an entire synagogue of -devils, from the Nemesis of a whole army of evil spirits. -That was a deliverance past speech. That was an exodus -to bring out the sun in the face of a man.</p> - -<p>The man was saved, but the swine were lost. For the -whole herd of about two thousand, just now stolidly feeding -along the steep bank, pricked up their ears, stood -snuffing the air, and then, as if possessed by as many -whirlwinds, rushed headlong down the steep into the lake -and perished. The disciples understood the judgment as -well as the mercy. Those swine, kept contrary to the -law, and serving as a standing defiance of the law -through all that region, were felt to have been justly confiscated. -But the owners were naturally sore at the loss -of their property, and others were afraid of like losses; -and so they persuaded the people of the district to go in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> -a body to Jesus and beg him to leave. The people did -it—though they saw the man who had been the terror of -the whole country-side sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed -and in his right mind. Strange infatuation! The people -themselves were possessed. The evil spirits that had -forsaken the man, and forsaken the swine, had entered -into <em>them</em>—as a legion of fools. Jesus did not refuse their -suicidal request. So the two boats immediately returned -to Capernaum.</p> - -<p>This ended Nathan’s visit to Jesus. He left the same -day for Egypt—left with stronger faith than ever in Jesus -as the Messiah. The absence of all the usual magical -preparations for his wonders, the exceeding magnitude -and variety of them, the magnificent ease with which -they were performed, the fearless manner in which they -were exposed to the blaze of public observation, the universal -consent to their reality on the part of even his worst -enemies, the plain antagonism of his whole teaching to -the idea that they were of Satanic origin, together with -the sovereign and divine expression that reigned in his -mien while doing them, seemed conclusive. It seemed -impossible for any fair-minded man to look into that face -and watch its expressions without getting the impression -of unutterable genuineness and goodness. He could doubt -neither the reality nor the divine origin of the miracles of -Jesus.</p> - -<p>But, somehow, the people at large were not impressed -as he was. They were getting used to the wonderful -works. And the leaders of the people were industriously -encouraging the idea of a Satanic agency in them—and -with growing success. About the Sea of Galilee, where -most of his mighty works are done, Jesus has very few<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> -who believe in him. He does not conform to the current -notion of what the Messiah should be. He gives no encouragement -to political unrest; he makes no attempt to -form a political party, collects no military stores, gathers -no army, assumes no state. He seems to aim at no worldly -grandeur for himself or nation. He has even been understood -to say that rejection and suffering and even death -await him—that, in short, his kingdom is not of this -world. This is very unsatisfactory to the people at large. -If he would only proclaim a temporal kingdom, set up the -standard of revolt against Rome, and summon the people -to rally about it, no doubt they would rush to him at -once. But as it is, they will go from him. So it seemed -to Nathan as he watched the people; and so it seemed to -him it would be as he read the prophets. The more he -studied them the more inclined was he to think that they -had been misunderstood.</p> - -<p>“I think very much as you do,” said Aleph, “and -shall not be at all surprised if Jesus the Messiah should -prove a Sacrifice as well as a king. King he certainly is—king -of devils, king of diseases, king of the elements, -king of teachers——”</p> - -<p>Here he was interrupted by the door-keeper, who came -to say that through the eyelet of the door he could see -Antis approaching with what seemed a police force.</p> - -<p>“Oh, do not let him enter,” exclaimed Miriam in great -distress; “if he enters I shall die. You do not know all -I know.” And she raised herself in the bed and wrung -her hands in an agony of apprehension.</p> - -<p>“Do not disturb yourself,” said Aleph calmly. -“Though we do not know all, we know enough. But -Jesus knew it all, and you have his promise. Trust it and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> -reserve such strength as you have till it is needed. We -will not desert you.”</p> - -<p>A violent blow on the street-door was now heard.</p> - -<p>“I will go to the door,” said Aleph, “and if I need -any help you will discover it, as I will leave the passage -open so that you can hear what is passing.”</p> - -<p>Taking his cane, he proceeded to the door; and, bidding -the door-keeper undo the fastenings, he suddenly set -the door widely open and stood in its place.</p> - -<p>This was unexpected. Antis was just in the act of repeating -his blow on the door, but suddenly finding himself -confronted by a formidable looking man instead of a -door, he stepped hastily backward.</p> - -<p>“What do you seek,” demanded Aleph, fixing on the -man a stern eye, “that you knock in so unbecoming a -manner?”</p> - -<p>“I seek the possession of my own house,” said the fellow -sullenly.</p> - -<p>“Are you the owner of this house? I think you will -hardly venture to claim that.”</p> - -<p>“I claim that I have purchased the right of an owner, -so far as occupying this house is concerned, for one month, -and that it is the will of the owner that I have possession -at once.”</p> - -<p>“Show me that such is the will of the owner.”</p> - -<p>Antis produced a paper and handed it to Aleph.</p> - -<p>After reading it, Aleph said, “It seems that this house -belongs to Malus, and that he wishes it transferred to you, -and that he has sent this police force which I see behind -you to enforce his wishes, if necessary.—Are you the captain -of this force?” he added, looking at a man who stood -a few steps behind Antis.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span></p> - -<p>“I am,” he said.</p> - -<p>“In ordinary cases,” said Aleph slowly, as he surveyed -the man—“in ordinary cases we should be warranted in -putting you in immediate possession; but this case is extraordinary—so -extraordinary that we have a right to presume -that neither Malus nor the chief of the police understood -the circumstances when they gave the order just -shown me.”</p> - -<p>“We have no discretion,” said the captain. “We are -sent here to put this man in possession, not to judge of -the righteousness of it.”</p> - -<p>“Do you mean to say that if you should see reason to -believe that your force of some six men is quite insufficient -to accomplish your object, you would not be at liberty -to return to your superiors for further instructions? -Are you not expected to use discretion in judging whether -such is the case?”</p> - -<p>“Certainly: but such does not appear to be the present -case,” said the officer with a chuckle.</p> - -<p>Without noticing the manner of the man, Aleph went -on, “Do you mean to say that if you should see grave -reason to fear that this man in whose behalf you are interfering -would use the house to waylay and murder Malus -and your chief, you would not be warranted in at least -returning for further instructions?”</p> - -<p>“Well—in such a case as you suppose, I should of -course return: but this is not such a case, nor anything -like it,” said the man doggedly.</p> - -<p>“Very considerably like it: for I shall show you grave -reason to fear that this man” (he pointed his finger at -Antis) “is capable of doing all that and worse—that he -is a desperado of the worst sort, and——”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span></p> - -<p>Here Antis broke in, screaming out, “<span class="smcap">It is false! It -is false!</span>”</p> - -<p>Aleph fixed on him eyes that blazed calmly into his -for a moment, and then said sternly, “You know it is -<em>true</em>, you ruffian. It is written in your face for everybody -to see. And everybody sees it. If you want to be taken -for anything less than a desperado, wear a mask over your -tell-tale face. So do not interrupt me again;” and he -gave him another look so full of insight and authority -and menace, and at the same time of a certain pitying -wonder (as the man who walks easily finds it hard to -realize that anybody else is lame, so the good man finds it -hard to understand how anybody can be a villain), that he -dropped his eyes, grew pale and red by turns, and made -no further attempt to speak.</p> - -<p>Aleph resumed, turning again to the captain: “I was -saying that I would show you grave reason for thinking -this man a desperado of the worst kind; that he is a -robber and murderer by profession; that if put in possession -of this house he will make it a den of thieves and -murderers. He is strongly suspected of designs on the -life of his sick wife, who for some days has been in a critical -condition, and whom he has long abused. It is for -such reasons that her friends have excluded him from the -house. Do you suppose that your principals, if responsibly -informed of these facts, would persist in wishing you -to hand over these premises and the sick woman to such -a man?”</p> - -<p>“I admit,” answered the officer, “that if you can show -that he is such a dangerous character, and that putting -him in possession will endanger the public as well as the -sick woman, or even can show that this is so in the opinion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> -of responsible parties, I ought to return and report -the fact to my superiors. Who are the persons who make -these charges?”</p> - -<p>“His wife, supported by Seti, the Egyptian high-priest, -the lady Rachel, daughter of the Alabarch, and -myself, a member of the University.”</p> - -<p>The captain had for some time appeared uneasy. He -now folded his arms, shifted repeatedly from one foot to -another, fumbled aimlessly with the short sword at his -side. Aleph watched him narrowly; and at length said -with a grave irony of tone:</p> - -<p>“Perhaps you do not consider Seti and the Alabarch -as responsible parties!”</p> - -<p>But immediately changing his tone and raising his -voice, he added, “I call to witness both those before me -in the street and those behind me in the house” (half -turning as he spoke, he became aware that he had already -been followed into the passage by all his friends), “that I -have repeatedly informed this officer that this house has -been occupied by parties whose responsibility it were absurd -to question, for the sole purpose of preventing its becoming -a danger to life and a public nuisance, and that if -he puts it into the possession of this man he will, in their -opinion, imperil the lives and property of the people of -Alexandria. I wish you all to distinctly notice this. Take -notice, also, that we do not propose to resist the law—only -to retain possession till the law can be properly informed -of facts that were unknown to it at the time its -order was given. And so our very moderate request is -that this officer return to headquarters, report what he -has heard, and ask for new instructions. If the officials -then repeat their order, it will be with full knowledge of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> -the responsibility they are incurring, and they can properly -be held to account for all the consequences: and this -must be a very serious account unless the laws and public -opinion of Alexandria differ very considerably from those -of Heaven.”</p> - -<p>“It is he of the Diapleuston!” cried a voice from the -street. “Give him a cheer!”</p> - -<p>And a great cheer there was; for though the street -was a retired one, quite a body of spectators had gathered -one by one behind the police and were watching the conference -with lively interest. They now showed audibly -on which side their partialities had settled. That cry, <i>It -is he of the Diapleuston</i>, opened their mouths, and opened -them widely. But, long before they had chosen their side, -Antis made a very sorry appearance over against Aleph; -and as the citizens watched the lofty composure of the -young man and his princely bearing, and caught a glimpse -of Shaphan and Nathan and the womanly star in the background, -they thought the house was well occupied as it -was. And they proceeded to say so. They became very -free in expressing their minds.</p> - -<p>One cried out scornfully, “Turning out <em>such</em> to put -in <em>such</em>!”</p> - -<p>“Go away!” cried a second, as he shook his fist energetically -at the police.</p> - -<p>“Off with you!” shouted a third, with both hands in -the air, and with the air of one driving away a flock of -geese.</p> - -<p>“Go!” screamed a fourth, “and you may confidentially -tell those who sent you that you were not mean -enough, as well as not strong enough, to do the work set -you!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span></p> - -<p>And so the cries went on in a very amusing (to the -citizens) and significant variety—went on growing in -strength and urgency.</p> - -<p>The captain plainly saw that but one course was open -to him. He must make a virtue of necessity, and withdraw -for the present with as good grace as he could. So -he said that perhaps it would be well for him to report at -headquarters what had been told him, and see what his -principals thought of it. Of course, they did not intend -to establish a den of thieves and murderers. So off he -marched with his detachment—Antis closely following -with a face in which fear and mortification and rage were -contending for the mastery, and greeted as he passed with -many a <i>See the hangdog</i> and other like complimentary -expressions.</p> - -<p>Aleph bowed to the friendly citizens with a smile, got -another hearty cheer in return, and closed the door.</p> - -<p>Shaphan and Nathan were warm in their congratulations. -As for Rachel—her eyes were more lustrous than -ever, and a richer color was in her cheek, but she said -nothing. She did not even look at him.</p> - -<p>The two brothers, however, were by no means sure -that Malus would give over his effort. It was not his -way. He made it a point to carry his point on all occasions. -To be sure, the case as Aleph had presented it -seemed wholly true and reasonable; it even seemed unsafe -to Malus personally to proceed; but then he was a man -of many resources, had grown venturesome by the habit -of success. So they were afraid that it was only a brief -respite that had been obtained.</p> - -<p>Aleph was inclined to the same view. He had little -doubt but that Malus would recognize his antagonist, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> -would find in the fact additional motive to persevere. So -he expressed his regret that it was not possible to remove -Miriam at once to some other house.</p> - -<p>This brought back Rachel from her abstraction. She -went at once to the bedside of Miriam, who clasped her -hands and looked up piteously into the loving eyes that -beamed inquiringly upon her.</p> - -<p>“Do you think that you could bear to be carried home -now?” they asked.</p> - -<p>“Right away! right away!” broke out the poor -woman with unexpected strength of voice. “It is better -to die on the way than to stay here. I should die of fear. -Let <em>him</em> not leave me”—and she turned her eyes beseechingly -toward Aleph.</p> - -<p>He approached, took her hand gently, and said a few -soothing words while he watched her. She grew quiet -and peaceful as her eyes rested on his face.</p> - -<p>“It seems to me,” he at length said, “that she can -better go than stay. She can summon resolution for the -one, but not for the other. The effort may even reinforce -her vitality.”</p> - -<p>“Then let it be done,” said Rachel. “My sedan is -large, and I can take her in my arms, and ease all the -motions, and the bearers will move very carefully. Shall -we do it?”—she bent to the ear of the sick woman.</p> - -<p>Miriam looked at her gratefully, and said with some -hesitation:</p> - -<p>“If <em>he</em> will go.”</p> - -<p>“Certainly he will go,” cried Rachel, “and will walk -by the side of the chair, and will steady it with his hand, -and will every now and then look in upon us through the -curtains to see that we are all right; and when we reach<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> -home he will take you out all carefully and tenderly and -carry you in his strong arms up to your own room and lay -you on your own bed—<em>of course</em> he will. He shall not -have my approbation for what he has done to-day till he -sees us both safe at home”—and the great dewy eyes -flashed half merrily and half timidly on Aleph.</p> - -<p>Aleph bowed. “The approbation of the lady Rachel -is very far from being a matter of indifference to me. So -I will do as she says. We will all go—our friends of the -khans, the leech, and all the servants, save the janitor, -who on demand shall put Malus in possession. Do you -approve?”—he had turned toward Shaphan and his -brother.</p> - -<p>“We do,” said Shaphan, “but before we go into the -street, I wish to mention a fact which perhaps may concern -you. We saw Malus to-day in close talk with Simon, -the famous magician; and later in the day, on going to -your khan, we found that Simon and the beautiful -Helena, whom he sometimes calls his daughter and sometimes -his sister, had established themselves there and had -placarded the neighborhood with invitations to the public -to come and witness his wonderful performances at a -stater a head. For as much more fee he promises to put -the resources of his art at the service of any visitor; -whether he wishes to have his fortune told, or to consult -spirits, or to prosper in love, or in war, or in money-getting.”</p> - -<p>“Have I not heard,” said Rachel anxiously, “that -this magician is an agent of Malus and is suspected of -aiding him in his undertakings by the magical art?”</p> - -<p>“As much is said,” answered the Jew. “The two -men are cousins, though not often seen together. It is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> -supposed, however, by some that there is much secret -intercourse between them, and that the great success of -Malus in his affairs is largely due to his being in league -with evil spirits. This, of course, he stoutly denies. He -laughs at the idea. At the same time he speaks highly -of his cousin, the sorcerer, and does not a little to give -him patronage.”</p> - -<p>“And yet,” said Aleph, “the Law is severe against -sorcerers.”</p> - -<p>“But Malus denies that Simon <em>is</em> a sorcerer in the -sense used in our Scriptures. He does not deal with evil -spirits. He is only a man of great skill and learning, -who has studied nature profoundly and so found out -many scientific means of doing many wonderful things, -and even of subjecting the elemental spirits that inhabit -water and fire and lightnings and stars to his will and the -public service. His spirits are not devils. His sorcery is -only science. And God forbid that the Law should denounce -science. So Malus presents the case. The two -men certainly uphold each other and play into each other’s -hands. I wonder what mischief they are brewing now -between them!”</p> - -<p>“I thank you for this information,” said Aleph. “It -may prove of service to me. But now let us proceed to -the work before us.”</p> - -<p>Under the direction of Rachel, the servants in a few -moments collected the various articles of furniture and -comfort that had been sent from the mansion of Alexander. -She then placed herself in the sedan: and, the -nurse having wrapped Miriam in the bed-coverings, Aleph -carefully took the light burden in his arms and placed it -in the arms of Rachel. As carefully the porters lifted the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> -chair and made their way into the street—preceded by the -two brothers, accompanied by Aleph, and followed by the -remaining servants. In a few moments the house was in -the solitary charge of the janitor, with instructions to wait -a while and, if no one should appear, to lock the door and -carry the key to the police headquarters for the district.</p> - -<p>The escort stopped at the private family entrance. -Here the two brothers took leave; and Aleph, receiving -the sick woman into his arms, followed Rachel into the -mansion, along halls and courts and flights of steps, to -the room the nurse had formerly occupied. When he had -laid his light burden on the bed and had satisfied himself -that she had borne the transfer without serious harm, -though much wearied and needing to be left in profound -quiet, he turned to depart.</p> - -<p>The sick woman beckoned feebly to Rachel—more -with her eye than with her hand. The young lady drew -near and bent to listen to the faint whispers.</p> - -<p>“She wishes me to thank you for what you have done -for her,” said the maiden after a moment, “and to beg -that you will not forsake her now that she is safe among -friends.”</p> - -<p>Aleph looked inquiringly at the lovely interpreter—not -knowing exactly how to interpret the interpretation.</p> - -<p>She suddenly turned to Miriam. “Of course he will -not forsake you. He is coming here often to see you—to -see how you get on. No good physician neglects his patient -till she is well; and not even then if he is wise. Besides, -he wants to talk more with you about Jesus the -Messiah as soon as you are able to hear it. Yes, <em>of course</em> -he is coming, coming often, coming to-morrow. He will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> -suffer in our good opinion if he does not. So now close -your eyes and rest in peace.”</p> - -<p>Instead of doing this, Miriam burst into a flood of -tears and nervous sobbing. Up to this time she could -not fully realize that the dreadful nightmare of her life -was over. But now that she found herself in her own -room, and looking about on the familiar objects, and recognizing -one thing after another that she used to call hers, -and saw only kind faces beaming upon her—all at once a -sense of absolute safety came surging in upon her like a -mighty billow. Ah, what a relief—Heaven in place of -Hell! Then all the flood-gates of feeling gave way. It -was some time before she could control herself enough to -articulate. But at last the words came—though very -faintly:</p> - -<p>“Home at last! Thank God, who has fulfilled the -words of Jesus and sent me the deliverer whom he promised!”</p> - -<p>The great sea went down as suddenly as it had risen. -In a few moments the exhausted woman closed her eyes -and was sleeping peacefully.</p> - -<p>Aleph and Rachel stood together for a little, watching -the peaceful slumber.</p> - -<p>“The experiment seems more successful than I feared,” -said Aleph at length; “I am glad that we made it.”</p> - -<p>Her voice trembled a little, and her color came, as she -said, without turning toward him and with downcast eyes, -“And he to whom the success is due, and who is doubtless -the friend whom Jesus promised to Miriam, has now -the express and warm approbation that I promised him, -and which I have found it hard to keep back till now.”</p> - -<p>Aleph answered, “Your compensation is large—I fear<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> -much too large for doing what to me has been a pleasure -and an education. And yet I cannot decline to accept an -approval which my heart values so highly.”</p> - -<p>In parting he extended his hand. She placed her own -within it. He carried the snowy prisoner in grave and -reverent courtesy to his lips. Was she offended?</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p> - -<h2>IX.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE MAGICIAN.</span></h2> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p>Επι τὰς άφανεῖς καθίστανται, μαντικήν τε καὶ χρησμούς καὶ τοιαῦτα.</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Thucydides</span>, v. 103.</p> - -<p><i>They have recourse to the invisible realm—to necromancy, and -fortune-telling, and such things.</i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span></p> - -<ul> -<li>1. The greatest show on earth.</li> -<li>2. Simon Magus at his best.</li> -<li>3. Also at his worst.</li> -<li>4. Avaunt, Sathanas!</li> -</ul> - -</div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span></p> - -<h3>IX.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE MAGICIAN.</span></h3> - -<p>On his return to the khan, as Aleph entered the -Egyptian quarter, he began to notice the papyrus -placards of which Shaphan had spoken; and, as he advanced, -they became numerous—pasted on walls, booths, -boxes, whatever conspicuous object presented itself. -Had the art of printing been known to Simon, he plainly -would have been a famous advertiser. As it was, he had -made a very liberal use of the scribes of the city. Aleph -stopped to read one immense sheet, beautifully written -on, which a boy was carrying aloft on a pole. This sheet -informed the public that Simon, the greatest magician -and master of occult wisdom in modern times, would exhibit -his wonderful powers this eve at the khan near the -Serapeum at the rate of two drachmas a head. The price -for admission had been put so low in order that the entertainment -might be within reach of all. Let all come. -They would see the greatest show on earth. Whatever -the wizards of Thessaly, the astrologers of Chaldea, the -sybils of Magna Grecia, the soothsayers and diviners of -Etruria, and the sorcerers and necromancers of ancient -Egypt and India could do, he was able to do—and more. -Let all the people come and see. For an extra didrachma<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> -there would be seats reserved. Seats or no seats, the people -were sure to get more than their money’s worth. If any -wanted their fortunes told by the stars; if they wanted -to know the critical times in their lives so that they -might be on their guard; if they wanted to know what -would be the best times for any undertakings they have -in mind, or to have such helps in them as the elemental -spirits can give, or to compound love potions, or to communicate -with distant and even dead friends, or to defend -themselves from enemies—in short, whoever wanted help -of any kind that he could not get by the common and -natural means, now was the opportunity of a life-time; -let him come to Simon, the great magician of the age. -He will not be disappointed. Admission to the court of -the khan one didrachma—seats under the piazza two didrachmas.</p> - -<p>Cimon was found waiting just outside the khan; -from the inside of which came the sound of busy axes -and hammers. He proposed that they should go for their -evening meal to some quiet stall in the neighboring -Egyptian market and there talk over their concerns. Accordingly, -they were soon established in a nook by themselves, -and Aleph proceeded to relate his experiences during -the day thus far.</p> - -<p>In return, Cimon said that the object of Seti in calling -him aside was to ask whether he had as yet seen any -sign of a hostile movement on the part of the son of the -Governor; also whether he knew of any reason why -Malus would favor such a movement. The first question -he answered in the negative: as to the second, he was -obliged to say that there were circumstances that made -it likely that Malus would favor any scheme to their disadvantage<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> -of which he might happen to learn. On this, -Seti said that, knowing well as he did the violent and revengeful -character of the young Roman, he had thought -it best to have his movements watched; and had discovered -that, since the disturbance at the Diapleuston, and -especially within the last twenty-four hours, there had -been considerable stealthy intercourse between him and -Malus. It looked very much as if they were concerting -mischief. After what Cimon had told him he had no -doubt as to the objects of the mischief. Might he ask -whether the circumstances referred to were such as to enlist -Malus thoroughly in any enterprise, however bad, -against himself and his young friend? To this Cimon -had answered that the circumstances were indeed such -that their entire disappearance from the scene would free -Malus from a great peril.</p> - -<p>“Then,” said Seti emphatically, “he will join the -Roman in trying to do you all the mischief he can. He -will have no scruple as to way or means.”</p> - -<p>After Aleph and Rachel had left, Seti had still detained -him for a while with various examples of the unscrupulous -craft and daring of the man—so plainly for -the purpose of putting them on their guard against him -that he was almost on the point of explaining their relations -to Malus in full; especially after Seti had concluded -with asking that for the sake of greater security -they would exchange their present quarters for rooms in -the Serapeum. “It was an unusual thing to do, not to -say unprecedented; but the circumstances were unusual.” -So he begged that they would transfer themselves -without delay. But Cimon thought that he ought -to confer with Aleph about the matter before accepting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> -the offer. So, thanking the priest for it, and promising -to report the next day, he took leave.</p> - -<p>“Would it not have been well,” said Aleph, “to -leave in the hands of the high-priest that parcel which I -saw you making up last evening of the results of your inquiries -as to Malus—I mean for safe keeping?”</p> - -<p>“That is what I did,” replied the Greek; “going -back for that purpose after I had made another visit and -added to the parcel some account of that.”</p> - -<p>He then proceeded to say that, finding it still so early -that he might hope to find the custom house superintendent -at his post, he determined to call upon him and ascertain -the result of the inquiry he had promised to -make. This he did. The official reported that the eminent -merchant Malus had entered the office shortly after -Cimon had left it, and, on hearing of the request to examine -the registers, had kindly offered to solicit a permit -from the Governor. It would be very little trouble, as he -was about going to Bruchium on business of his own. -But he proved unsuccessful. Despite his efforts, the -most he could obtain was a permit for <em>himself</em> to make -the examination in behalf of the stranger; and then only -in case the person should approve himself to him as a -person of standing and consideration. Of course this -ended the matter. Cimon bowed and retired.</p> - -<p>He was not disappointed. From the moment when -he met Malus in the passage he had not counted on any -other issue; though without any idea of the ingenious -way in which it would be brought about.</p> - -<p>“How much will this failure be likely to embarrass -our cause?” inquired Aleph.</p> - -<p>“It makes it impossible for us to charge Malus with a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> -crime against the State; that is, the crime of smuggling, -or of collusion with some custom house officials to defraud -the government.”</p> - -<p>“I understand. You have certified copies of the receipts -at Myos Hermos; also certified copies of the receipts -given for the same goods by Malus as harbor-master -here; so that you know that Malus has received all -the goods sent. If any of these do not appear on the -registers here, it must be because he has brought them -into the city without passing them through the custom -house, or, if through the custom house, is in conspiracy -with some of its officials to defraud the State—a crime -more likely to get prompt attention than one that is -merely against an individual—and a foreigner.”</p> - -<p>“Exactly. Still our case, as it now stands, would -naturally compel a formal examination of the registers: -for we can prove that Malus has received everything up -to the gates of the custom house. Beyond the gates he -declares himself to have received much less—that is, -much has been lost in passing through the custom house. -This is really charging its officials with crime. Such a -charge, it would seem, must compel an examination of -the registers. Still I would have been glad to set the offense -against the State in the foreground of the battle.”</p> - -<p>“Then,” said Aleph, “supposing the registry accounts -to agree with ours, Malus would be liable to refund -the value of the missing goods according to the -prices ruling at the times they were received, and to add -to this a considerable sum on nearly every one of the -many other lots consigned to him for thirty years on account -of false statements as to the duties imposed and -the prices current—in regard to both of which you have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> -gained sufficient information. Have you estimated what -the whole indebtedness amounts to?”</p> - -<p>“Not closely; but it must amount to an immense -sum. And then, if Malus should incidentally be convicted -of smuggling, half of the large sum forfeited by -the Roman law would fall to the party establishing the -fact. If the courts are equitable our success means the -ruin of Malus (or what he would consider such)—especially -as it would bring upon him the claims of many -other persons whom he has wronged, but who hitherto -have been afraid to contend with him. Of course a man -with so much at stake must be expected to make great -efforts to secure himself; and such a man as Malus will -stop at nothing, however criminal, that promises to help -him. By this time, no doubt, he is wide awake.”</p> - -<p>“Do you suppose,” inquired Aleph after a moment’s -silence, “that the exhibition this evening is inspired by -him and covers some designs against us?”</p> - -<p>“I fear so,” said Cimon, moving uneasily, “though -I do not see clearly how it can be made to serve his purpose. -I would that we and our belongings were well in -the Serapeum. But it is now too late in the day to -make a change: all that we can do is to be wary while remaining -for the night at the khan.”</p> - -<p>“I should have some scruples about being present at -a professedly magical exhibition if it were not practically -involuntary. But, since we have no choice in the matter, -we may at least get the advantage of noticing the -contrast between the miracles of Jesus as they have been -reported to us and the marvels of the most famous magician -of our time—for such I understand he is considered.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Try to imagine some advantage to his cousin Malus -in this movement,” suggested Cimon.</p> - -<p>“Is it not supposable that Malus is very superstitious -(as I believe such men are apt to be) and has great confidence -in the magic art, and hopes to weave about us -some hindering if not destructive spell, enlisting against -us demoniacal forces? Perhaps, too, he proposes to -frighten us from our purpose by astrological and other -predictions of impending evil: also will seek to enlarge -his knowledge of us by asking for the facts needed for -constructing a horoscope.”</p> - -<p>“That will do very well for a guess,” said Cimon. -“And since we are guessing I will make a small contribution. -Perhaps the darkness which is sure to accompany -the exhibition at some stage will be used for an attack -on us bodily. This can be imputed to spirits. If I -should see among the spectators any persons with villainous -and cut-throat faces, I should feel called on to be on -the watch.”</p> - -<p>During this conversation their simple meal had been -brought and dispatched (not without an audible thanksgiving); -and Cimon now proposed that they should at -once return to the khan and acquaint themselves with -their new surroundings somewhat in advance of the evening’s -performance.</p> - -<p>The sun was about setting, and many people were already -collected about the gate, reading the large poster -that hung upon it and comparing views and expectations, -when our friends came up. They were at once admitted -as being guests of the establishment.</p> - -<p>They found a platform erected in the middle of the -court, and closely drawn about by curtains on which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> -were various cabalistic characters. From within issued a -smoke, an odor as of strange drugs, a hissing sound as of -boiling, faint flashes of light, and various sounds as of -people moving about and arranging. Around the stage, -at a small distance, hurdles had been set up—also about -the piazza. The only break in these two lines of hurdles -was opposite the room which Cimon and Aleph occupied. -Here were two gates giving access from the -stage to the piazza by means of a flight of steps from the -former.</p> - -<p>“What does this mean?” thought our two friends. -“Did it <em>happen</em> so?”</p> - -<p>In passing to their room along the piazza they found -benches, each of which could seat four persons, standing -before each room, but set forward so as to allow free passage -behind them. Before their own door, however, -stood only a single short bench seating only two persons. -Right before this seat, under the eaves of the piazza, -hung a single lighted lamp—the only lamp visible anywhere.</p> - -<p>“And what does all this mean?” thought our friends. -“Does it mean honor to us as the guests of the house or -to make us easier marks for the archer?”</p> - -<p>Without stopping to answer such questions they unlocked -their door; and, entering, held their usual evening -devotions with no appearance of distraction or hurry. -When they came out, staff in hand, and took seats on the -bench before the door, they found that the shadows had -considerably deepened, and the signs of activity within -the curtained stage had considerably increased. As yet -no spectators had been admitted.</p> - -<p>Soon, however, people began to enter the court:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> -then, after a while, the piazza began to be occupied. -Our friends watched narrowly every successive arrival as -long as the deepening shadows allowed; but it soon became -impossible to form any idea of faces and figures. -But they were very many—so many at last that there -seemed to be no more standing room in the court, nor -sitting room under the piazza. The seats nearest them, -on the right and left, somehow came to be occupied last, -and though Aleph bent specially on them his young -searching eyes, the light had become too dim to be of service. -He then noticed for the first time that the lamp -before him had protruding sides that fended off the rays -to the right and left. Himself and companion would -have the sole benefit of the illumination. Would it be a -benefit?</p> - -<p>A bell tinkled. Up went the stage curtains. In the -midst of a blaze of light stood a man of unusual stature. -His beard was long and black, and long black locks hung -below the close-fitting black cap. A long black mantle -covered with geometrical and other figures hung gracefully -from his shoulders. Supreme confidence in his -own powers and position breathed in his whole attitude -and expression. His air was that of an acknowledged -sage. He stood motionless for a few moments as if to allow -the people a full opportunity to see what a dignified -and promising person was before them. He then turned -quietly and took a cool survey of the packed court and of -the piazza beyond as if to acquaint himself with the situation—to -see how many persons and what sort of persons -made up his audience. His survey ended with his -confronting Cimon and Aleph for a moment.</p> - -<p>A little back of this remarkable figure stood another<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> -scarcely less noticeable—a beautiful woman richly, -though scantily, dressed, in the Greek fashion. Behind -her, at the two corners of the platform, stood two Nubians, -black as midnight, who could scarcely be said to -be dressed at all. Between these latter stood a table on -which was a seething cauldron over a brazier of live coals—also -a large shallow dish. Two stools and a number of -tools were under the table.</p> - -<p>Simon turned and bowed low to Helena—for that was -the Aspasia-like woman near him. Then, turning to the -people:</p> - -<p>“I always make it a point,” said he, “to begin with -acknowledging my obligations to my sister, to whom I am -indebted for much of my success.”</p> - -<p>He then added, “I wish it to be distinctly understood -at the outset that a part of what I shall do this evening -is only skillful illusion; another part will be done simply -by means of my acquaintance with the more mysterious -laws and forces of Nature; a third part will be done by -the help of powerful spirits whom I have subjected, to a -certain extent, by my art, but who do not belong to that -class of spirits with whom intercourse is forbidden.”</p> - -<p>He at once began to draw a ribbon from his mouth. -He drew and drew—apparently there was no end to the -stock of ribbons within him. At last, with a gesture of -impatience, he broke off the endless thing at his lips, -and gulped down the remainder. He then went to the -brazier of glowing coals and proceeded to eat them as so -much fruit—to eat with excellent appetite.</p> - -<p>Suddenly turning from this feast, he took up the -large dish on the table and poured out from it a quantity -of sand on the platform. He completely reversed the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> -dish and shook it. He then replaced the sand, inserted -in it a small seed, spread his two hands over the dish, and -waited for what might happen. What happened was a -little olive tree—as everybody could see as soon as Simon -had removed his hands and held up the dish for general -view. He then set down the dish on the floor, covered it -for a moment with a corner of his mantle, and then held -it up to view again. Lo, the little olive of a few inches -had doubled its size. Once more he covered it from view. -On removing his robe, he showed to the people a plant -so large that its roots had crowded out all the sand from -the vessel and protruded from it on all sides. Using another -corner of the mantle, he reversed the process. The -great plant dwindled by successive stages into the original -seed which was held up for the people to see.</p> - -<p>Taking the same dish, shaking the sand out of it, -even taking the pains to wipe it vigorously with one corner -of his robe, he reversed it on the floor. Muttering a -few words over it, he lifted it and a cat appeared. He -replaced the dish over the cat; after a moment lifted -again, and behold, a dog instead of a cat. Replacing the -dish over the dog, and after a moment lifting it again, -he astonished the people with the sight of a litter of puppies. -Reversing the process, he produced in succession -the dog, the cat, and the empty dish.</p> - -<p>He concluded this part of the entertainment by -drawing a sword from under his mantle and swallowing -it.</p> - -<p>Next, Simon seated himself at the table, and laid the -tips of his fingers upon it. Helena set a seat by his side -and did the same. The two Nubians came forward, and, -having removed the brazier, seated themselves on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> -table itself. In a few moments it began to tip, and finally -fell to swaying and leaping so violently that the blacks -were unable to keep their seats, though they struggled -hard to do so. Having dislodged the two bulky fellows, -the table rose several feet into the air and remained suspended; -and the brazier with its cauldron rose gently -after it and resumed its old place without any disturbance -of their contents—and all the while raps and musical -sounds both over and under the table were heard. The -Nubians caught hold of the legs of the table and tried -with all their might to pull it down; whereupon it rose -still higher, dragging the men after it. Simon made a -downward pass with his hand, and at once it descended -gently and noiselessly to the floor.</p> - -<p>Again Helena seated herself. Simon approached, -took hold of both her hands, and looked steadily into her -eyes. Shortly, relinquishing her hands, he made passes -downward along her arms. Gradually her eyelids drew -together and she slept.</p> - -<p>“Now tell us what you see,” said Simon.</p> - -<p>“I see,” said she, slowly, and as if looking afar, “a -beautiful country of mountains and green valleys and -crystal streams, sprinkled with flocks and herds and -white-faced keepers.”</p> - -<p>“Look again. What do you see now?” continued -the magician.</p> - -<p>“I see,” replied Helena, “a magnificent palace -perched on an eminence. It is of stone; and it has -around it walls and towers; and into its court-yard is -now coming a caravan dusty and wayworn—loaded horses -and mules and camels; and, escorting them, many armed -horsemen before and behind.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Enter the palace. What see you now?” continued -the soothsayer.</p> - -<p>“I see steps of marble, doors of brass, a lofty hall -with sculptures and suits of armor, sumptuous apartments -after apartments—a library in which are four persons; -two sitting on a couch, and two standing before -them. The first two are a man and woman venerable -with white locks, but with no other signs of great age: -the other two, also a man and woman, are much younger -and still in the fullness of mature life. All are of -princely features and bearing.”</p> - -<p>“What are they doing?” demanded Simon.</p> - -<p>“The younger couple are untying tablets bound about -with a black ribbon. They are now reading—plainly -with surprise and grief.”</p> - -<p>“Approach and read with them,” said Simon.</p> - -<p>“I cannot read. The characters are strange. Besides, -tears have fallen copiously on them,” said the -woman.</p> - -<p>Simon reversed his passes, and the woman, giving a -great sigh, opened her eyes.</p> - -<p>He then came forward to the edge of the stage next -to our friends.</p> - -<p>“We come now,” said he, “to something very important. -It has been known from remotest times that it -is possible to determine from the stars the general character -of a man’s fortunes, the critical times in his life, -the sort of dangers to which he will be most exposed. -Becoming acquainted with these, he can take precautions -accordingly. For example, if one finds that to-morrow -will be a time of special peril to him, and that the peril -will come from a city, he can leave the city at once and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> -so secure himself. So it is very important that each one -of you inform himself in advance all about these critical -and dangerous times that are sure to come to him. Do -not neglect this opportunity of consulting the stars. It -is the opportunity of a life-time. For the very small -consideration of only one gold stater he can have the -benefit of my profound studies among the stars, studies -which I can assure you have been profounder and more -successful than those of any other man, not excepting -Hermes Trismegistus himself. All you have to do is to -hand me the piece of gold, together with the exact time -and place of your birth, and I will construct the twelve -Heavenly Houses, and find the places of the planets -therein, and take account of their mutual bearings and -modifications, and so make out for you a horoscope that -will tell you just what is to be done in every trying situation -as long as you live. And you will live twice as long -for it. Now, who will, at the trifling expense I have -mentioned, protect himself from great harm and secure -to himself wonderful advantages?”</p> - -<p>He folded his arms and waited. But no one responded. -Either there was not sufficient faith in the -people, or they had already invested in horoscopes, or the -gold piece required was wanting. The astrologer expressed -surprise at this backwardness to seize the splendid -opportunity they were having for having their fortunes -told by the truth-telling stars through their most -illustrious interpreter. It was a great mistake. They -would surely regret it. He was only passing through the -city on his way to Rome at the invitation of the Emperor -Tiberius, and when he should return, if ever, it was impossible -to say. What was the difficulty? Was it the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> -ready money demanded? Well, he would make it easy -for poor people. They might pay him on delivery of the -horoscope and its interpretation. Let them hand in their -names and the facts called for, and he would trust them.</p> - -<p>This brought out the people in the court. Not a few -signified their readiness to accept the new offer; and the -Nubians, passing along the inner hurdles with papyrus -and stylus, soon collected quite a catalogue of names and -appropriate particulars. This seemed very satisfactory -to Simon.</p> - -<p>He then looked off toward the piazza from whose seats -no response to his appeal had yet come. He was now -ready to attend to them. It was kind in them to wait -till the less favored class had been cared for. Now let -the piazza speak. Though they did not belong to the -impecunious class, he would make no distinction between -the rich and poor, but would serve all on the same terms. -And he walked about the edge of the platform on all -sides with one hand behind his ear.</p> - -<p>“Your voices are too feeble,” he at length exclaimed; -“I must get nearer,” and he descended from -the stage by the flight of steps in front of Cimon and -Aleph, opened the wicket and stepped on the piazza.</p> - -<p>“Perhaps these friends, one of whom seems to me to -have come from the native land of astrology and may -therefore be presumed to know how potent in human affairs -the stars are, will allow me to construct figures for -them. Somehow I feel a presentiment as I stand near -this young man (and I have never known such presentiments -deceive me), that he is entering a critical period in -his fortunes, and will need all the light my art can throw -on the character of the perils surrounding him and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> -way of escape. If he will tell me the exact date and place -of his birth, I can in a few moments, by means of a great -improvement on old methods, make for him a planetary -construction that will cover the next few days and be of -immense service to him. I trust he believes in the Chaldean -science?”</p> - -<p>“At present I express neither assent nor dissent,” -said Aleph; “I only say that I have no occasion for your -art. If perils come I propose to seek help, not from the -stars, but from beyond them.”</p> - -<p>This was said in so decisive a tone as to forbid further -solicitation.</p> - -<p>Simon merely added in a voice which plainly betrayed -resentment, “Perhaps the young man is aware that the -stars are apt to be hostile to those who distinctly refuse -them. I foresee that they will be hostile to him.” And, -swaying his long loose mantle against the knees of Aleph -as he turned, he stalked back to his place on the platform.</p> - -<p>There, folding his arms and looking upward intently -as if carefully perusing the sky at different points, he remained -silent for a while. He then suddenly exclaimed -in a voice of thunder, “Oh, the angry aspects! Oh, the -threatening configurations! Oh, the malignant Saturn -in Aries shooting his rays aslant yonder!”—and he -pointed his finger toward the part of the piazza which he -had just left. He then turned to the people and said -with a voice that seemed oppressed by some mighty burden, -“You have just heard me say that sometimes when -I am very near a person, and especially if my robe touches -him, there comes upon me a presentiment in regard to -him which is, in a measure, a substitute for a horoscope—especially<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> -if at once followed by such a consultation of -the heavens as I have just now given.”</p> - -<p>“Tell us what you have discovered,” cried a voice -from the court.</p> - -<p>“I see,” he cried, “his enterprise miscarrying, his -friends forsaking him, his enemies surrounding him. -Flight alone will save him. And let him not linger. -The black cloud has settled till it touches him—let him -rush from under it. The walls of the house have crept -together till they press him on every side—let him leap -forth before it is too late. The walls of the city have -crowded in upon him till the four gates almost meet one -another—let him struggle through this or that as best he -can, and flee, <em>flee</em>. Flee on the swift Bactrian dromedary, -flee on the swift galley with sails and oars, flee as -does the ostrich before the Arabian with both feet and -wings, flee as do the sands of the desert before the hot -Simoom. Else the Chaldean home will wail for the son -that never returns.”</p> - -<p>This he said with the air of a prophet—his tall form -strained to the utmost, his hands lifted, and his voice urgent -and full of horror. He retained his tragic attitude -and aspect for a little after he had ceased speaking. -Meanwhile Helena had stolen up to him, and stood looking -skyward as if trying to see what he saw. Suddenly -he grasped her arm with one hand and with the other -pointed with anxious look toward various parts of the -sky: all the while speaking to her in a low voice, as if -explaining what they saw. He had an apt scholar. She -gave frequent nods of assent, and finally clasped and -wrung her hands with as dismayed an air as his own.</p> - -<p>All this seemed to profoundly impress the people in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> -the court, on whose upturned faces the many lights of the -stage were strongly shining. They gazed at the astrologer -with open mouths: they seemed awe-struck at his -fiery words and majestic bearing. He glanced from there -to Aleph—was it to see whether the same effect had been -produced on him? At all events he saw none. A perfect -composure reigned in the face and attitude of the -young man. Simon was both disconcerted and angry—as -was plain enough to the sharp young eyes that never -left him.</p> - -<p>“I have no doubt,” cried he, after an evident effort -to recover himself, “that nearly all my friends under the -piazza are more respectful to the Celestial Science than -the one whose danger and misfortunes have just been revealed -to me. But, as time presses, I will not ask them -to apply for horoscopes to-night. Let them come to me -as privately as they choose at my rooms here for the next -few days; and it will be strange as well as pitiful if the -book of the stars does not read more pleasantly for them -than it has done for one this evening.”</p> - -<p>He made a sign to the Nubians. They hastened to -fan the coals in the brazier; and, when the cauldron had -begun to seethe again, he approached and dropped in -something that made the contents hiss and leap as if they -would burst away from the vessel. He then drew from -under his mantle a sheet of papyrus covered with writing, -dipped the manuscript into the cauldron, lighted it at the -coals, waved it toward the four points till it was wholly -consumed.</p> - -<p>He made another sign to Helena. She went to one of -the looped-up curtains and drew from a fold in it with an -air of profound reverence—a wand. This, with averted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> -eyes, she brought to Simon: then sank on her knees and -covered her eyes with her hand. Whereupon the blacks -came up hastily and crouched behind her with all the -signs of abject fear. Dipping the end of the wand in the -cauldron, the magician proceeded to describe with it a -large circle about them all. Dipping again, he traced -just within the circle and all around it a variety of characters—allowing -no break, however small, in the continuity -of the tracing. The lines became gradually luminous—first -the circumference of the circle, then the -endless chain of mystic characters within.</p> - -<p>“The Ephesian Letters,” whispered Cimon to Aleph.</p> - -<p>There was an intense hush of fearful expectation.</p> - -<p>“I am now about,” the magician cried in his gravest -tones, “to summon here mighty genii and elemental -spirits, both to show you the resources of my art, and to -convince as many of you as need convincing (and the -number of such persons is not small in these days) of the -reality of a world of invisible beings possessing great -powers. Many of these spirits are exceedingly mischievous -as well as mighty, and would be glad to destroy us -all. But they dare not cross this circle, and especially -the characters traced just within it—though they would -do so if they could find the least break in the lines. I am -also able to protect those of you without this circle—provided -certain conditions are complied with. All seats -under the piazza must be set forward from the wall so as -to allow free passage behind them for the spirits: and in -addition every one must remain quietly in his place, -whatever may happen or seem to be happening, till I dismiss -you. To all complying with these conditions and -keeping a reverent attitude of mind toward the spirits, I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> -can promise entire safety. To others I can promise nothing. -Solomon himself could promise nothing. I wish -all of you to distinctly understand that I will not be responsible -for even the lives of any who violate these conditions. -I warn you that we are about to deal with very -dangerous beings, and that I can only control them under -certain provisos. If any man is disposed to defy -these let him look to himself.”</p> - -<p>Both Cimon and Aleph had for some time noticed that -the single lighted lamp that hung just before them was -getting dimmer; and so were not surprised when it flickered -and expired while the magician was speaking.</p> - -<p>The man was now looking at his best. He seemed to -have reserved himself for this time. His commanding -stature, his powerful and oracular face, and his stately -bearing enriched by the mysterious and becoming robes -of his art, shone out very impressively under the brilliant -lights of the stage. He stood in the centre of his magical -circle, with his wand in his hand. He cast the wand -on the floor. Lo, a serpent, gliding along with erect and -hissing head till it came to the luminous belt of Ephesian -Letters! There it stopped; and then moved along the -belt slowly, without touching it, as if looking for some -break in it, till it reached the point whence it started. -Then with depressed head it moved back silently to Simon, -who took it by the tail, and lo, he had again a wand -in his hand.</p> - -<p>He extended it toward the East and called out with a -great voice in that direction certain uncouth names, saying:</p> - -<p>“Genii, spirits elemental of air, of fire, of earth, and -of water! By the bond between us, by this wand which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> -ye know, by the spells I have woven, by this magic circle -in which I stand, I summon you, <em>I summon you</em>!”</p> - -<p>He then turned toward the other cardinal points, repeating -to each the same formula, though appealing to -different personal names. At once there fell on the ear -the faint beat of distant wings. Shadows began to flit -through the air, and monstrous shapes vaguely showed -themselves on the walls and roofs of the khan. Then -the lights on the stage burned blue, grew feeble, flickered, -went out. Everything was now in profound darkness—save -that on the stage the circumference of the -circle with its inlying border of mystic characters was become -a glowing belt that cast a wierd light on the magician -and his cowering companions, but seemed to have no -power of illuminating beyond the stage. Now the beat -of wings was heard more distinctly. It grew apace. -Soon it was like the rush of winds—high in the air above -the stage, and at various points in the passage left behind -the seats under the piazza. There it swept along with -terrific force—whistling and howling. Into these noises -others immediately insinuated themselves. Strange -whisperings and mutterings became audible. These gradually -passed into raps, detonations, groans, shrieks; and -occasionally a yell so fierce and demoniacal as to be appalling, -rent the air and the ear.</p> - -<p>But the chief place of commotion was the edge of the -platform, just outside of the fiery zone. Here, all the -noises that were scattered elsewhere were condensed and -intensified into the roar of a tempest. To fiendish -laughs and screeches and yells that made the ear tingle -were added the bayings of many sorts of wild beasts when -hot after their prey. It seemed as if the spirits were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> -crowding to get at the magician, and tear him limb from -limb, and were chafed to madness on being prevented by -the magic circle. It was the many-voiced sea, lashed into -fury, leaping in spray and thunder on a rock-bound coast. -What a carnival! Was hell emptied? And through the -blackness and the uproar and the fury, pierced voices -like swords—voices that cried:</p> - -<p>“We are here, great Master, to do thy bidding. Lo, -we are here!”</p> - -<p>At no time during the evening had Cimon, or even -Aleph with his younger eyes, been able to see who occupied -the adjoining seats on their right and left. These -seats had not been taken till it had become too dark to -distinguish faces or even figures: and the single lamp before -themselves was so ensconced among the ornaments -of the eaves of the piazza that it threw no light to either -side. But from both sides they occasionally caught low -sounds of movements and voices; and knew very well that -they had neighbors. And they felt quite sure that if an -attack should be made upon them it would come from -those nearest to them. So, as soon as the lights had all -gone out, after a moment’s whispered conference together, -they noiselessly set their seat back against the -door of their room, and as noiselessly took stand in front -of it and facing it, but at a distance from it of several -feet—and waited for what might happen.</p> - -<p>At the height of the uproar and darkness, their ears -caught a stealthy movement at both right and left; and -then the careful footfall of unsandalled feet. A moment -more, and there was a stumbling against the seat they had -left, as of men who had been expecting a clear passage; -while they felt the presence of others just before them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> -At once came a hasty succession of heavy blows, as of -bludgeons, on the seat and door behind it. Two heavy -thuds promptly followed, and as many groans and falls: -for both Cimon and Aleph had struck with clenched -hands into the dark, and had encountered something -more substantial than spirits. This done, they stepped -back to their former places and waited for what might -yet follow. Nothing followed—save the sound of footsteps -hastily retreating to the right and left. And, all at -once, the hubbub of wierd noises began to lull; the whispers -and howls and other diabolic sounds dwindled rapidly; -in a few moments the rush of departing wings had -died away in the distance.</p> - -<p>“Now go in peace,” cried the magician. “If any -have been injured by the Powers I have summoned, it is -because they did not obey my directions. Their blood be -on their own heads. I take you to witness that I am not -responsible.”</p> - -<p>The court and piazza were soon emptied. The people -had been too soundly frightened to stand on the order of -their going; and rushed out pell-mell through the darkness—overturning -benches and hurdles and one another.</p> - -<p>During this final uproar, which was almost as great as -the spirits had made, Aleph felt a hand on his shoulder, -heard a whisper at his ear—“Shaphan and Nathan.”</p> - -<p>“Welcome,” he whispered back. “Come into our -room.”</p> - -<p>They removed the seat, unlocked the door, and with -the aid of the two Jews dragged inside the bodies which -their feet had encountered on the floor. Closing the -door, they struck a light and proceeded to examine their -still insensible assailants. In one of them Aleph had no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> -difficulty in recognizing Antis: in the other Shaphan and -his brother knew Draco, a noted bully of the city, at -present teacher of fence at the Museum, formerly a -trainer of gladiators at Rome, and well known as a dissipated -companion of the son of the Governor. Having -satisfied themselves that the men were not seriously injured, -and needed only the open air to fully recover, they -drew them out again on the piazza and there left them to -themselves—or their friends.</p> - -<p>The brothers then explained that the lady Rachel had -sent a servant to them after their return home to recall -them; and had begged that they would be present at the -khan in the evening with some of the family servants and -give aid to her friends if they should have need. But -various circumstances had delayed them so that they did -not arrive till after the performance had begun; when -they found no admission to the piazza, and the court so -densely packed that it was almost impossible to wedge -their way to the neighborhood of Aleph and Cimon. -This, however, in the course of the evening they had, by -dint of constant effort, succeeded in doing, and were quite -near when the assault was made and the assembly broke -up. They then dashed violently through the crowd, and -over the hurdles—fearing the worst, for they had heard -the blows, the groans, and the heavy falls. Thank -Heaven, it was the enemy that fell!</p> - -<p>Very cordial acknowledgments were made to the -friendly Jews. In addition, Aleph sat down and wrote -on a piece of papyrus the following:</p> - -<p>“Aleph the Chaldean, to the daughter of Alexander, -sends greeting:</p> - -<p>“This is to express my sense of the kindness you have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> -shown to the eastern strangers in sending help to them -this night in their supposed danger. And truly the danger -was considerable; but through the favor of the Most -High we have escaped the assault made upon us, and have -come to understand better than before the difference between -the marvels of Jesus and the marvels of the magician. -The latter are due partly to illusion and ventriloquism, -partly to occult natural law, and partly to diabolism. -They are favored by darkness and distance, depend -on preparations and compacts and machinery, proceed -from an unworthy person, seek unworthy objects, are -aided by unworthy Powers, are connected with phenomena -that betray a diabolic origin, and are wholly -depraving and mischievous in their tendency.</p> - -<p>“When the bearers of this give you an account of what -they have seen and heard, you will, I doubt not, see new -reason to believe in Him who casts out devils instead of -invoking them.</p> - -<p>“May the God of Abraham and Daniel, the Chaldeans, -keep you!</p> - -<p>“Farewell!”</p> - -<p>When the Jews stepped out on the piazza they found -that the bodies were no longer there. Doubtless they -had recovered consciousness and taken themselves off.</p> - -<p>Magic and miracle! Two very different things, -thought Aleph again, as he recalled, in the solitude to -which he was now left, the account which Nathan had -given of the storm on the Sea of Galilee.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Did ever night with blacker wing</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Swoop down upon the sea?</div> -<div class="verse">Did ever storm with fiercer flail</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Smite Sea of Galilee?</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">God help yon bubble bark that leaps</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Against a rayless sky—</div> -<div class="verse">God help yon bubble bark flung back</div> -<div class="verse indent1">In rayless gulfs to die!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">The gates of hell are open wide,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Its fiends outscream the blast;</div> -<div class="verse">“Up with the bubble boat on high!</div> -<div class="verse indent1">This plunge shall be the last.”</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Alas, alas! ye helpless men</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Who to the skies are tost—</div> -<div class="verse">Just hanging to the lion’s mane,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">What can ye be but lost?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Yet cry for help—<i>Where is the <span class="smcap">King</span>?</i>—</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Ye have not far to seek;</div> -<div class="verse">Within your very bark is One</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Who storms to calms can speak.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">He speaks—at once the stars look down</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Upon a waveless sea;</div> -<div class="verse">The peace of God is in thy winds,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">O breathless Galilee!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">And ever when we cry through storms,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">To Christ our cry should be;</div> -<div class="verse">Low bow all waves and winds and fiends</div> -<div class="verse indent1">To Him of Galilee.</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span></p> - -<h2>X.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE ARENA.</span></h2> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p>Μεγάλα πρήγματα μεγάλοσι κινδύνοιισι.</p> - -<p class="right">—<span class="smcap">Herodotus</span>, vii. 50.</p> - -<p><i>Great results from great dangers.</i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span></p> - -<ul> -<li>1. An anxious friend.</li> -<li>2. Seti defends himself.</li> -<li>3. So does Aleph.</li> -<li>4. Who is to blame?</li> -</ul> - -</div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span></p> - -<h3>X.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE ARENA.</span></h3> - -<p>An evening of such experiences as we have just described -would be followed by a sleepless night in -the case of most persons at the present day. But those -were adventurous times; the element of uncertainty and -peril entered into them far more largely than it does into -our daily life; and the habit of coolly accepting the situation -and accommodating themselves to it was common -among men of standing and courage. So the reader must -not be surprised to learn that our friends, after thanking -Heaven for their preservation, slept about as soundly -through the night as if they had suffered no narrow escape -and were anticipating nothing but safety on the morrow.</p> - -<p>Their morning devotions and meal had been finished, -and they were conferring as to Seti’s proposal that they -should remove to the Serapeum, when a knock was heard -on their door, and the high priest himself made his appearance.</p> - -<p>“What means all this?” he exclaimed, as he closed -the door behind him and took the rude stool which was -all that Aleph had to offer him; “the whole khan behind -time, everything in a litter, the staging in the court in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> -the last stages of a debauch; above all the clubs before -your door and the battered state of the door itself, to say -nothing of the broken seat before it!”</p> - -<p>Cimon explained.</p> - -<p>“Now you see why I am here so early this morning,” -resumed the priest. “My thoughts were so full of apprehension -on your account during the night that I could -not sleep; and I determined that as soon as possible in -the morning I would seek you out and again urge you to -remove at once to the Serapeum. This evidently is no -place for you. It is plain that Malus and the son of the -governor have gotten into communication with each -other and have joined their forces—plain that the chief -object of the doings here last night was a three-fold assault -on you through your fears, through magical powers, -and through human assassins. These were the three -strings to their bow. They hoped that if the others -failed the clubs of Draco and his helpers would do the -work and the magical powers which you defied take all -the blame of it. You see with what characters you have -to deal. Behold a fair sample of what these men are capable -of doing. So come to the Serapeum without delay.”</p> - -<p>“We were speaking of your kind offer just as you -came in,” said Cimon, “and were debating whether we -could properly accept it; and had about come to the conclusion -that we could not do so without dragging the -only friends we have in Alexandria into trouble with -powerful people—which would be a poor return for the -kindness we have received.”</p> - -<p>“Leave me to judge,” returned Seti coolly, “as to -the amount of trouble I can afford to be at for your sake.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> -The offer I make is made freely in view of the circumstances.”</p> - -<p>“We have been afraid,” said Aleph, “that your view -of the circumstances is not as complete as it should be before -we allow your generous kindness to embroil you with -perhaps the government itself. You already know that -Malus supposes himself seriously in danger from us, and -that so we are seriously in danger from him. But you -have not known distinctly who we are, and what we propose -to do. As to who we are, we are still compelled to -be silent; but it is fitting that you learn now the nature -of Cimon’s relations to Malus. Cimon is the dear friend -and business manager of an eastern trader who for many -years has had large dealings with Malus—consigning to -him a large amount of costly eastern goods yearly. We -now find, what has long been suspected, that the consignee -has made false returns as to the amount of goods -received, and prices obtained for them, and the duties -levied on them at this port. Complete proof of this, as -we suppose, is contained in the parcel of papers put into -your hands yesterday. We also cannot doubt that a comparison -of these papers with the custom house registers -(which comparison we have not been able to make) would -show that Malus has defrauded the government as well as -ourselves, and perhaps that officials are in collusion with -him. The interests he has at stake, therefore, are so -large that he is sure to be as bitterly hostile to our friends -as to us. And besides, as you see, he seems to have secured -a hold of some sort on the Roman authorities themselves. -So the man who undertakes to befriend us undertakes -a great deal. We are very reluctant to embroil -you, and perhaps the family of the Alabarch in so serious<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> -a trouble. On this account we have refrained from asking -advice from you in regard to our preliminary movements.”</p> - -<p>“The case as stated by you,” replied Seti, still with -the utmost coolness, “is not worse than I supposed; and -I still press my invitation. Trouble there will be, no -doubt; but, then, if I do not accept this trouble I shall -have a greater from another quarter; for my granddaughter -sent a messenger to me this morning as soon as -it was light to stir me up to do what I am now doing. If -I were to be backward in this matter,” he added with a -smile, “I am afraid she would rouse all my students -against me; which she could easily do, for she is a queen -to P. Cornelius. Moreover, it is barely possible that -both Alexander and myself have just a little of that generous -indignation at wickedness that led certain persons -of our acquaintance to stand up for us without counting -the cost. Who gave Greeks and Chaldeans a monopoly -of that sort of thing? No, friends, you must not ask -me to do what you would not, I am confident, be willing -to do yourselves.”</p> - -<p>Of course nothing more was to be said. And our -friends said nothing more—save thanks. It was agreed -that they should send their effects at once to the Serapeum -by certain servants whom Seti had left without, -and follow them in person in the course of the day.</p> - -<p>This matter being disposed of, Seti continued, “Now -tell me what steps you have taken to bring that arch-rogue -to justice.”</p> - -<p>“I have done nothing,” said Cimon, “save to collect -evidence; and have been uncertain what further steps to -take.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span></p> - -<p>“You should put your proofs at once in the hands of -Alexander’s lawyer. If he judges them sufficient for this -latitude and for a Roman Court (for a Roman Court it -must be, since the case is between a Greek and a Jew), -let him put things in train without delay. You could -find no more skillful advocate; and he has the further -advantage, somewhat rare in his profession, of being an -honest man. This in itself will instinctively enlist him -against such a rogue as Malus. He will do all he can to -bring the fellow to justice.”</p> - -<p>“Can you tell me what the prospects for justice in a -Roman Court are?”</p> - -<p>“The Roman law, in general, is just; but a case has -to be very clear or the strong rogues, in Alexandria as -elsewhere, will manage to escape by means of the evasions, -delays, appeals, and various tricks that are purchasable -by the free use of money. It is said that all -things are venal at Rome. I am afraid the state of things -is no better in Alexandria. Malus will use money freely—can -you do the same?”</p> - -<p>“That depends,” said Cimon. “For such purposes -as the collecting of evidence and the securing of the -ablest advocate that can be had, I say <i>Yes</i> to your question. -For the purpose of bribing the judges, I say -<i>No</i>.”</p> - -<p>“This is the answer I expected from you. But your -enemy has no scruples. He will have the freedom of all -means—righteous and unrighteous. In this respect he -has much the advantage over you—always provided that -there is no God, and that there is a devil. But in certain -other important respects you have an advantage over -him.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Will you tell us in what?” suggested Aleph.</p> - -<p>“First, in the intrinsic justice of your cause; for I -have no doubt that the case is as you have stated it. -Next, the evil repute of Malus among the better class of -people is against him. They all know that he is capable -of doing just the sort of thing you charge against him—that, -in fact, he has done it in multitudes of cases and has -only escaped by the terror which he inspires in people too -weak financially and otherwise to contend with him. It -is worth while for even Roman judges to make some account -of the higher grades of public opinion. Further, -it would not be strange if many of the small victims of -Malus should summon courage in the presence of so large -a suit as yours to appear against him with an amount of -testimony that would be overwhelming.”</p> - -<p>“I understand then,” said Cimon, “that even if our -proofs are legally complete, we still have reason to fear -that venality on the part of the judges and hostility on -the part of the Governor and other officials will find -means to set them aside.”</p> - -<p>“Yes—it certainly is to be feared. Malus has undoubtedly -patched up an alliance, if not with the Governor -himself, at least with Romans who can bring heavy -influence to bear upon him and so on the courts. We -must not shut our eyes on this fact. It is our main disadvantage. -But to offset this the Alabarch and myself -can also bring heavy influences—and they shall not be -wanting.”</p> - -<p>“We are fortunate and thankful to find such friends—especially -as we have no choice but to proceed. We -will proceed and trust Heaven for the result. I think -this is the conclusion to which we have come, and that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> -we are ready to authorize our friend to place our papers -in the hands of the advocate he proposes,” and he looked -inquiringly at Aleph.</p> - -<p>Aleph slightly bowed. After a moment, however, he -added:</p> - -<p>“Still I would be glad if, before legal proceedings are -begun, we could give Malus an opportunity to retrace his -steps. I would like to try what effect expostulation under -the perils of his situation would have. The Most -High practices forbearance to sinners; and such I understand -is the practice of the Messiah toward his enemies. -His miracles show that he has power enough to overwhelm -them all with the greatest ease, but he forbears and -tries on them the effect of more light and expostulation. -I would be glad to imitate God and His Christ.”</p> - -<p>Seti started to his feet in amazement.</p> - -<p>“And this after your very lives have been so foully -assailed! This way of doing things is neither Egyptian, -nor Greek, nor Roman, nor even Jewish—however God-like -and Christ like it may be.”</p> - -<p>“I confess,” said Cimon, “that I have something of -the feeling that my young friend has expressed. I am -reluctant to drive a man to what may prove his ruin -without giving him a chance for his life. To be sure, I -have small hope of a favorable result from any appeal we -can make to the conscience and fears of Malus. But I -should feel easier if it were made.”</p> - -<p>“Well, be it so!” said Seti after a short silence. -“Make the experiment. See what merciful dealings can -do. At the most, it only means the delay of a day or so.... -Now let us see what you will <em>write</em> to this promising -candidate for repentance and reformation: for I will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> -never give my consent that you go in person into the den -of such a serpent.”</p> - -<p>Aleph looked at Cimon. The Greek nodded. The -young man seated himself at a table and slowly wrote as -follows:</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p>“Cimon, manager and representative, to Malus, consignee -and merchant.</p> - -<p>“It has been discovered that the returns which you -have made for many years to the business which I represent -are not in accordance with the facts, and that now a -very large sum of money is due us. I am reluctant to -appeal to the courts to enforce our claims; and hope that -your sense of justice and of responsibility to a Higher -Power will make such an appeal unnecessary. A satisfactory -assurance from you of regret for the past and an -upright purpose for the future will dispose me to abate -much from my just claim upon you.</p> - -<p>“Let me hear from you to-day at the</p> - -<p class="right"><i>Khan Rachotis</i>.”</p> - -</div> - -<p>“I have great misgivings as to this merciful plan of -yours,” said Seti, “and only give my consent to it on -condition that you authorize me to place your papers in -the hands of our advocate at once, without waiting to see -the result of your appeal. If it is successful you can recall -the parcel unbroken. Otherwise it is to be used -without delay. You agree?”</p> - -<p>“So be it,” said Cimon.</p> - -<p>“Does the parcel contain as full an explanation of the -case as the advocate will need?”</p> - -<p>“So it seems to me.”</p> - -<p>This ended the conversation. A servant of the khan<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> -was immediately called and dispatched with the letter to -Malus. Seti himself remained till he had seen the main -effects of his friends put into the hands of two servants -of his own for transference to the Serapeum. It was -agreed that the owners should follow as soon as possible.</p> - -<p>As chance would have it (I confess that I dislike such -language on both scientific and religious grounds), they -were not detained long. Their messenger met Malus at -no great distance from the khan; and soon returned with -a spoken message that they should either see or hear from -him at the khan early the coming evening.</p> - -<p>What should they do in the meantime? Aleph consulted -his programme of lectures, and found that Seti -was to speak at the third hour in his course on Comparative -Religions—special topic, <i>The Religion of Egypt</i>. -They would settle with their landlord and then leisurely -find their way to the lecture. They were curious to hear -what the high-priest of Egypt would say about its religion. -Perhaps they would get some light on the mystery -of his position.</p> - -<p>Accordingly, in due time they found themselves in -the lecture-room of the Serapeum. They noticed that -the room was fuller than before, and conjectured that -this was owing to the special interest felt in the topic to -be discussed. Seti evidently noticed their presence as he -came in and passed near them to his seat on the dais.</p> - -<p>What follows is a condensed statement of the main -points of the lecture—without the vigorous argument and -abundant illustrations by which these points were supported.</p> - -<p>Seti began with reminding the students that he had -in previous lectures on the origin and history of religion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> -expressed the conviction that its earliest stage in all -countries was monotheism. The evidence of this, he -thought to be especially clear in the case of Egypt. All -his researches had converged on a remote time when the -Egyptian temples contained no visible object of worship; -but were dedicated to a single spiritual Being who was -supposed to be the eternal, almighty, and all wise creator -of all things else, and who was to be worshipped by -prayer and praise and gifts and sacrifice. They called -Him <i>Amun Re</i>.</p> - -<p>How long the popular religion remained at this point -is not known. Nor is it known by any record how a -change came to take place. But probably it was after -this manner. Some of the ruder people began to use -visible symbols of the Great Spirit to assist their conception -and devotion; and by degrees their example was -copied extensively by the people at large. The next step -was to pass from the worship of the Being symbolized to -the worship of the symbol itself—a thing about as easy as -the descent of rivers to the sea.</p> - -<p>Before long there crept in a new element. The people -had all along believed, as all other nations have done, -in a multitude of invisible beings, intermediate between -the Supreme and man in dignity and faculty, and having -more or less influence over human fortunes. These, -whether supposed good or bad, the people gradually came -to think it worth while to propitiate by various services -and honors, very much as they were accustomed to do to -the various grades of powerful officials under the Pharaohs; -and in process of time the services and honors -given to these minor but nearer deities grew to overshadow -those of <i>Amun Re</i> himself.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span></p> - -<p>This secondary worship, too, found symbols natural -and convenient. Its objects were invisible beings hard -to be conceived of and realized. In this case the familiar -animals of the country were taken as symbols. Foreigners -have sometimes wondered at this, and perhaps with -some reason; but there are not wanting philosophers who -say that even the humblest <em>living</em> creature is a more wonderful -object than any dead statue can be, though of the -most precious material and exquisite workmanship; and -that it better represents the wisdom and power of a living -spiritual being. Whatever one may think of the propriety -of this animal symbolism, it was certainly general -in Egypt at a very early period. And men went as naturally -from such a symbolism to a worship of the symbols -themselves as they did to sin and death.</p> - -<p>But where, meanwhile, was the priesthood of <i>Amun -Re</i>? Through all these changes among the lower orders -the higher Egyptian priesthood held fast the original -theory of religion. To them there was still but one God -to whom religious worship should be paid, and He should -be worshipped without symbol. So they resisted the -downward drift—resisted it strongly. But the popular -current was too strong for them. And, after long struggling -against it unsuccessfully, they came by degrees to -feel that the lower orders are incapable of worthily grasping -and appropriating a strictly spiritual religion—that -the gross thoughts and cares and toils amid which their -lives are necessarily spent make a grosser form of religion -a necessity to them. The heavens are best read and understood -from eminences—how can the stars of the higher -truth be seen to advantage save from the eminences of -human life with their culture and leisure and broad outlook?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span> -They cannot. It must not be expected. A spiritual -religion is not for the vulgar. It is too high and -sacred for common handling. It were a profanation of -the lofty and holy to put them into such hands as hold -our plows, work our quarries, and embalm our dead.</p> - -<p>These views at first tolerated, then favored, next embraced -and justified, and finally established as a policy -and institution, made two worlds in Egypt, with a great -abyss between them, which have continued down to the -present time. On the one hand has been the world of -Pharaohs, priests and philosophers holding fast the primitive -religion of Egypt as a sacred Mystery: on the other -hand has been a world of peasants and idolaters judged -unfit for such high knowledge and carefully excluded -from it.</p> - -<p>“Such,” continued Seti, “was the Egypt which I -found. Such was the policy, solid and venerable with -the approval and practice of thousands of years, that I -inherited. It was an ungrateful inheritance. I came -early to doubt its wisdom and righteousness; and by the -time when power came into my hands I had made up my -mind to resist and forsake it just as far and fast as possible. -I knew that a sudden change was not wisely possible. -I realized that reforms of ancient evils that have -become intertwined with the whole structure of society -must be carefully and gradually made. Else social convulsions -will follow. More damage would come from -violent and precipitate measures than would come from -the evil they attack. With the power of an emperor I -could not have wisely abolished the old order of things by -edict.</p> - -<p>“All this I felt profoundly. And so when the supreme<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> -priesthood came to me, while I determined to proceed at -once and thoroughly to the great problem of restoring our -religion to its primitive purity among the lower classes, I -also determined to proceed cautiously. I labored to -change the views of the priesthood already on the stage. -As director of all the schools for young priests, I sought -to shape their education toward the original order of -things. I enlarged as much as possible the number of -the initiated in the higher classes. I took pains (how -much some of you well know) to impress my views on the -young men gathered here for education from all parts of -the world—hoping that the truth would filter down -through the upper strata into the lower and the lowest. -And, further, I have persuaded and instructed the priests -who deal directly with the common people to push into -the background, more and more, the secondary deities—to -bring to the front, more and more, the Supreme One; -and to insist upon it that there be no worship of the -symbols of even Him, only of the Being symbolized; all -to prepare the way for withdrawing the symbols themselves.</p> - -<p>“I may have been too lingering and indirect in my -action. Some of my friends think as much. It is not -easy to judge in such matters. I would be glad if we -could have a Divine Teacher, such as Plato craved, -to tell us with authority exactly what to do. But -until He comes (if indeed He has not already come) -we must take the course that seems to promise the -most good with the least harm. Unsuccessful violence -on the traditional religious habits of the people would be -likely to give us political and social convulsions which -would be bad enough: successful violence would be likely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> -to give us general atheism which would be worse. Young -men (and his voice grew graver and more emphatic as -his eye went searchingly around among the earnest faces), -Young men, remember that there is something worse than -worshipping Nilus, or the ibis: it is <em>the not worshipping -at all</em>.”</p> - -<p>The students now supposed the lecture finished; but -after a silence of a few moments Seti added:</p> - -<p>“Some of you may feel like asking how this course of -mine can consist with the position I hold as head of the -Egyptian religion. If an answer to this is not sufficiently -implied in what I have said already, let me add that I regard -myself as being the high-priest of the original religion -of Egypt, according to our ancient institutions; and -do not feel bound to the variations from it that have been -mistakenly introduced by others. Further, in the course -I am pursuing I have the approval of most of those who -have always had in charge the religious concerns of the -country—the higher priesthood. And still further, I am -not chargeable with double-dealing—for, as you will bear -me witness, I make no secret of my views and purposes; -and my position does not require me to officiate at the -worship of any secondary deity, but only at that of Amun -Re Himself. Even the symbols of Him under the name -of Serapis I do not now use either in public or private. -The statue of Him belonging to this temple has not been -before the public for a number of years.”</p> - -<p>This concluded the lecture. But the young men, too -much interested in both the manner and the matter of -their teacher to be in any hurry to get away, were still -lingering in their seats, when a young man appeared at -the door and politely asked their attention. He said that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span> -he had been deputed by the Museum to lay a certain complaint -before them. It appeared that a stranger had been -received to student matriculation by the Serapeum without -actual testing in athletics. This step was certainly -very unusual, if not wholly unprecedented; and the Museum -felt obliged to complain of it after a fraternal and -gentlemanly fashion, and to ask that the ancient usage of -the University may not be violated.</p> - -<p>Publius Cornelius sprang to his feet. “It is, I believe, -according to the ancient usage of the University -that the examination which satisfies one of its departments -shall satisfy the other also. I beg to inform Quintius -Metellus that we examined the candidate to whom -he refers as to athletic matters, and were abundantly satisfied -with the examination.”</p> - -<p>“Still it appears,” blandly returned the somewhat -foppish and fast looking young Metellus, “that no -actual trial of strength and skill was made; and the Museum -cannot but think that if the new-comer is really deserving -of such exceptional treatment he will be willing -to content us with an actual instead of an imaginary testing -in the more advanced athletics. The Museum has -presumed on his willingness, and is at this moment present -in a body in your gymnasium awaiting his appearance.”</p> - -<p>“This seems to me,” began P. Cornelius in a tone -just a little tinged with indignation—but Aleph, making -a sign to him, interposed:</p> - -<p>“I beg,” said he, “that our president will not press -his view. I am quite willing to content the Museum, -and should be sorry to have any feel that an ancient -usage of the University has been unreasonably set aside<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> -in my favor. I hope, therefore, that the Serapeum will -yield to the wishes of the Museum.”</p> - -<p>“This is very satisfactory,” returned Q. Metellus. -“But I am also instructed to say that inasmuch as the -social standing of the new student is unknown to us, it -seems to us that the testing should be on the more gentlemanly -accomplishments. This will throw some light -on whether he is entitled to mingle on equal terms -with the representatives of the best families of the -empire.”</p> - -<p>“Nonsense!” exclaimed P. Cornelius. “Use your -eyes, Metellus!”</p> - -<p>But Aleph gravely said, “I do not object to the new -proposition of the Museum.”</p> - -<p>“One more particular, and I have finished my mission. -The Museum also requests that the testing may be -by our professional teachers of equestrianism and fence. -The testing is likely to be more scientifically done; and -if well sustained will be more creditable to the candidate. -I hope he will gratify us also in this particular.”</p> - -<p>“In this particular also,” said Aleph quietly—“assuming -that nothing unfair is intended, and that I shall -not be asked to attempt anything which the trainer is -not willing to attempt himself.”</p> - -<p>“This condition is reasonable—do you accept it?” -demanded Cornelius. Receiving a nod of assent, he continued. -“Then we will proceed to the gymnasium—<em>under -protest</em>. I demur to the whole proceeding. Our new -associate is too compliant. The Museum is extravagant -and unreasonable. It will bear watching—Gentlemen of -the Serapeum!” he exclaimed, after a moment’s pause, -“I move you that we invite the venerable Seti to accompany<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> -us to the gymnasium. It will conduce to order and -fairness.”</p> - -<p>The suggestion was heartily ratified.</p> - -<p>The gymnasium was near. The fair occupants of the -latticed gallery already mentioned, and of whose presence -some faint signs had appeared during the lecture, had -only to remove to the opposite side of the same large -room to command as good a view and almost as good a -hearing of what might pass in the gymnasium as they -had been having of the lecture room. Did they remove? -Who knows? Was the Gem of Alexandria, with her -lofty brow and shining eyes, among them? Who knows? -Certainly not Aleph the Chaldean.</p> - -<p>The large court of the temple had been fitted up for -athletic exercises. We need only say in regard to it that -it was large enough to inclose a small hippodrome at the -centre; that on the right and left of a broad passage leading -down to this from the main entrance were tiers of -movable seats rising one above another. Those on the -left were already occupied by the Museum in full force -when the Serapeum came crowding in and took the seats -on the right. Then appeared Seti and took the seat of -honor in the middle of the passage. Last of all came P. -Cornelius and our two friends. These walked down at -once to the edge of the hippodrome, when Cimon took a -seat on the right, and Aleph and Cornelius remained -standing—</p> - -<p>Before a man, who, a long whip in hand, was holding -at full length the rein of a superb looking horse with a -riding cloth strapped upon him.</p> - -<p>“What do you wish?” said Aleph to the trainer in -equestrianism.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Handle this Arabian in all ways—mount, trot -around the course, canter and gallop, maintain your seat -under shouts and the hissing of this whip.”</p> - -<p>“Has this horse any peculiarities?” asked Cornelius.</p> - -<p>“This the stranger is to find out for himself,” said -the trainer gruffly.</p> - -<p>“The animal has the eye of a demon,” continued -Cornelius; “and it is agreed between the Museum and us -that you, Beco, are not to ask my friend to do what you -are not willing to undertake yourself. So I now ask you -to mount—in short, do yourself what you ask from him.”</p> - -<p>“I am here to examine, not to be examined,” and -the man shrugged his shoulders and tried, unsuccessfully, -to look amused.</p> - -<p>“Do you refuse?” demanded Cornelius.</p> - -<p>“I refuse to be tested myself; I am not a candidate -for matriculation,” was the surly reply.</p> - -<p>Cornelius looked anxiously around, and seeing the -trainer of the Serapeum standing not far away, he beckoned -to him; and on his approach conferred with him in -a low voice for a moment.</p> - -<p>“It is as I thought,” he then cried out so that all -could hear; “our own equestrian trainer judges this animal -to be vicious and dangerous—evidently so dangerous -that he would not himself venture to attempt mounting -him. I appeal to the University against such unfairness!”</p> - -<p>No notice was taken of this appeal; for by this time -both Serapeum and Museum were watching with breathless -interest the proceedings of Aleph.</p> - -<p>After his first words to the trainer he seemed to take -no notice of what others were doing. His whole attention<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span> -was absorbed by the formidable animal before him. -Soon he stepped forward to the side of Beco, and stood -there for a few moments looking steadily into the flaming -eyes of the horse. Then he silently took the rein -into his hand and motioned Beco with his whip into the -background. There they stood alone for a while, confronting -each other—the soul of the man looking out of -his eyes, and the soul of the brute looking out of his—the -one calm, confident, masterful; the other brimful of willfulness, -resistance, determination, passion, and malignity. -Each of them seemed to be asking the other, -<i>Which of us shall be master?</i></p> - -<p>Aleph began to draw gently on the rein. The horse -showed his teeth, champed his bit, struck the ground -fiercely with his forefoot, seemed on the point of springing -on his enemy. But Aleph gave not the slightest sign -of apprehension. Not the smallest movement that looked -toward self-protection was apparent. On the contrary, he -advanced a step, and, if possible, his attitude grew firmer, -his port more commanding, and his eyes shot out their -rays into the brute eyes with a still more confident majesty. -He saw the fierce eyes before him beginning to -soften, to waver. He advanced another step. He laid -his hand softly on the thin, quivering nostrils. He -began to speak—meanwhile caressing with a gentle -hand the soft nostril, the long forelock, the tapering -ears.</p> - -<p>“You are one of ten thousand—finely formed, powerfully -built, full of grace and strength and spirit. A -steed for a warrior! But you are not an Arabian. Parthia -was your mother. And you are as wild as the wildest -of the Parthians. I do not think that you have ever<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span> -felt the weight of a man. You have been bitted, but -never ridden. You have been mismanaged and abused -till you think every man an enemy. It is a mistake. -You have at last found a friend. Now we understand -each other—do we not?”</p> - -<p>The noble head had begun to droop toward the soothing -tones when Aleph, putting both arms with the rein -over it, drew it gently still lower, patted it, patted the -heavy mane, patted the proud arch of the neck, patted -the shapely flank, patted the royal curve of the back, -patted that royal curve with both hands—a moment more -was <em>seated</em> upon it, rein in hand.</p> - -<p>What a bound there was then! The demon that had -been cast out came back seven-folded. But the horse -seemed to think that he had a demon on his back instead -of within him. He sprang into the air with such suddenness -and violence that one would have thought him -thunderstruck into a resolution to forsake the earth at -once and forever in favor of a higher sphere. Then followed -a rapid succession of pyrotechnic struggles, in -which was tried every sort of device and movement, save -that of falling, known to a horse, to free himself from -his burden. Such mighty wrath; such desperate and -frenzied exertions; such shakings and strikings and kickings -and rearings and plungings, and at last such runnings -away, had not been seen since the days of Bucephalus. -But during it all Aleph sat as if a part of the animal, -with no strain whatever on the rein, merely watchfully -accommodating himself to the various movements -of which he seemed to have some secret intelligence in -advance: and when the running began he only used the -rein to guide it according to the round of the arena.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span> -This was no easy matter—the speed was so great and the -round so small. Whether he would be able to prevent -the headlong courser from dashing through the seats occupied -by the Museum was so doubtful to those in the -front seats that they instinctively made a great outcry -and flourish of canes at the flying centaur. This added, -if possible, new wings to the flight: but Aleph so skillfully -combined the use of the rein with limb-pressure -and flexions that the round was safely made three times. -The quadruped hurricane then stopped of his own accord -at the starting point—all in a tremble and covered with -foam.</p> - -<p>Aleph sprang from his back, caught up a large cloth -that lay near, gently wiped off the sweat from the trembling -animal, patted and stroked and soothed him with -hand and voice till he ceased to tremble.</p> - -<p>Then taking his stand a little in front, he beckoned -and called. The horse instantly walked up to him. He -laid his hand on the mane, both hands; they grew heavier -and heavier, and still the animal stood motionless. A -moment more and Aleph was again mounted and pacing -slowly around the course. Arrived at the starting point, -he again dismounted, tightened the band that confined -the riding cloth, and then in a very leisurely way resumed -his seat.</p> - -<p>“Now, friend Parthia, shall we trot?” A gentle -shake of the rein and Parthia trotted around the course -with a free and stately action.</p> - -<p>“Now, friend Parthia, shall we see what you can do -in the way of the ornamental?” By this time the steed -had recovered his strength and spirit; and in perfect -obedience to rein and foot he curveted and pranced and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span> -caracoled about the arena after a most wonderful fashion. -But the greatest wonder was not the horse, but the horseman. -Such unaffected simplicity, ease, and repose of -manner! With what grace and even majesty he carried -himself! As he went his last round with the sunshine -on his royal face and the steed stepping as proudly under -him as if he knew that he carried a royal burden—ah, -<em>such</em> a shout went up from Serapeum and Museum both! -Aleph happened to look up and lo, on one side of the -arena, high up in the Serapeum, latticed windows were -all open and bright faces and forms were leaning out -waving snowy veils. The ladies of Alexandria, relying -on the absorption of the students, and perhaps forgetting -themselves in the intense interest of the scene, had gradually -pushed the lattice aside for the sake of a better -view: and when Aleph looked up and saw them he saw -also a bouquet of flowers in the air, and a fair hand that -had just parted with it, and a glorious face that he knew -behind the hand. The horse sprang to meet the descending -token; and as Aleph caught it in his hand, he, as -gallant knights should always do, bowed low, even to the -horse’s mane.</p> - -<p>“Who owns this animal, thou villain?” exclaimed -Cornelius, with some fire in his voice and more in his -eyes, to the trainer.</p> - -<p>The man tapped the ground uneasily with his whip, -and was silent.</p> - -<p>Turning to the students, Cornelius cried, “Whoever -was the owner of this horse when he came here has forfeited -his claim. Let us declare it forfeited to the University, -and present the animal to Aleph, the Chaldean, -to be kept at our expense; and if the original owner dares<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> -to claim him let us prosecute the wretch before the courts -for intent to kill one of us.”</p> - -<p>Said Metellus, “I approve of that. It seems to me -that it would be a crime against society to reward the -man for his crime by replacing a horse worth considerably -less than nothing by one worth a thousand gold staters. -May I ask what the venerable Seti thinks?”</p> - -<p>The venerable Seti thought that under the circumstances -the horse had a right to choose his own master—that -in fact he had already chosen, and chosen well. He -should have free keeping in the stalls of the Serapeum as -long as his master should choose.</p> - -<p>The students ratified lustily.</p> - -<p>In the meantime Aleph had dismounted and stood -holding the rein over one arm, while the other was thrown -caressingly over the arched neck of the horse. As he -gave the rein to a servant of the Serapeum who now presented -himself he said:</p> - -<p>“I am glad if the Museum regards the trial thus far -as satisfactory. But there remains another trial to which -they have asked me to submit—that by their teacher of -fence. For this I am now ready”—and the flowers which -till now he had held in his hand he secured under his -girdle.</p> - -<p>Then up spake Cornelius again. “I cannot but -think that the Museum is thoroughly satisfied already -with the justice of our matriculation. And to ask a -young man after such exertions as we have seen to pit -himself against a fresh man and a famous professional -seems to me wonderfully unreasonable. Besides, what -has occurred suggests the idea of bad faith somewhere. -Of course the Museum does not mean anything of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span> -sort; but in my opinion they are being made tools of by -somebody who has a deadly purpose to serve. Unless -Draco of Rhodes is a better and fairer man than Beco the -Roman, he can be hired to commit a murder.”</p> - -<p>“It must be confessed,” said Q. Metellus, who had -come forward and was now standing by the side of Cornelius, -“that the Museum has made but a sorry show -here to-day, either as a tool or worse; and I should not -much blame P. Cornelius if he had taken a worse view of -us than he does. We have had a most instructive time, -but no thanks to the Museum for it. We were trapped -into it. For my part I disclaim all fellowship with Beco -and his proceedings; and if I could think it possible that -another such scoundrel could be found attached to the -Museum I should be tempted to forsake it for cleaner -quarters. If I should wish the examination to proceed -further it would be solely for the purpose of vindicating -our good name and showing that Beco is the only devil -among us.”</p> - -<p>On this arose another young man among the benches -of the Museum who commended in a general sort of way -the remarks of Metellus; but then said that the Museum -had formally taken the ground that it was not proper to -take any accomplishment for granted, saving as the -higher includes the lower. It would not only be inconsistent -but an unfortunate precedent should they leave -the testing incomplete. To be sure, the young man who -calls himself Aleph the Chaldean has borne himself well -thus far; still he might wholly fail under the remaining -test. Certainly the Museum, however well satisfied at -present, would be better satisfied if the whole plan -agreed upon should be carried out. He did not anticipate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span> -another Beco in Draco. No doubt Draco would be -forbearing with the young man, and would only tax him -enough to make a reasonable trial of his skill in the gentlemanly -art of fence. For this purpose no dangerous -weapons need be used—only the open hands. As the -candidate did not seem to be at all worn by what he had -done, let him have a chance to win new laurels from -Draco of Rhodes.</p> - -<p>Some of the Museum applauded.</p> - -<p>“But Euphemes of Corinth should consider,” began -P. Cornelius; but Aleph laid his hand on his arm and -said, “Excuse me, my friend.”</p> - -<p>Then turning toward the Museum, he added in a voice -that had in it a touch of humor as well as several touches -of decision, “I beg that the Museum may be gratified by -the complete carrying out of the plan they have proposed. -I do not ask for exceptions in my favor, either -from my fellow students or from your teacher of fence. -Let him do his best—provided he deal fairly and honorably.”</p> - -<p>This settled the matter, though Cornelius and some -others, especially of the Serapeum, looked and muttered -discontent. “It is too bad. Talk of fairness and honor -in connection with such a desperado as Draco! Depend -upon it there is some wickedness in the wind. When -such a fellow comes to the front the gods retire.”</p> - -<p>And he <em>was</em> a formidable figure to look at, as he presented -himself in the arena. A man of unusual stature -and weight, with prodigious muscular development about -the arms and chest, but without obesity and with every -appearance of activity as well as of strength. His face -was the worst part of him—shaggy, coarse, hard, cruel,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span> -with protuberant blood-shot eyes out of which looked all -the passions save fear and pity—the whole made more repulsive -by a large swelling on one cheek which Aleph -well understood.</p> - -<p>To this forbidding figure Aleph walked down (followed -at a little distance by Cornelius and Metellus) and -stood before him with folded arms and investigating eyes.</p> - -<p>Draco proceeded to pass his hands across the shoulders -and chest of the young man; felt of his arms; took -their length; inspected his hands; stood off a little distance -to observe the limbs and general build.</p> - -<p>“Very well to begin upon. I think I could make -something of you. Not quite enough like Mars, however.” -Then, taking the attitude of a boxer, he said, -“Now deliver some blows at me with your open hand.”</p> - -<p>Aleph made certain strokes which were more remarkable -for the freedom and grace with which they were delivered -than for anything else, and which Draco found -no difficulty in parrying. None of them were aimed at -the face; but once the low stroke was so struck up by -Draco in the parrying that the hand touched the swollen -cheek. Draco’s eyes flashed.</p> - -<p>In this preliminary bout it became evident to Aleph, -from the force and direction of the parrying, that Draco -was aiming to disable as well as to parry. His wards -were strokes—his defense an attack.</p> - -<p>“Now take your turn at parry,” said Draco with a -subtle menace lurking in both eye and voice.</p> - -<p>Aleph saw that the time had come when he would -need all his watchfulness. He erected himself to a fuller -stature. His feet and limbs set themselves into new -firmness. His eye took on new openness and intensity<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span> -without losing anything of its characteristic repose. He -had hardly made this instinctive preparation before the -blows began to come—at first with some show of tentativeness -and moderation, but, as they were warded off, -they returned with ever increasing heat and force, and -gradually came to be aimed exclusively at the head. -Now it was the mouth, now the eye, now the temple. -He seemed bent on at least marring the manly beauty before -him, and which contrasted so strangely with his own -coarse and brutal features. Gradually the open palm became -the knotted fist. Gradually the knotted fist came -as fast and fiercely as the whole passionate force of the -man could wield it.</p> - -<p>Through the whole of this impetuous hail storm, -Aleph kept strictly on the defensive. His whole work -was parrying. Was not this in the bond? Of course his -hands were full of occupation—his feet also when Draco -began to shift positions and at length attacked him on -whatever side and from whatever direction he could. -Aleph hardly had time to wonder at the headlong ferocity -of the storm that was discharging itself upon him.</p> - -<p>“<em>Stop!</em>” cried Cornelius. “This is fighting, not -examining. <em>Stop!</em> I say—this is intolerable.”</p> - -<p>But Draco paid no attention. The glare of a tiger -was in his eyes. His face was that of a fiend.</p> - -<p>“Shall I quit the defensive?” inquired Aleph in a -low voice to Cornelius and Metellus—as he gained a moment’s -respite by a spring to one side.</p> - -<p>“Do so!” they both exclaimed. “He means to kill -you.”</p> - -<p>Then was a sight worth seeing. Then the youth -fairly awoke. Then his whole frame began to work with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span> -the supreme grace and force of some mighty machine. It -was Apollo turned to Mars, or rather to Jupiter Tonans -himself—so wonderfully sovereign and commanding became -his aspect. And perhaps the most impressive thing -about it was the mysterious repose and utter self-possession -that sat on thrones in every feature.</p> - -<p>Compared with his movements now, all his former -ones were mere pastime. It was sublime to see such a -face, such a figure, such a blending of all the poetries of -expression and motion. He still parried, but every parry -was followed by a blow delivered. Swifter and stronger -flew that young hand. He, too, could be swift and -mighty—he, too, could press, now on this side and now -on that, and again, seemingly, on all sides at once. And -yet his breathing was unhurried—there seemed in him -endless reserves of strength and battle.</p> - -<p>“Immortal gods! how he handles himself,” exclaimed -young men as they stood on their benches and -watched breathlessly.</p> - -<p>Almost as soon as the defensive became the aggressive, -a severe stroke on his swollen cheek warned Draco -that he must begin to look to self-preservation. He -could no longer give his whole attention to assault. He -became vividly sensible of the great change that had -taken place in the aspect and bearing of his antagonist. -He saw how cool and collected he was—how perfectly -master of himself. The sight angered him, made him -furious. He would have given his life for one fair demolishing -stroke on the young man on whom as yet he -had not been able to fasten a single bruise. But scant -time had he now for even such flashes of thinking. He -had all he could do to ward off the blows that came so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span> -mightily and swiftly, and yet with a certain deliberate -terribleness and ease that seemed to say that such could -be delivered forever. Soon another blow passed his ward -and reached the cheek hitherto untouched. But it was -with the palm of the hand. Was Aleph affecting to be -forbearing and merciful to him who had never given -mercy nor needed it? Was he, like some perverse boy, -being cuffed into good behavior? The thought was intolerable. -That a youngster of a score of summers -should be sparing him—conquering him with even something -less than his utmost, was agony. And yet that was -what everybody could now see was bound to happen. It -was plain to see that Draco was waning and that Aleph -was waxing. The sweat was dropping freely from the -face of the one; the brow of the other was not perceptibly -moist. Spectators could see that the young man -often voluntarily neglected advantages that the passion -and precipitation of his adversary gave him, and was -seeking to close the contest with as little damage and -mortification to him as possible. After one of these plain -forbearances he said to Draco in a low voice:</p> - -<p>“Need this go on? Say that you are satisfied with -the examination and we will stop just here. You have -for some time been in my power.”</p> - -<p>For answer the infuriated man leaped at him with the -expression of a fiend, and tried to throw his arms about -him and bear him to the ground. So sudden and violent -was the movement that Aleph eluded it with some difficulty; -but he did it, and, in passing, dealt the ill-balanced -man a blow that felled him to the ground. He lay -motionless.</p> - -<p>“He is not injured—only stunned,” said Aleph to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span> -Cornelius and Metellus as they came up. They looked at -the speaker and wondered. Not a blow appeared to have -reached him. There was no visible disarrangement of his -dress even. The flowers at his girdle were still in place. -And the supremely cool and masterful look that had presided -through the whole contest was still sitting in full -glory on its throne.</p> - -<p>The issue had been anticipated by the students for -some time; but their breathless interest in watching the -conflict had kept them from any general vocal expression. -But now there was <em>such</em> an uproar—such a waving of -canes and caps, such stamping and clapping and lung-rending -huzzaing as a thousand frenzied young men could -make, and such as the old Serapeum had not known for -many a day, if ever. Did Seti make any effort to suppress -or moderate? Not he. Some even go so far as to -say that he was seen unconsciously keeping time to the -uproar with his foot. Others say (and I am disposed to -think they are right) that he sat as motionless as the -statue of Memnon, sat as if in a dream, till the tumult -had somewhat subsided. Then he held up his hand. Silence -at once reigned.</p> - -<p>“Young men of the Museum! I cannot think that -any considerable number of you have been knowingly concerned -in this conspiracy. Were it otherwise it would be -to the eternal disgrace of the University, and especially -of your part of it. I prefer to think, and <em>do</em> think, that -you have been victims. You could not have supposed -that it was intended to assail the very life of a young man -under pretense of testing his athletic accomplishments. -You have been misled and deceived by somebody. I leave -you to find out who inspired and contrived this whole<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span> -thing. It is necessary for your good name. And I shall -not wonder if you decline henceforth to have anything to -do with these two professional trainers who have allowed -themselves to be used for murderous purposes.</p> - -<p>“Perhaps some, if not all, of you have thought it -strange that I did not interfere to break off this contest -when its true character became plain. I was on the point -of doing so several times: but as I looked at the young -man I seemed to see in his whole bearing such abundant -promise of a successful issue that I felt it would be a -wrong to all of you young men to keep from you an inspiring -example, and a wrong to him to keep him from -the honor to which he is so justly entitled.”</p> - -<p>“The venerable Seti is right,” cried Metellus. “We -of the Museum are no better than we should be; -but we are not sunk so low as to take part in a plot -against the life or limb of a stranger who has done us no -harm—much less against a member of our own University. -We have been imposed upon. We supposed that -nothing but a reasonable and safe testing was intended: -we even supposed that less danger would attend it under -our trainers than would naturally belong to an emulative -contest between students.</p> - -<p>“It would be a farce for me,” he continued, “to ask -the Museum to vote as to whether the examination of the -candidate has been satisfactory. There is not one of us -but would throw his cap to the moon in token of approval. -Of course we adopt the hero into the Museum -by a thunder of silent acclamation. We have seen something -to-day to tell to the old folks at home—something -to tell to our children,” he added smiling. And then -with a graver face and a graver tone he went on, “And<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span> -somehow I feel as if I should go away from this place a -truer and worthier man for what we have seen to-day. I -had heard of magnanimity before; to-day I have seen it. -And I like it. Heroism is good, but heroism with righteousness -is better. I see that it is possible to come down -on a great deed, which is even better than rising to -meet it.</p> - -<p>“But though the Museum does not need to vote approval -of Aleph the Chaldean (what a ridiculous thing it -would be!), I think we owe it to ourselves to act on the -suggestion of the venerable Seti; to express formally our -condemnation of these villains (the one lying here where -he ought to lie, and the other standing yonder dangling -a whip which ought to make many a weal across his own -back) and their prompters, whoever they may be. Have -we any further need of the services of trainers who are -themselves trained by the infernals? I think not. -Those agreeing with me will stretch out their hands.”</p> - -<p>As far as Metellus could see, every right hand was -lifted.</p> - -<p>What congratulations were showered on Aleph, how -cordial and admiring both Serapeum and Museum seemed, -how profuse the latter were in their disclaimers and -apologies and promises to unearth the whole plot, and -how modestly Aleph carried himself under it all, I will -not attempt to set down in detail.</p> - -<p>“Come with me,” said Seti to our friends, as the students -broke up, “and I will show you your new quarters.” -On the way they told him of their arrangement -to meet Malus at the khan in the evening, but promised -to return immediately after to the Serapeum. At the -door of their apartments a servant met them and said to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span> -the priest that his granddaughter was in her sedan at the -gate and wished to see him. Would he come at once? -She was looking very pale and ill. Seti at once threw -open the door, bade them enter and be at home, and hastened -after the servant.</p> - -<p>He did not appear again that day. Very likely he -went home with Rachel. And very likely Aleph would -have followed in the course of the afternoon, had not Cimon -happened to mention that he overheard a student -saying that news had just come that the emperor had -asked the daughter of the Alabarch in marriage for his -nephew and heir Germanicus, and that the visit of the -Alabarch to Rome had reference to this overture. “Perhaps,” -added Cimon, “this is what has disturbed her.”</p> - -<p>“She would never marry a pagan,” said Aleph decidedly.</p> - -<p>“Perhaps Germanicus is such a pagan as her grandfather,” -returned Cimon. “He is said to be a very -promising young man, and the son of excellent parents; -and no doubt the Jewish elders will be greatly in favor of -an alliance that promises to secure and advance their interests -so greatly. They will remember Queen Esther.”</p> - -<p>Aleph made no answer—unless the silent one of drawing -out the knot of flowers from his girdle and setting -them carefully with water in a vase which he had discovered -in the room. But <em>was</em> this an answer? If so, it -certainly was not a very clear one. Did it say <i>No</i> to Cimon? -Did it say that his suggestions were not as weighty -as they might be? Did it merely say that the rare and -lovely flowers were worth preserving for a day or two on -their own account—whether they came from a future empress -of Rome or not? Or did the <em>heart</em> of the young<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span> -man really speak in the act without consulting his judgment—as -hearts sometimes do? I am at a loss. Such -Delphic conduct is very embarrassing. Why will people -put interpreters to so much trouble? If I had been Aleph -I would have—but no matter what I would have done. -What does the public care?</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span></p> - -<h2>XI.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE TREMBLING.</span></h2> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p>Κρεισσον δε νοσειν η θεραπευειν.</p> - -<p class="right">—<span class="smcap">Euripides</span>, <cite>Hipp.</cite> 177.</p> - -<p><i>Better to be sick than to act the part of a nurse.</i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span></p> - -<ul> -<li>1. How could you!</li> -<li>2. Lazarus, come forth!</li> -<li>3. Empress of the West?</li> -<li>4. Sympathetic advice.</li> -</ul> - -</div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span></p> - -<h3>XI.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE TREMBLING.</span></h3> - -<p>Seti found Rachel sitting in her sedan and looking -more like collapsed alabaster than a human being—her -eyes closed, every trace of color gone from her cheek, -and yet with an expression that told of a desperate struggle -for self-mastery.</p> - -<p>She opened her eyes as she felt Seti’s hand on her arm.</p> - -<p>“O grandfather, how <em>could</em> you allow that dreadful -combat to go on!”</p> - -<p>“What, have you then been a witness of it all? I -had forgotten that it was possible. My poor child—it -was indeed too much for any lady, save a Roman accustomed -to a Roman arena!”</p> - -<p>“I had no idea of what was coming when I went over -to the other side of the gallery with the rest. And they -pressed me to the best window for seeing and hearing: -once there I was under a spell. I could not tear myself -away. I felt obliged to see and hear though I died in the -act. Every sense was acute beyond anything I can remember. -Oh how I suffered at the earlier stages of that -last conflict! It seemed as if I could neither stay nor get -away. It was awful. I was amazed that my companions -did not seem to mind the scene as I did. Why did you -not interfere?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span></p> - -<p>“I hardly understand why, myself. But probably it -was the confidence which the whole bearing of the young -man, and his superb physique, in which he surpasses all I -have ever known—probably it was the confidence that -these inspired that he would be more than equal to the -occasion. Still, now that it is all over, I wonder at myself -somewhat.”</p> - -<p>“But suppose that brute of a horse, or that greater -brute of a man, had killed him? I shudder to think of -it. I had no idea that anything could have shaken me -so.” She closed her eyes and involuntarily trembled.</p> - -<p>“But,” she added in a moment, “this is not all. I -received this morning from my mother a letter which -moved me greatly and perhaps unfitted me to bear the -scene in the palæstra as well as did the other young ladies. -Between the two I feel too weak to go home alone: besides, -I want your counsel. Can you not go with me?”</p> - -<p>Seti went with her.</p> - -<p>The following is a copy of the letter—omitting the -usual epistolary preliminaries—which Seti read and pondered -that afternoon:</p> - -<p>“My dear Rachel, you know how little I thought of -remaining in Jerusalem till now. But our relative Nicodemus -has been urgent, and such great things have been -happening here that I have felt more like sending for you -and your father to come to me than like returning home.</p> - -<p>“My dear daughter, you doubtless have wondered that -hitherto I have said so little in my letters of Jesus of -Nazareth (as he is called here), though you have seemed -so anxious to hear about him. The fact is that the ideas -of the Messiah to which I have been accustomed and -which are held by the chief people here, have made it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span> -hard for me to feel my way to a definite and settled -opinion; and I have been unwilling to write much on a -subject in regard to which my mind was in so confused -and uncertain a state. But I have at last—after much -prayer, and much study of the prophets, and much inquiry -of credible witnesses, as well as some seeing with -my own eyes—come to see my way clearly. Yes, my dear -daughter, I do indeed feel sure at last that Jesus is our -long-expected Messiah. If the proofs of this which he -furnishes are not sufficient it seems impossible to prove -anything. Even Moses himself did not more clearly establish -his Divine mission.</p> - -<p>“Nicodemus has helped me not a little. He is a very -cautious man—I think somewhat too cautious and slow; -as is not unnatural to one who has so much to lose—but -at home he makes no secret of his conviction that it is -impossible to account for the wonderful deeds of Jesus -save on the supposition that God is with him. I hope -this influential man will soon get courage to speak out.</p> - -<p>“When I came here I found the reality of Jesus’s -miracles admitted; and, after I had learned the character -of his life and teaching, I did not see how they could be -accounted for reasonably by the magical art and evil -spirits. But I have lately fallen in with some of his disciples, -and especially with some friends of his at Bethany, -who have given me a more clear and connected view of -his doings and teachings than I had before. At Bethany -I met the mother of Jesus—a wonderful woman, whom to -see and hear is to believe. In answer to my inquiries, she -told of the strangest possible events preceding and following -the birth of Jesus—of an angelic annunciation, of -a Divine conception, of the birth at Bethlehem, of shepherds<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span> -sent by a glory of angels to worship the child, of a -caravan of princes from the far east who came, star-guided, -to do him homage, of a flight to Egypt, of their -return on the death of Herod to live at Nazareth in Galilee -till Jesus was thirty years old, of how good and holy -he was during all those years, so that she never saw a fault -in him, though much that was mysterious. She had sometimes -felt oppressed by the mystery which always hung -about him like a silver veil, but through which occasionally -struggled gleams of a Divine majesty and power. As -time rolled on, and the child had long since become the -mature man, she wondered that so many years were allowed -to pass before his making any public movement. -But she knew that it would come in due time: God would -be as good as His word; such preparations and heralding -would not be an idle flourish and make-believe. Then -she went on to tell me about his forerunner and baptism -and first miracle near three years ago; and of the many -miracles she had seen since. While listening to his teaching, -she had been quite as much astonished at his wisdom -as she had been at his power. It was a very strange feeling -the mother had when she found herself looking up to -her son as being immeasurably above her in everything. -Still she rejoiced in the fact with a sort of awful joy.</p> - -<p>“As she told me all these things there was so much -simplicity and truthfulness, as well as intelligence, shining -in her face and whole manner, that I could not but -accept her testimony. Then how I wanted to see <em>him</em>! -This I had never done until a few days ago. And it was -in this way:</p> - -<p>“Have I said that the house in Bethany where I saw -Mary the mother of Jesus was the house of one Lazarus<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span> -and his two sisters? One day when I was there Lazarus -complained of feeling unwell. The sisters, Mary and -Martha, did some trifling thing for him and thought no -more of it. But, instead of improving, he grew worse. A -leech was called in. Still the brother grew worse. Day -by day the shadows deepened, until at last the leech himself -confessed that he could do no more. Then the sisters -said, ‘Though the leeches cannot help Lazarus, there is -one who can;’ and they immediately sent off a messenger -to Jesus, who was then in Galilee. Day after day passed -and still no Jesus came. Meanwhile the sick man pined -and wasted, and the home and hearts grew darker and -darker, and at last the leech said there was no hope. No, -no hope in <em>him</em>, or such as he, but still hope in Jesus that -he would bring or send help. Can it be that he will suffer -his friend to die?—he who has cured all sorts of diseases -for all sorts of persons with whom he had no special -tie?—I was there and saw the struggle between hope and -despair: saw despair finally triumph as last words were -spoken, as the breath came gaspingly, as the light faded -from the eye and the pulse from the wrist and—he was -gone. Close his eyes, O friends; straighten out the stiffening -limbs; let the mourning women come! Lazarus -is dead—<em>dead</em>.</p> - -<p>“The sisters gave themselves up to their grief. They -refused to be comforted. They could not understand that -dreadful silence. Had the seemingly inexhaustible fountains -of power and helpfulness really given out? At all -events, all was now over. Nothing remained but to bury -their dead, and wait with streaming eyes and broken -hearts for their own turns to come. And the sooner they -should come the better.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span></p> - -<p>“So the dead was buried, the lament made, and the -sisters sat down with despair for companion in a home -where midnight had come in place of midday. Some of us -sat with them as much as we could—holding their hands in -silent sympathy. What could words do in such a case! -We answered their groans with a pressure of the hand. -We followed their tears with our own. Every now and -then, amid their tears and groans, they exclaimed, ‘If -he had been here our brother had not died—had not -died.’</p> - -<p>“So three days wore away—carrying with them what -little was left of the light in their eyes and the color in -their cheeks. On the fourth day, while I was sitting -with them, some one came in and whispered to Martha. -She at once rose and hastened out. But Mary sat still—not -even appearing to notice the departure of her sister. -So we continued sitting. But it was not long before Martha -returned with flurried haste, and with an expression -on her face that seemed like the first faint gray of dawn -on the edge of a black bank of clouds. Mary started up -at a whisper from her, and with something of the same -expression on her face followed her out. We followed, -too; for we thought that our sympathetic presence at the -grave where we supposed they were going might still be -helpful to the stricken sisters.</p> - -<p>“And now, my dear daughter, prepare to read something -wonderful. My hand trembles as I proceed to -write it; and sometimes when I have thought of it such -an awe has come over me that I could not have then -written at all. But my nerves are now steadier. Behold -what happened!</p> - -<p>“As we neared the cave where Lazarus had been laid<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span> -away, we saw a group of men. Mary darted forward and -threw herself at the feet of one of them. Then I understood -it all. Jesus and his disciples had at last come. I -did not need to hear her say, ‘Lord, if thou hadst been -here my brother had not died;’ for, as I looked with all -my eyes of both body and mind, on the face that was looking -down so compassionately on the weeping woman, I -saw at once the original of the picture that his mother -had made for me. I never had seen such a face. I do -not expect ever to see another like it. I do not speak of -its beauty, though beauty was not wanting; nor of its -majesty, though majesty was not wanting; but of a mysterious -something that seemed to lie back of and shine -dimly through the comeliness and the kingliness—a power -behind the throne greater than the throne itself; more -beautiful than the beauty, more majestic than the majesty; -a certain something so pure, so wise, so mighty, -and yet so loving and pitiful, that Divinity himself seemed -looking through the windows of flesh. This was how he -seemed to me. It may be that he does not make the same -impression on all; indeed, I know that he does not. And -even to me, while I looked, there was a sensible coming -and going of the Divine expression—like a rapid flowing -and ebbing on the strand of a boundless sea of mingled -fire and foam. Nay, while I was absorbed in watching -him the Infinite seemed to sweep back and back, and at -last disappeared altogether—leaving nothing but the -purely human. But oh, what a human! The sands laid -bare were pure gold. So gentle, so tender, so sympathetic -as his tearful eyes rested on the tearful people—a frightened -dove or hind would have taken refuge in his bosom. -Mary evidently took refuge there.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span></p> - -<p>“‘Where have you laid him?’ said the most sympathetic -voice in the world.</p> - -<p>“‘Come and see,’ said the sisters; and led the way to -one of the tombs close by. The cave was wrought into -the brow of a hill, and was closed by a door against which -rested a large stone.</p> - -<p>“‘Take away the stone,’ said Jesus; and as he spake -I seemed to see the Infinite coming back into his face with -a mighty rush and completely covering the merely human -out of sight.</p> - -<p>“We were breathless with expectation.</p> - -<p>“He stood for a moment with eyes uplifted and lips -that moved—as if communing with the sky. Then, in -a voice that had in it such a commanding quality, such a -tone of unquestioned and unquestionable supremacy as I -had never before noticed in any voice, and which seemed -able to speak a world out of nothing, he cried:</p> - -<p>“‘<span class="smcap">Lazarus, come forth!</span>’</p> - -<p>“Would the dead hear? I <em>knew</em> he would hear. The -voice itself predicted a resurrection; and I felt in every -fibre of my being that almightiness was present and failure -impossible. And yet how intently I gazed on the -door of that tomb—how intently I listened for some sound -from within! He scarcely had done speaking, when, sure -enough, there was within the cave a stir, a rustle, a <em>step</em>. -Another moment and the heavy door swung open, as of -itself, and a man in grave-clothes appeared. The swathing -bands were still about his hands and feet—the napkin -was still about his face.</p> - -<p>“‘Loose him and let him go!’ bade Jesus.</p> - -<p>“The people obeyed, and lo, our friend Lazarus of -old! Not the fever-stricken, delirium-haunted, emaciated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span> -Lazarus of a few days ago, who could not have stood -on his feet without being wholly supported; but the Lazarus -of his best days, able to go and come and do with -the best. Also, looking as he did then, but with a difference. -The mystery of the unseen was in his face. He -seemed in possession of vast secrets. With this was a look, -first of bewilderment and surprise, then of recognition—recognition -of him whose potential word had brought him -back to the world. He knelt at the feet of Jesus, and -kissed his hand—as men do homage to their king. <em>His</em> -King had come.</p> - -<p>“Any doubt whether the death was real? Not to those -who, like myself, had seen the sick man decline from day -to day until the last feeble breath was drawn and the -body grew cold and stiff. Not to those who prepared the -body for burial and carried it forth to the tomb. Not to -those who stood by the cave-mouth when the door swung -back, four days after; nor to those who took off from the -living man the cerements of the dead. The smell of -death could not be mistaken. No, there is no doubt.</p> - -<p>“Since then I have seen Jesus several times, and have -talked with him. And I <em>know</em> that he is our Messiah. -Would that you and your grandfather and all the dear -family could see and hear him too! I feel that you all -would, and must, judge as I do. Both my eyes and my -heart recognize him. I seem to know him by a new -internal sense.</p> - -<p>“Not so, however, our chief men. He does not impress -them as he does me. They are getting exceedingly bitter -against him. Every new wonder increases their exasperation. -I am ashamed to say it—but I have no doubt -that they would gladly take his life. It must be that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span> -they are judicially blinded; or, if not, that an evil mood -of the heart and will wonderfully hinders perception in -religious matters.</p> - -<p>“I would like to say more; but I hope to see you soon, -and to make you a joyful sharer of my faith by a fuller -account of what I have seen and heard.</p> - -<p>“But what is this that I hear? Hints come to me -almost daily about you and the great alliance. And yet -you said nothing about it in your last. Just before he -left for Rome, your father wrote me that the emperor had -made proposals for you in behalf of his nephew and heir; -and that this was partly the occasion of his going to Rome. -I hope that you will speak freely in your next. I can see -what great advantage to our people, not to say to all -peoples, might come from such an alliance; especially as -I hear the best things said of the young Cæsar. He is -said to be like his excellent father. Is it possible that a -daughter of mine will become more than a second -Esther?”</p> - -<p>Such was the letter—omitting the usual formalities of -beginning and ending. While Seti was reading it, Rachel -kept her eyes fastened anxiously on his face—especially -as he approached the end. When at last he looked up, -she came and stood before him and put a hand on each -shoulder and looked beseechingly into his eyes.</p> - -<p>“Grandfather, had you known of this before?”</p> - -<p>Seti slowly bowed his head.</p> - -<p>“Why did not my father tell me?”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps he did not want to agitate you unnecessarily—perhaps -he wanted to see the young man and -make inquiries about him, and learn more fully from the -emperor himself all that was implied in the proposals<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span> -before allowing you to be troubled with the matter. You -see it was possible that such inquiries might show it best -to decline the offer without its coming before you at -all.”</p> - -<p>“Grandfather, let it <em>never</em> come before me. In advance, -I put it away from me with both hands.” And -then suddenly: “Do you think father would be willing to -sacrifice me, I do not say to ambition, for I know him -incapable of that, but to what he thinks to be the interests -of his people?”</p> - -<p>“I think,” said Seti slowly, “that he might be willing -to sacrifice himself for such an object, but would feel -that he has no right to sacrifice you. Sacrifices of this -sort must be voluntary.”</p> - -<p>“Then I am safe,” she exclaimed, “for my will is all -another way, and it has passed beyond my control. If a -victim is needed for our people, let father lay me on an -altar of stone or earth, as did our father Abraham his son -Isaac, and I will die by his hand gladly; but to die all -my life long on such an altar as Tiberius—this is beyond -my power, even for the good of Israel. It seems to me -an awful wickedness. I abhor the very thought of it.”</p> - -<p>“And so do I,” said Seti. “I do not believe in doing -evil that good may come, pagan though I——” (she put -her hand over his mouth). “But they say that Germanicus -is not a Tiberius, but is like his father, who was -among the very best of the Romans, both in character -and accomplishments; and is it not just possible that if -the young man should come here in person to plead his -own cause you would——”</p> - -<p>“I would <em>not</em>, grandfather; if he should come to me -with his head weighted with all the diadems that ever<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span> -were worn, and with all the personal accomplishments -that ever managed to flourish on a heathen, I would turn -my back upon him. There, now! Bear witness, ye -heavens!”</p> - -<p>“I think I understand you,” replied Seti, after a moment. -“I feel very much as you do about this matter, -heathen though——” (she again hurried her hand to his -mouth). “But do not speak in this way to others. I see -that the matter is getting abroad, and you will be likely -to get hints, inquiries, counsels, congratulations from -many quarters. Take refuge in silence. By all means -do not look like an empress, and an angry one, as you did -just now. You shall not be crowded into the imperial -throne for the sake of Israel, or for any other sake.”</p> - -<p>She kissed him for answer; laid her head on his -bosom; and, exhausted, went to sleep as he softly stroked -her shapely head. So he sat and held her in his arms -till the day was spent, and the old moon in the arms of -the new looked in at the casement, and saw the new -moon in the arms of the old. And those moons aloft -that are never weary, and worried, and worn, shed tears -over the sublunary ones whose lot is so different—tears -which the very early risers in Alexandria, the next morning, -mistook for dew. They were plain people; and, like -most in University towns, were not much wiser for the -University.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span></p> - -<h2>XII.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE VANISHING.</span></h2> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p>Καιρὸς πρὸς άνθρώπων βραχύ μέτρον έχει.</p> - -<p class="right">—<span class="smcap">Pindar</span>, <cite>Pyth.</cite> iv. 509.</p> - -<p><i>Opportunity for men has a brief measure.</i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span></p> - -<ul> -<li>1. Where are they?</li> -<li>2. Call on the governor.</li> -<li>3. Invoice the University.</li> -<li>4. Let Piso do his best.</li> -<li>5. Where is God?</li> -</ul> - -</div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span></p> - -<h3>XII.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE VANISHING.</span></h3> - -<p>Early the next morning Seti knocked at the door -of our friends. Getting no answer, he repeated the -knock. Still hearing nothing, he opened the door and -went in. The room was vacant; as was also the sleeping-room -adjoining. Plainly the latter had not been -occupied during the night. He was alarmed.</p> - -<p>Summoning two servants to follow him, he proceeded -to the khan with rapid steps. What was his dismay to -learn from the landlord that, shortly after Cimon and -Aleph came in, the evening before, a body of the city -police appeared and demanded to search their room for -jewelry stolen from the warehouse of Malus. Permission -being readily given, the Cretan agent of Malus, well -known in the city, who accompanied the party and conducted -the search, went fumbling about on his hands -and knees in the darker parts of the room; and finally -held up, with an exclamation of delight, a small casket -which he declared was the missing article, and had -been missing ever since Cimon’s visit to the warehouse. -Whereupon the chief of the police showed a warrant for -arresting Cimon. The young man protested, and declared -that he saw the Cretan slyly whip the casket out -of the bosom of his own tunic. But the older man<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span> -thought that the police were right in claiming that they -had no option in the case—he would go with them without -resistance, and his friend could take such measures -on the morrow for his relief as he might find best. So -he went off with the party, leaving the young man standing -at the gate.</p> - -<p>But this party had scarcely disappeared, when a band -of Roman soldiers came up and surrounded Aleph. “Are -you Aleph, the Chaldean?” demanded the leader.</p> - -<p>“So I am called,” said the young man.</p> - -<p>“Then we have been sent to arrest you.”</p> - -<p>“For what?” demanded Aleph.</p> - -<p>“For assault and battery here last night; and as a -suspected enemy of the emperor.”</p> - -<p>“Show me your warrant,” demanded the young man.</p> - -<p>The leader produced a document bearing what purported -to be the seal and signature of the governor. “Is -this document genuine?” said Aleph to the landlord, -who was standing by. The landlord looked at the paper -and nodded.</p> - -<p>“Then I will go with you,” said the young man -calmly. “But may I not first communicate my situation -to my friends, that they may have an opportunity to -set me right with the authorities?”</p> - -<p>“We were not authorized to allow delay for any -purpose.”</p> - -<p>“You will have to delay,” said Aleph, “for the purpose -of hearing and allowing these by-standers” (several -of the guests of the khan had by this time come up) -“to hear me declare that I am innocent of the charges -brought against me, and can prove as much, opportunity -being given me.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span></p> - -<p>A soldier approached to bind him. Aleph motioned -him away with his cane. “I have said that I will go -with you. I now say that I will go with you without -attempting to escape while going, provided you leave me -free and in possession of this cane. Otherwise the man -who approaches me does so at his peril.”</p> - -<p>After some consultation his demand was granted; and -he went off quietly with the party, saying to the landlord -as he went, “You can at least tell what you have -seen and heard.”</p> - -<p>Such was the account given to Seti. He remained -merely to ask a simple question: “Could there be any -doubt as to the party being real Roman soldiers?” The -landlord thought not: they had the equipment of Roman -soldiers; and, besides, their bearing and step together -were professional.</p> - -<p>The high-priest hastened back to the Serapeum, assumed -his pontifical robes, summoned a large train of -servants, and proceeded in his official chariot, drawn -by four white mules, to the Roman headquarters in -Bruchium. Arrived at the palace of the governor, a -herald stepped before the gate, blew a trumpet, and -cried: “Seti of the Serapeum, high-priest of Egypt -and metropolitan, desires audience of Avilleus Flaccus, -Proprætor and Legate of Cæsar and Governor of -Egypt.”</p> - -<p>In a few moments the gates were thrown open, and -the whole party entered a large court, where, at the foot -of a flight of marble steps, Seti alighted and was conducted -by an obsequious usher into the audience-room -and presence of the Roman governor.</p> - -<p>Seti was dignified and formal; coolly saluting his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span> -excellency with all the usual formalities, but not a jot -beyond. On the other hand, Flaccus, an ordinary man -to look at but wearing the extraordinary toga permitted -to the imperial representative, was exceedingly demonstrative -and deferential in welcoming his illustrious visitor. -He seemed to feel that, belonging only to the -Equestrian Order and with no ancestors save those -whose names had been written with water and in water, -he was socially far from being equal to the freezingly cold -and stately Egyptian pontiff whose sires had reigned in -palaces and temples before Rome was founded.</p> - -<p>Seti cut short the ceremonial. Would the governor -be good enough to say whether he had given an order for -the arrest of a regularly enrolled member of the University, -an inmate of the Serapeum, and a particular friend -of himself and the Alabarch Alexander?</p> - -<p>Flaccus appeared to consult his memory. He did not -remember to have given any such order.</p> - -<p>“An order to arrest one Aleph, the Chaldean, as a -disturber of the public peace and a suspected enemy of -the emperor?” suggested Seti.</p> - -<p>No, he did not think that he could have given such -an order.</p> - -<p>“An order executed last evening by a company of -Roman soldiers?” continued the priest in the same icy -tone.</p> - -<p>“Certainly not.”</p> - -<p>“I am glad to hear it, and to have your authority for -denying the report that is getting abroad. It may also -be for your interest to deny it personally as you have -opportunity; for the young man in question is a great -favorite, not only with the Alabarch and myself, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span> -also with the young men in the University, who represent -the noblest Roman families and a great interest with -the emperor and the Cæsar.”</p> - -<p>“I think,” said Flaccus, with a not very successful -attempt at an arch look, “that I know of somebody who -is likely to have more interest with Germanicus than any -of them.”</p> - -<p>“However that may be,” said Seti emphatically, “it -is certain that the young man will have such justice as -our best efforts can secure.”</p> - -<p>“What can I do?” said the Roman uneasily.</p> - -<p>“I will tell your excellency,” said the Egyptian. -“It is understood in the city that a party of Roman -soldiers, under a written warrant from you, arrested and -carried off, we know not where, a privileged member of -the University, for whom the best vouchers can be found. -But, as I now learn from you, that warrant must have -been forged; and what appeared to be Roman soldiers, -were not such, but other parties in disguise. Now I -would respectfully suggest that you give me and the -other friends of the young man written authority to -search for and rescue him at whatever cost to those who -have carried him off. This will answer our purpose, -and at the same time serve to defend you from the suspicions -of the people.”</p> - -<p>Flaccus hesitated, bit his lip, twirled a gold badge -that hung from his neck, looked at every object in the -room save Seti. Seti looked at nothing save him.</p> - -<p>The priest rose to go. “Time is of great consequence -to me this morning. Am I to understand that your -excellency declines to authorize me in writing to rescue -from robbers and murderers a young man for whom the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span> -Alabarch and myself, as well as the University at large, -offer to stand vouchers?”</p> - -<p>“I do not see why you need a written authorization -from me,” said Flaccus, beginning to sharpen a reed.</p> - -<p>“I did not say that we need such a document. <em>You</em> -need to give it.” He said this last in a low but a very -distinct and measured tone of voice.</p> - -<p>“Well, I will give it,” said the governor with sudden -decision—“if it will oblige you and your friends.”</p> - -<p>“It <em>will</em> oblige us,” said Seti; and in a few moments -he took punctilious leave with the desired document in -his possession.</p> - -<p>He returned at once to the Serapeum. Resuming his -ordinary dress, he proceeded to the lecture room, where, -as yet, he found only two or three students, among whom -was Publius Cornelius. He beckoned them to him, and -asked such co-operation as they could give in a matter he -was about to bring before the whole class. Shortly they -came pouring in, rather obstreperously, I fear, as college -boys have been wont to do from the beginning; but as -soon as they set eyes on their teacher there was a profound -hush; for they saw at once that something unusual -had happened—that the Seti they had hitherto known -had given place to quite a different Seti and a much -younger man. All the old dignity and authority were in -his face and bearing; but somehow there had come into -the old look a roused and forceful expression such as a -crisis might be expected to call out in a young man -largely endowed both as a man of thought and action. -Calm, watchful, mindful of all that is passing and likely -to pass, prepared to throw his whole force into action at -a moment’s warning. All the students were in a hush of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span> -expectation as they saw the new man sitting on the -old bema.</p> - -<p>He began with saying that he had no lecture for them -that morning. But he had something better than a -lecture—an opportunity for a good action. He then concisely -and simply narrated his morning experiences, and -held up the document he had obtained from Flaccus. -Perhaps the young man had been killed. Perhaps he -was only imprisoned in some out-of-the-way place. It -was for his friends to find out the facts as soon as possible. -He knew of none who could do as prompt and good service -in the matter as the generous-minded fellow-students of -the extraordinary young man who had so commended -himself to their admiration. Would they undertake it?</p> - -<p>The response was instantaneous. Many sprang to -their feet, with flushed faces and hot, indignant words.</p> - -<p>“A conspiracy!” cried one.</p> - -<p>“An insult to the University,” cried another. Some -called out “<i>Draco</i>” interrogatively; and others, of the -bolder and more highly connected of the Romans, among -whom was Publius Cornelius, shook their fists significantly -in the direction of the Cæsareum. One thing was -evident to the watchful eye of Seti—that there would be -no lack of sympathetic readiness on the part of the Serapeum -to act as he wished. What did he wish?</p> - -<p>This was brought out by Cornelius, who declared that -they were all of one mind to further any plan that their -venerable instructor might have to propose; and moved -that a committee be appointed to confer with him as to -what had best be done. He also proposed that this committee -should secure the co-operation of the Museum, -which he had no doubt would be enthusiastically given.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Besides,” he added, as he repeated his emphatic -gesture toward the north-east, “the Museum is nearer -than ourselves to the sources of this mischief and can -explore them better.”</p> - -<p>A committee was appointed—including Cornelius. -These gathered about Seti. His plan was that some -students should find out whether Draco and the son of -Flaccus were present in the city all the last night—that -others should find out whether any soldiers were then -absent from their quarters, and if so to whose force they -belonged—that still others should watch the gates and -harbors for their return and note the time and direction -of it—that still others should rummage the streets, especially -in the neighborhood of the khan Rachotis, for some -who had observed the party, noticed the direction they -took, perhaps witnessed an embarkation. The students -interested were so many, they could, by properly distributing -themselves, make all these inquiries at once. No time -should be lost. Let them report to him.</p> - -<p>Feeling sure that the young men would need no further -impulse, the priest left them, and, stopping at his room for -the parcel which Cimon had put in his hands, proceeded to -the office of Alexander’s legal adviser. This was in a -wing of the extensive palace of the great banker whose -affairs furnished the greater part of the business of the -lawyer. The man was both a Roman and a Greek—his -father being from Tusculum, and his mother from -Athens. He possessed in a remarkable degree the mental -characteristics of both nations—the practical and resolute -character of the one, and the acuteness and subtlety -of the other. To a profound knowledge of Roman law, -especially as applied in the provinces, he added a familiar<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span> -acquaintance with the usages of Alexandria as a business -community—having lived in the city from childhood. -Alexander early discovered his abilities, and by degrees -made him a confidential adviser in legal matters, especially -after he became a proselyte and attached himself to -the Diapleuston.</p> - -<p>Marcus Piso was not much of a man to look at—at the -first look. Small, slender, somewhat stooping, no longer -young—it was necessary to be with him for a time and -watch his face and manner—his keen eye and protuberant -brow—as he dispatched business with one and another. -Then he inspired confidence both as to his ability and -integrity. Then one said, “Alexander is not mistaken -in his man.”</p> - -<p>The little man did <em>not</em> show to advantage as he rose -to receive his imposing visitor. But, what was better -under the circumstances, he at once conducted Seti to an -inner office and listened with all his ears, and eyes too, to -a brief account of our friends, of what had just transpired, -and of the measures taken for the discovery of Aleph.</p> - -<p>“I tell you these facts,” said Seti, “to interest you as -much as possible in these men whom the Alabarch and -myself intend to support and befriend to the utmost of -our power.”</p> - -<p>“I have been strongly interested in them ever since -the affair at the Diapleuston, which I happened to witness; -and my thoughts were running on them when you -came in; for news of the arrest of Cimon for theft had -just reached me.”</p> - -<p>“As if a man having credit with Alexander to the -amount of 200,000 gold staters was likely to pilfer! No, -the charge and the arrest were gotten up to prevent or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span> -discredit an impending suit by Cimon against Malus. -And Aleph has been killed, or spirited away, partly to -aid the same purpose, and partly to gratify the malice of -certain others whose names you can guess.”</p> - -<p>Seti then produced Cimon’s parcel, and continued: -“I am told that you will find in this parcel all needful -particulars in regard to the proposed suit against Malus. -Please examine it at once and if you find it warrants legal -proceedings institute them without delay. Of course -Malus is strongly intrenched and will fight to the death; -but we will back you with all our forces. I am sure that -I speak for Alexander as well as for myself. Meanwhile, -whatever you can do to cancel or relieve the imprisonment -of Cimon, please do. The case of the young man I will -look after myself.”</p> - -<p>Seti’s next visit was to Rachel—not by way of the -street, but by a private door in the inner office of the -advocate, by which he was accustomed to communicate -with the banker. He found his granddaughter in Miriam’s -room. And he saw at once, in the looks of the two -women, that the evil news had preceded him. Miriam -looked totally exhausted, and lay on her bed feebly -moaning, with closed eyes; her hand held by Rachel. -As to Rachel herself, Seti was struck by the change that -had taken place. A touch of mingled amazement and -suffering was in her face; but into the profoundly emotional -expression had come “<i lang="la">nescio quod preclarum et -singulare</i>”—a look of self-control that had been fought -for and taken possession of by fire and sword; such a -victory that another like it would be ruin. A certain -new and powerful expression was in every feature. -Lights and shadows of the heroic were hiding in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span> -depths of her eyes and in the curves of her lips. She -came and sat on a stool at his feet.</p> - -<p>“Grandfather, we have tried to wait patiently for -you. You see that we know all. Now tell us what you -have done; for I know you have done something.”</p> - -<p>Seti told of his morning movements.</p> - -<p>“Do you think it possible that they have <em>killed</em> -him?” she asked with awe in her voice and white -lips.</p> - -<p>“Sometimes I think not; and yet it would be hard -to give my reasons. His enemies are capable of any -crime. Perhaps the only ground of my opinion or feeling -that he has not been killed is the wonderful resources, -both of body and mind, which he has for self-protection. -I have never seen a young man with such powers, and -such a complete and never-failing mastery of them. He -is a natural prince and hero, and somehow and somewhere -has had a training to match. He is just the man -for great and desperate situations. He is an empire in -himself. I hardly wonder at Cornelius, who says of him -that he has in his veins the blood of the immortal gods. -Body and soul, he is built like a temple. What Karnac -was, Aleph the Chaldean is.”</p> - -<p>“It is even so, grandfather,” murmured the maiden; -and she buried her burning face in her hands.</p> - -<p>“This gives me hope,” continued Seti. “Besides, -as I have told you, he refused to be bound or to give up -his staff; and the same wariness that led him to retain -this means of defense would be apt to keep him on his -guard against assault. Yes, such a great and resourceful -nature would not be killed easily.”</p> - -<p>“Say <em>not at all</em>, grandfather. Let us not <em>imagine</em><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span> -such a thing, lest it take the heart out of us,” and she -shuddered.</p> - -<p>Seti looked at her keenly for a moment. She suddenly -drew herself up as she sat, tossed away with both hands -the heavy tresses that had fallen over her face, and looked -up with wide-open eyes into his. He laid his hand tenderly -on her head, and sighed before saying:</p> - -<p>“It is as you say. We must hope for the best if we -would escape the worst. Aleph the Chaldean <em>is</em> a living -prisoner somewhere, and we must find and release him -as soon as possible. So I must go.”</p> - -<p>“Take Miriam and me as active, though invisible, -partners in this matter, dear grandfather,” pleaded -Rachel. “It is necessary for us if not for you. We cannot -sit here and wait, and wait, with folded hands till -somebody brings us word of what others are doing, or -trying to do. It would kill us. We have kept ourselves -alive thus far only by praying: now we must have something -to do to help our praying. You see how the case -stands with me—it is a <em>necessity</em>.”</p> - -<p>“But what can you do?”</p> - -<p>“We can at least <em>try</em> to do in some womanly ways. -This will be a relief to us. You are working by means -of the famous University; perhaps we can work quite as -effectively by a humbler class of agents. At least we can -<em>try</em>: and our thinking and planning may save us if they -do not save him. In my father’s absence I want your -approval.”</p> - -<p>“I think you are right,” said the priest slowly. “So -be it, then. It may be that your womanly devisings -will be the first to penetrate the mystery. I shall not -complain if it prove so.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span></p> - -<p>Seti kissed her and departed, saying to himself, “Some -trees are killed by decapitation, but this tree becomes -thriftier and fairer than ever.”</p> - -<p><em>Was</em> it decapitation? Well, if it was not that, it was -something that marvellously resembled it. Seti was an -experienced man, and his faculty of insight was great: -and I would sooner take his judgment in the matter than -that of most. He thought the trial that had befallen his -granddaughter terribly severe. I think the same. I -should be sorry to have that stroke repeated. Nobly as -the first blow has been borne, I could not answer for -a second. There are limits to successful pruning. A -plant may be decapitated once too often. Seti thought -so too, and he carried away with him a greater burden -than he brought; for now he understood that the question -was no longer how to save Aleph, but how to save -Aleph and Rachel.</p> - -<p>The Egyptian went home praying—praying to <i>Amun -Re</i>. An able lawyer, an enthusiastic University, a resourceful -high-priest armed with an official document, -were all very well in their place; but they needed presiding -over and empowering by the Supernatural. Would -He do it? In the course of his long observation, Seti -had known some striking cases of poetical justice in -human affairs. The wicked had been taken in their own -toils. Into the pits they had dug for their neighbors they -had fallen themselves. But it was often otherwise. The -righteous had fallen before the wicked. Craft and power -and powerful money had proved too mighty for goodness -and justice. If good causes had always thrived, the -Romans would not be in Egypt, nor Flaccus in the -Cæsareum, nor Malus in the grandest warehouse of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span> -Emporium Street. So who can tell what <i>Amun Re</i> will -do? And yet prayer is the breath of the nations and the -ages. Nature herself says, <i>Let us pray</i>.</p> - -<p>So the thoughts of Seti prayed, and prayed mightily, -as he bent his steps to the Serapeum.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span></p> - -<h2>XIII.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE SEARCH.</span></h2> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p>Αλλοτ’ άλλοῖσι διαιθύσσουσιν ἀυραι.</p> - -<p class="right">—<span class="smcap">Pindar</span>, <cite>Olymp.</cite> vii. 173.</p> - -<p><i>Different winds rush in different directions.</i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a></span></p> - -<ul> -<li>1. Oh, for Ariadne!</li> -<li>2. Leaping to a conclusion.</li> -<li>3. Domestics at new work.</li> -<li>4. Pharos and some stars.</li> -</ul> - -</div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[295]</a></span></p> - -<h3>XIII.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE SEARCH.</span></h3> - -<p>Rachel went and sat by the bedside, in long -silence. At length she began unconsciously to -think aloud—at first slowly and with long pauses; then -more rapidly.</p> - -<p>“They have <em>not</em> killed him. Then they have taken -him out of the city to confine him somewhere.... The -shortest and least embarrassed way out of the city would -be by the gate of the Moon to Mareotis.... Here boat -would be taken. Where would it go? There is no place -where a prisoner could be confined on the islands of the -lake or on the southern shore—none in the pleasure-villas -on the banks of the canal connecting the lake with the -Nile—none on the Nile itself till one comes to the fortress -that once belonged to the family of Seti, but now -is in possession of the Roman governor. I have it—there -<em>are</em> dungeons there, and Sextus Flaccus has access to -them, and they are well away from observation. <em>That</em> is -the place where they have carried him.”</p> - -<p>Her face flushed, and her eyes flashed with sudden -decision. “Grandfather’s way may be sure, but it is -slow; and by the time he finds his way up the Nile to -the Setian stronghold it may be too late. I will leap to -a conclusion.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[296]</a></span></p> - -<p>She at once summoned all the domestics of the household. -Did any of them know of a traveling merchant, -accustomed to carry his wares from house to house along -the east bank of the Nile? Several knew of such a person. -Was he a Jew? Was he of the Diapleuston? Was -he quick-witted and prudent? Was he now in the city? -Receiving an affirmative answer to all these questions, -she at once dispatched a man who professed to know -where the peddler could be found, to bring him without -delay.</p> - -<p>In less than an hour her messenger returned with the -very peddler whose acquaintance we made in the first -chapter of this narrative. She looked at him narrowly. -He was not an attractive object—what with his poor -clothes, his unkempt hair, and his excessive obsequiousness. -But he did look shrewd and to a degree reliable. -At all events she must try him. So she told him that -she had heard a favorable account of his intelligence and -discretion; that she wanted to employ such a man to go -up the Nile as far as the Setian palace on a confidential -mission. She wished to find out, without the knowledge -of any armed force that might be there, whether a young -man is held in confinement in the palace. And she -thought that, if he would furnish himself with such a -pack of goods as seemed most likely to attract the servants -and others about the premises, he might incidentally -contrive to get from them the desired information. -She would furnish the goods, and, besides, reward him -richly for the service.</p> - -<p>“Is the young man tall and marvelously well proportioned?” -inquired the Jew.</p> - -<p>“He is.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[297]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Has he the face of Moses, and the bearing of a -king?”</p> - -<p>“So it is said.”</p> - -<p>“Is it not he who on the last Sabbath defended our -synagogue from sacrilege?”</p> - -<p>“It is.”</p> - -<p>“Then,” said the peddler, “I will do what the lady -asks of me—not for her rewards, though Father Abraham -knows that I am poor enough. I will do it for the -young man’s sake, who can beat the heathen at their own -weapons. I can beat them in trade; but it is a satisfaction -to me to see them beaten after another fashion.”</p> - -<p>“Have you ever been at the palace?” inquired -Rachel.</p> - -<p>“Often, in the way of trade. An old Egyptian and -his wife, a Jewess, keep the place when the governor is -not there, and are employed about the premises in some -way at all times.”</p> - -<p>“Here is a purse of gold. Make up your pack as -attractive to these people as possible. Stay with them -as long as you can. Be ingenious. Keep eyes and ears -open. Spare no money nor promises that will help your -object. I will see that your promises are fulfilled. Take -the first boat going south; be put ashore at a little distance -from the palace; then do the best an ingenious -man can, to find out whether Aleph, the Chaldean, is -confined there, and, if so, how he may be released. Return -or send as soon as possible. But stop——”</p> - -<p>She went to a desk, and wrote on a small sheet of -papyrus as follows: “Your friends have found you. -You shall have help soon.—R.”</p> - -<p>She handed the paper to the Jew, saying, “Should<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[298]</a></span> -you find him, perhaps you may be able to get this to -him.”</p> - -<p>The man hastened away. What should she do now, -and during the days that might pass before she could -hope to hear from the peddler? To sit still and wait, -she felt to be impossible. Was there anything more she -could be doing to keep her heart from preying on itself? -She asked the question of Miriam as well as of herself.</p> - -<p>Miriam had quickened and strengthened bodily under -the rousing of thought and care for one outside of herself, -and was sitting up thoughtfully in her bed. Yes, -she thought that something further might be done. She -doubted whether the students would be as good at getting -information from the town-people as would some -others. The frequent broils and jealousies between the -two classes would put inquirers at a disadvantage. And, -then, the people who would be most likely to notice the -abduction, because most likely to be abroad in the evening, -would be the humbler classes, whose homes had -little to attract them. The humble stall-keepers; the -daily workmen hanging about the street-corners; the -street-boys, brimful of curiosity, afraid of nothing, ready -to run after anything unusual; the watermen, that wait -for jobs at the gate of the Moon or on the lake-wharves, -would be more likely to notice and more free to speak of, -to people of their own class, the passing of the soldiers.</p> - -<p>“Suppose we ask the servants,” said she, “whether -they know any of their own class living on the route from -the khan to the Gate—any workmen, or watermen, or -waifs likely to have been in that neighborhood waiting for -what might turn up. If they themselves do not know of -any such, they will be likely to know some who do; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[299]</a></span> -so inquiries may be set in motion through all the humbler -classes. Give the servants a holiday—several holidays, if -necessary. We can dispense with them. I feel a return -of my old vigor—the God of Israel be praised!” and, to -the surprise of Rachel, the woman drew herself from the -bed into a chair that stood by the side of it.</p> - -<p>Rachel was too much absorbed in her object and plans -to spend any time in speculating on that mysterious connection -of the soul with the body that enables the former -in its roused state to infuse its own healthy vigor into -the latter. But she was glad that the pressure of circumstances -had so opportunely transformed the helpless -into a helper, and only begged her not to exert herself -too much, as she carefully drew the wraps about her.</p> - -<p>Rachel welcomed the suggestions of Miriam; and -soon the many servants of that large household were -abroad seeking for information, or seeking those who -could seek it better than themselves.</p> - -<p>Toward the close of the day Seti appeared to report that -Sextus Flaccus had been found to have been in the city -all the previous night, and that, apparently, no soldiers -had been absent from their quarters. But Draco had -disappeared from early in the evening, and had been -traced to Mareotis—this seemed to Rachel a particle of -light. No reports as yet from the students watching the -gates and harbors, or from those seeking traces within -the city. Rachel told Seti of the supplementary measures -she had taken for getting information within the -city, but she said nothing of the peddler and his expedition. -I hardly know why. Perhaps it was because she -thought the womanly logic of the movement would not -commend itself to a philosopher.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[300]</a></span></p> - -<p>The next morning Miriam was still better—indeed -almost seemed to forget in her new object of absorbing -interest that she was an invalid at all. As yet the servants -had made no report; having come in late the -night before and gone out again before light in the -morning. Inactive waiting is an uneasy business at the -best; so Rachel determined to have as little of it as possible. -She sent off a servant with a basket of provisions -to the house of the peddler with instructions to learn at -what hour he left the city and in what sort of craft; for -there was almost as much difference then as now in the -speed of vessels. She found that the active man, within -an hour from the time he left her, had managed to provide -himself with a more attractive pack than he had -ever before carried, and to get on board a well-appointed -merchant vessel just starting southward with a fair wind -and not a few oars. This was some comfort. She -prayed that the wind might follow fast, and that the -rowers might be able and willing at their toil.</p> - -<p>In the course of the day another small comfort (small -and transient like the scarcely perceptible shade of greenness -that sometimes comes even in the heart of winter, -for a few hours, to some sunny nook and then retreats as -fast as it came) came with some scraps of information -brought in by the servants. They reported that the company -of soldiers had been noticed at different points in -the Egyptian quarter; and, on comparing these points, -the women saw that they meant a movement toward the -gate of the Moon. This was a much-needed encouragement -to Seti, who came in the evening to say that the -students had as yet been able to draw no information -from the people whatever. They seemed to regard all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[301]</a></span> -the inquiries with suspicion, as if they meant some College -prank against which their best refuge was silence. -What so many students wanted to know they would do -well to conceal. So the young men spoke to deaf ears -and silent tongues. Still they would not discontinue -their inquiries. They hoped that all their ravens would -not come home to roost.</p> - -<p>The next day added considerably to the stock of information. -Several street-boys who were hanging about the -gate and wharves on the night in question had been ferreted -out in their various dens by the servants, and agreed -that a company of soldiers with a prisoner passed through -the gate while they were there, and took boat to a -larger craft lying out some little distance in the lake. On -their part the students had discovered that the pleasure-galley -of the Flacci had been absent from its station ever -since the same evening, and had been seen by a waterman -steering toward the canal and the Nile. Rachel was now -so satisfied that her first movement was a wise one that -she told Seti of it. He was glad that so time-saving a -measure had been adopted; and returned to inform the -students that such traces had been discovered that they -need no longer continue their inquiries in the city, but -should hold themselves in readiness to co-operate in -another movement that might be necessary. He now felt -quite sure that the soldiers employed in the abduction -were <em>discharged</em> soldiers—men who from age and other -reasons were no longer in active service—of whom there -were not a few in the city quite ready to lend themselves -to the purposes and the pay of such a man as Sextus -Flaccus.</p> - -<p>Immersed in her cares for Aleph, Rachel had neglected<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[302]</a></span> -till to-day to inquire about Cimon and his affairs. -For this she blamed herself roundly. But she was glad -to learn that her father’s solicitor had found Cimon’s -papers very complete as against Malus, had formally instituted -a suit, had been able as Cimon’s official advocate to -procure admittance to him and arrange for his comfort -till his trial should come off, that the chief clerk of Malus, -who had been discharged by him as soon as he learned -how liberal of business information he had been to -Cimon, had come to him with valuable evidence. Three -suits were to come off in the following order—(1) The -suit of Malus against Shaphan and Nathan, (2) the suit of -Malus against Cimon, (3) the suit of Cimon against Malus. -Marcus Piso was more than satisfied with this order; -for he felt that the first two trials would throw much -damaging light on the character and operations of Malus -and prepare the way for the success of Cimon’s suit -against him.</p> - -<p>“But then those Roman courts! Who could guarantee -their equity! Would not the Flaccan influence be -supreme in them and in favor of the supreme criminal -in whose misdeeds it had long participated! The Most -High only knows! If possible, we must make the right -of the case so plain that neither court nor government -can go against it without the whole people crying shame -on them. And this I am more and more inclined to -think can be done.” ... So encouraged Marcus Piso. -At the same time, with a shadow on his face, he admitted -that the devil was strong.</p> - -<p>The next day was the Sabbath. The family of Alexander -were very strict in their observance of the day, but -not so unreasonably strict as to refuse works of necessity<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[303]</a></span> -and mercy. Miriam (now wonderfully improved) and -Rachel would not have hesitated to plan and do, to any -extent, in so urgent a case as that of Aleph if they could -have seen opportunity. But, until they should hear from -the peddler, what more could be done? Certainly nothing -but praying. So they gave themselves wholly to this -mighty form of working. The God of Israel, so pitiful -and so powerful, and who had said, “Call upon me in -the day of trouble and I will deliver thee,” was invoked -that day with an energy and whole-heartedness that -seemed bound to cross all the spaces and make its way to -the very foothold of the Throne. Till the public services -at the Diapleuston, the women were scarcely off their -knees for a moment.</p> - -<p>At the synagogue, to her surprise, Rachel found Seti -seated where Cimon and Aleph had been placed on the -last Sabbath. She went and sat down by him for a few -moments, placing her hand in his; and then went to her -own place. The selections from the Law and the Prophets -by her uncle Philo, as well as his remarks that followed, -seemed to her to have a most positive though veiled reference -to the case, which she felt was by this time weighting -all their minds with its certainties and uncertainties. -She felt it good to be there. There was something soothing -and supporting in the sympathetic atmosphere. And -so she lingered after the conclusion of the services.</p> - -<p>While thus lingering, she noticed a woman of the -humbler class trying to make her way somewhat impatiently -toward her through the slow-moving crowd. As -soon as she came near enough the woman thrust into her -hand a paper rudely folded and at once passed on with -the rest of the retiring congregation. Rachel opened the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[304]</a></span> -paper at once, and with some difficulty deciphered the -following:</p> - -<p>“He is here. They are trying to starve him. I can -prevent that for a little; but the custodes will take no -decisive step till they have had my promises in your -behalf confirmed by your own lips.”</p> - -<p>When she had finished reading the scrawl she found -Seti standing by her side and drawing her arm within -his. It was timely. Unsupported she might have fallen. -It was a flash of light that she had longed for, but it had -in it something of the threat and terribleness of a flash of -lightning. It revealed, but it revealed an urgent danger. -Her agitation remained voiceless till they had reached -home and Seti had read the letter. It lifted a cloud from -his brow. Now they knew that Aleph was still alive, -knew where to find him, could make some reasonable plan -for his rescue. He congratulated her. Early to-morrow -they would go up the river in the galley of Alexander, -well-equipped with resolute men. Perhaps he would ask -some of the students to follow at a distance in another -galley. They might not be needed; but it was well to -overlap emergencies with our provisions. At all events, -the young men would be gratified—and they deserved to -be. He had never thought so well of young men since he -was a young man himself. Especially of Cornelius. Such -unselfish enthusiasm and untiring effort in behalf of a -confessed superior, such hearty use of his influence and -leadership to further all plans in aid of Aleph—why, -they spoke almost as loudly for Rome as Tiberius and -the Flacci did against it!</p> - -<p>The clouds on the horizon had begun to redden. -Was it from the rising or the setting sun? Neither Seti<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[305]</a></span> -nor Rachel could tell; for they did not know the east -and west of Providence. It was indeed something to -have found that Aleph was still living (a fact which they -had compelled themselves to assume, but which phantoms -with mocking faces and whispering voices were all the -while challenging at both ears); also that he was at the -Setian palace. Now they could localize and focalize their -exertions in his behalf. This was at first a very sensible -relief. But, in finding these facts, they had also found -that their friend was in the hands of a body of desperadoes -who were seeking his life. Might they not succeed -before the swiftest help could reach him? Perhaps they -had succeeded already. That single poor peddler was a -mighty thin partition between life and death. So the -clouds which had thinned away somewhat soon thickened -up again into the old blackness. Through the live-long -night the waves of hope and fear alternately beat on the -vexed strands whose names were Seti and Rachel.</p> - -<p>The wear and tear of such times are very great on -some people. A single night has been known to bow a -form as stately as Seti’s—to blanch tresses as young and -beautiful as Rachel’s. But let us hope the best for both -sufferers. One of them is strong in youth, the other is -strong in age. Neither will be easily overborne. Neither -is a stretch of low-lying sands, easily loosened and carried -out to sea in rough weather. Both are highlands, -fronted and ribbed with rocks for the sea to dash and -roar upon—rocky convictions of the supernatural, rocky -faith in a divine government, rocky <i lang="la">mens conscia recti</i>. -In this I find some comfort. At the same time I know -that even rock-bound coasts sometimes suffer heavily in a -wild time. Have I not walked on such a coast the day<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[306]</a></span> -after the storm has been hurling its battalions upon it -and found it ragged and torn and strewn with ruins—the -battle-field of yesterday? And I am far from saying but -that this may be just the condition in which the sore -winds and waves of their trial may leave Seti and Rachel. -We must be prepared for the worst while we hope the -best. Should the worst come, no heart will be sorer than -mine.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[307]</a></span></p> - -<h2>XIV.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE ARGONAUTS.</span></h2> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p>Φιλεῖ δὲ τῷ κάμοντι συσπέυδειν θεός?</p> - -<p class="right">—<cite>Anon.</cite></p> - -<p><i>Does God love to help the struggling good man?</i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[308]</a></span></p> - -<ul> -<li>1. How best to do it.</li> -<li>2. Song for signal.</li> -<li>3. The golden fleece and dragon.</li> -<li>4. Hair-breadth——?</li> -<li>5. Even as He.</li> -</ul> - -</div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[309]</a></span></p> - -<h3>XIV.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE ARGONAUTS.</span></h3> - -<p>Early the next morning the pinnace of Alexander -was moving toward the Nile as fast as eight strong -oarsmen and a fair breeze could carry it. Under a silken -awning in the stern sat Seti and Rachel: while at some -distance a few stout male servants in holiday attire leaned -over the bulwarks, watching the water ripple away from -the shapely sides, listening to the low monotonous stroke-song -of the rowers as they rhythmically struck the waters, -and occasionally talking together in a low tone.</p> - -<p>Seemingly it was a holiday excursion—nothing more. -The whole aspect of things on board that delicate butterfly -of a vessel, including the lovely maiden in her rich -robes, with her harp standing by her side, was that of a -pleasure party. No one looking from shore or passing -vessel would have thought that such a festival barge with -its luxurious and dainty furnishings and daintier mistress -was heavily weighted with anxious thoughts of peril -and conflict.</p> - -<p>To Rachel, her surroundings, from the cloudless sky -and wooing breeze to the costly and delicate sea-chariot -on which she was borne, seemed almost so many mockeries. -Her real sky was full of clouds, her real wind was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[310]</a></span> -the breath of storms, and the real galley on which her -spirit was sailing was a war ship full of swords and spears -and faces threatening battle. She found it very hard to -cover her anxieties with the serene face and manner which -she felt the situation demanded. So she kept the servants -as far from her as possible, that their prying eyes -and ears might not play too successfully on herself and -Seti.</p> - -<p>They were hardly well afloat before Seti began to unfold -his plan of proceeding.</p> - -<p>“It is very important,” said he, “that we implicate -the Flacci, both father and son, as little as possible in -this affair. The father, bad as he is, probably has nothing -to do with the abduction; and so ought not to suffer -on account of it. The guilty party is Sextus; who, having -access to his father’s official seal and blank forms, -forged the warrant for the arrest, and then employed -some dissolute companions of his among the discharged -Roman soldiers to execute the warrant. These having -no duties in the city have not yet returned, and so the -watch of the students for them has been in vain. Sextus -is the great criminal in the case and deserves exposure. -But, if we so manage the matter as to expose him both to -his mortified father and the public, we shall be sure so to -exasperate both of them as to throw their whole influence, -under one pretext or another, against us in the impending -suit against Malus. And that would be a very serious -matter. So we must try to rescue Aleph as quietly -as possible—in some way that does not direct public suspicion -toward the Flacci at all. If we should appear before -the castle of the governor with a sufficient force to -back us, and demand the prisoner, the whole affair would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[311]</a></span> -at once go abroad to the four winds, and cry <span class="smcap">Flaccus</span> in -every ear from Pharos to the Cataracts: besides, the garrison -would probably deny having the prisoner, and contrive -some way of disposing of him before we could effect -an entrance. So the best way for us is to persuade the -custodes to give Aleph the means of making his own escape; -and we can be near to receive him and carry him -quietly back to the city—saying nothing as to where he -was found and how rescued. If this plan fails we must, -of course, resort to rougher methods.”</p> - -<p>“Do you think,” inquired the maiden, “that Aleph -would have submitted so quietly to the arrest had he not -supposed it made by the proper authorities?”</p> - -<p>“Certainly not. He yielded to what he supposed to -be the government of the country in which for the time -being he was living.”</p> - -<p>“In that case, if he were assured that the arrest was -pronounced unwarranted by the governor, and that he -was expressly allowed to free himself by any means, -would he not be likely to make great efforts to free himself?”</p> - -<p>“Doubtless, if opportunity could be found. But -how is he to break down an iron door with his hands, or, -with his hands dig through massive stone walls settled together -and cemented by ages? I know that dungeon -well. It is the strongest in all Egypt. Supreme strength -and courage must have opportunity. Genius must have -some capital of favorable circumstance on which to work. -Even heroes must have ground on which to stand, and -scope for their arms. No, I know the place too well to -think that our young friend, full of resources as he is, -can do anything to help himself till he is at least outside<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[312]</a></span> -of the dungeon, or till some fitting tools have been introduced -into it.”</p> - -<p>“I knew the castle belonged to your ancestors, and is -rightfully yours; but I did not suppose that you knew -anything about the interior.”</p> - -<p>“See here!” said the Egyptian, as he drew from the -folds of his robe a parchment discolored by age, and unrolled -it before her. “Here is a plan of the whole -structure, cellars and dungeon included. This has come -down to me through many generations, together with a -written description of every part of the structure; and, -though I have never set foot in it, I think I could find -my way about it without the least difficulty. There has -always lingered in the family a vague faith, be it superstition -or not, that this noblest of the ancient Egyptian -palaces was destined to come back to us some day; and so -the eldest in our line has always made it a point to know -as much about the structure as if he were in actual possession.”</p> - -<p>“Explain the plan to me, my dear grandfather. It -may somehow help us in what we have to do. I, too, -would like to be able to thread my way alone over the -whole.”</p> - -<p>“Heaven (<em>your</em> Heaven) forbid that you shall have -need to do so. Still, we have leisure for an explanation, -at least in part; and it will be in the way of our family -custom. This line (pointing) represents the high and -massive stone wall that surrounds the whole palace, together -with extensive grounds in the rear. There are -three gates to this all surrounding wall—one in front, -opening on a flight of steps to the river by which the -master and his friends come and go; the others far<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[313]</a></span> -back on the north and south sides and chiefly used -by servants for communicating with the little hamlets -that lie, one above and the other below the palace. -On the river side of the inclosure rises the quadrangle -of the palace. The front and two connected sides -contain the state and family apartments: the rear is given -up to servants and the various offices belonging to them. -Of course the soldiers are quartered in this last. We will -only study this part now. It is of only a single story -above ground. Right here in the middle is a large room -where doubtless the soldiers eat and drink: to the right -and left of it are their lodging rooms and the kitchens. -Directly under this common and mess room is the single -dungeon of the castle, connected by a flight of steps with -the mess room, and also by another flight through a -heavy iron door with the rear grounds of the castle. One -can reach the dungeon only through the iron door or by -descending from the common mess room. The wine and -provision cellars are to the right and left of the dungeon, -and a narrow passage runs before the whole.”</p> - -<p>“Has the dungeon any light and ventilation?” inquired -Rachel anxiously.</p> - -<p>“Only through the narrow grated opening in the wall -by which food can be introduced without opening the -door; and the narrow passage before all the vaults is only -dimly lighted by a barred opening near the ceiling at -either end.”</p> - -<p>“Would Aleph have light enough to read a note or -this plan of yours?”</p> - -<p>“It may be. Such eyes as his can do what mine -could not. I have sometimes thought that they furnished -their own light. But whoever could put a note through<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[314]</a></span> -that grate could introduce a narrow lamp or taper -also.”</p> - -<p>“If a pointed iron bar could be secretly introduced -by the custodes through the grate, would Aleph be able -to pry open the door?”</p> - -<p>“Impossible—at least without making so much noise -as to rouse the soldiers.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps they are revellers,” she said reflectively, -“and, having free access to the wine cellars, have frequent -carousals and even stupid drunkenness.”</p> - -<p>“Very likely; almost certainly,” Seti exclaimed. -“They are the boon companions of Sextus; and, like -him, will not miss an opportunity of indulgence. If we -can only gain over the custodes, we might so drug their -wine as to stupefy their drunkenness still more, so that -loud noises would not rouse them. This deserves to be -thought of; and, fortunately, I happen to have with me -for another purpose a drug which I think will answer. -But we must not depend on this plan alone. If one expedient -should fail, we must have another to fall back -upon.”</p> - -<p>“And what is that?”</p> - -<p>“We must persuade the custodes to get possession -of the key of the dungeon. This ought not to be -impossible, if the soldiers have a drunken carouse -every night, as seems to me very likely. But we cannot -be very specific in our plans till we have seen the -peddler and custodes, and know exactly what the situation -is.”</p> - -<p>Rachel said nothing more, but pored over the plan of -the palace. At length she drew from a small ivory box -by her side an ink horn and papyrus, and proceeded to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[315]</a></span> -make a fair copy of the plan—adding some jottings of -explanation as Seti had given them. She then put both -original and copy in his hands. He compared the two, -nodded, and looked at her inquiringly.</p> - -<p>“I mean, if it is possible, to get this to him with the -iron bar.”</p> - -<p>He silently returned the copy.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the pinnace had been steadily pressing on -its way. It passed through the canal, it turned up the -Nile, it went sweeping by crocodile and hippopotamus -and ibis sporting in the water or sunning by the banks, -it met corn ship, and Roman galley, and Nubian dory, -and skin-raft loaded with brick and stone, and, occasionally, -a pleasure barge freighted to overflowing with the -laughter and song of the young and gay. The peasants -on the banks for a moment stopped work at their trenching -and water wheels to gaze at the beautiful vessel, the -Nautilus of the Nile, and perchance to envy those who -reclined under its snowy wings and silken canopy. Ah, -little did they know what anxieties were aching away at -the heart of all that beauty and costliness! The breeze -toyed with the sails, the waters rippled and gleamed and -laughed away from the decorated prow, the oars rose and -sank in a water-song of their own that kept time with the -low chant of the rowers—there was music of all sorts filtering -through the dreamy air—but under that awning -of silk and purple there was only the music of prayer -and, it may be, of some hope that the Most High would -not allow the wicked to triumph. But prayer was the -chief thing. Much silent planning and resolving was -done during the latter part of the voyage, but there was -more silent praying than either.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[316]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Grandfather, what a comfort and help it is to -pray!” as she turned toward Seti and laid her hand on -his arm.</p> - -<p>“I have found it out, my child, though not as soon -as I could wish. But the knowledge will remain. -Straits crowd one toward the Unseen Helper.”</p> - -<p>And now the castle was in full view. On a promontory -that curved out boldly into the river, skirted both -above and below by a thick grove of mingled mimosas, -acacias, sycamores, and palms, each of which groves -screened a little bay and hamlet, stood a quadrangular -fortress with its defiant encompassing wall. Rachel drew -her harp toward her and began to play—at first softly and -slowly, and then with a stronger and more rapid hand. -As the pinnace approached the castle she began to accompany -the instrument with her voice: and, when fully in -front, the voice surged up over the promontory in melodious -billows and seemed to envelop it in floods of exultant -song, every word of which was rendered with wonderful -distinctness. It was a chant. It was a chant in the -original tongue of these words from the Book of Daniel. -“Now when he came to the den he cried with a lamentable -voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to -Daniel, ‘O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God -whom thou servest continually able to deliver thee from -the lions?’”</p> - -<p>Again and again the words rose and beat their delicious -music against the castle like an invading army. -Seti narrowly watched the premises as the pinnace glided -by, but saw no sign of life. But as soon as they had gone -a little farther, rounded the promontory, and then silently -veered into the sheltered nook by the hamlet, they saw<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[317]</a></span> -the peddler on the wharf with his professional pack on his -back.</p> - -<p>When the vessel was fairly moored, the man begged to -be allowed to come on board and exhibit his goods, which -he protested were the finest and cheapest to be found outside -of Alexandria. The beautiful lady would certainly -find something she would like among his various stores. -In short, his eloquence was so great that he was at length -allowed to come on board and ostentatiously spread out -his wares about Rachel and Seti.</p> - -<p>“Say that he is living,” she almost gasped, though -scarcely above a murmur.</p> - -<p>“He is, my lady.”</p> - -<p>“Say that food has been given him daily.”</p> - -<p>“At least since I came.”</p> - -<p>“Now tell us,” she said, with a firmer but still low -voice, “while you slowly display your goods, piece by -piece, what you have done—in as few words as possible.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, my lady. I landed at this hamlet, and went -up at once to the south gate of the palace grounds. Here -I found a soldier on guard; but, on making him a small -present, he allowed me to enter and seek my old acquaintances, -the custodes. Fortunately I found them by themselves -in an out-house—the old Egyptian and his much -younger Jewish wife; the latter much the leading partner, -as I had long known. I warmly saluted them as old -friends, hoped they had not forgotten Ezra, assured them -that I had never been so well prepared to give them a -good trade as now; and proceeded to unpack and display -my goods despite their protestations that they did not -want anything, could not afford to buy anything, and -such like nonsense. But I saw that their eyes followed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[318]</a></span> -me as I spread out article after article, and that they listened -well as I mentioned prices absurdly low.</p> - -<p>“‘You must have stolen these things,’ exclaimed the -Jewess. ‘Alas, that a son of Abraham should turn -thief!’</p> - -<p>“‘I hardly wonder,’ said I, ‘that you suspect my -honesty; for, as you so plainly see, these goods are worth -many times what I ask for them. How then does it -happen that I can honestly offer them so low? I will tell -you. I have a very liberal friend—no less a person than -the lady Rachel, daughter of the great banker Alexander; -and she pities me and other poor children of our people; -and it is she who makes it possible for me to let you have -the goods at so low a figure. Our father Abraham knows -that I could not do it otherwise.’</p> - -<p>“As soon as I mentioned your name, I saw at once that -I had touched the right chord. I have since found that -she came from Alexandria, where her family in time of -sickness and poverty had received much help from your -family. ‘The God of our fathers bless the pitiful and -gracious lady,’ she exclaimed. ‘Many a time has she -helped me and mine.’</p> - -<p>“‘And is she not the granddaughter of Seti—the high-priest -and head of my race?’ inquired the Egyptian husband.</p> - -<p>“‘To be sure she is,’ I exclaimed, ‘the worthy child -of both Egypt and Israel—and I will tell you a secret (I -sank my voice very low and looked cautiously about). I -can tell you of a way in which you can greatly oblige -these great friends of ours and get as many of these -goods as you would like for just nothing—absolutely -nothing.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[319]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Their eyes opened wider and began to glisten. They -drew themselves closer to me.</p> - -<p>“‘Look you,’ said I, ‘there has been in the dungeon -of this castle for the last few days a young man who is a -special friend of Seti and Alexander. He was arrested -without right, and spirited away from Alexandria in the -night, and brought here by a company of men appearing -as Roman soldiers.’</p> - -<p>“Thrown off her guard, the Jewess exclaimed, ‘How -did you come to know this?’</p> - -<p>“‘No matter,’ said I, ‘it is enough that I <em>do</em> know -it; and know further that if you would oblige Seti and -Alexander, who have such claims on you, as well as wonderfully -advantage yourselves, you have now an opportunity. -If you will help them in this matter, they can and -will do great things for you. It is the opportunity of a -life-time.’</p> - -<p>“‘But what can we do?’ exclaimed both custodes at -once.</p> - -<p>“‘I will tell you. But first tell me whether you have -seen that goodly young man with your own eyes, and -know him to have been safe and sound when he was put -into the dungeon.’</p> - -<p>“‘So he seemed by the torch-light,’ said the Jewess. -‘A goodly young man, you may well say. I never saw -one half so goodly. He stood like a king among his -slaves, with his great staff for a sceptre. The soldiers -seemed almost as much afraid of his eye as of his staff, -and plainly felt relieved when the key was turned upon -him.’</p> - -<p>“‘Has he had food and drink since then?’ I -asked.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[320]</a></span></p> - -<p>“They hesitated; and the woman looked in a troubled -way at her husband.</p> - -<p>“‘Now, by all the patriarchs,’ cried I in great excitement, -‘have they been starving this friend of Seti and -Alexander all these days, and you doing nothing to help -him?’</p> - -<p>“‘Not so,’ she hastened to exclaim. ‘We thought -we could not let the young man perish; and as soon as -we found out that no food of any kind was being given -him we managed to introduce some secretly through a -grated opening in the wall originally made for that purpose. -But it has been at the risk of our lives. We cannot -continue. If we should be discovered he would kill -us.’</p> - -<p>“‘Whom do you mean by “he”?’ I asked.</p> - -<p>“‘The leader among the soldiers.’</p> - -<p>“‘What sort of a man is he?’</p> - -<p>“‘A great, bull necked, big fisted man; with fierce and -cruel and blood shot eyes, and cheeks somewhat bruised -and swollen. I have heard him called Draco. This man -carries the key of the dungeon at his girdle day and -night. He treats us like dogs, and would kill us outright -in his terrible passion should he find us out. No, -we cannot afford to take such a risk for a single day -longer. We were worrying over the matter when you -came up.’</p> - -<p>“‘Look here, woman!’ said I fiercely, ‘if you let -this Hebrew (for he is of our faith) perish, you will have -to account for it to both man and God; but, if you will -give him ample food and drink daily and help us to free -him, the lady Rachel promises to reward you richly—beyond -what you could dream. If there is risk in the matter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[321]</a></span> -there is enough pay in it, too, to make it well worth -your while to take the risk. But I do not see that you -need to run any considerable risk. Where are these men -in the night?’</p> - -<p>“‘They always pass the best part of the night in a -drunken carouse. They have found the wine cellar.’</p> - -<p>“‘And, I dare say, by midnight they are lying about -the floor of the mess room dead drunk and stupid as -logs.’</p> - -<p>“‘It may be.’</p> - -<p>“‘And what is to hinder you from taking that time for -putting food, and whatever else his friends may wish -(this note for example), within reach of the prisoner? -The risk must be very small. Indeed I am not sure but -that you might safely steal in among the besotted and -snoring brutes, cut off the key from Draco’s belt, and -open the door of the dungeon. The lady Rachel would -enrich you for life.’</p> - -<p>“The woman threw up her hands in dismay. ‘I -<em>could</em> not do it. The very idea of such a thing almost -frightens me to death. Besides, how do I know that the -daughter of Alexander will fulfill all your fine promises. -You always did talk larger than the truth. You never -spare fine talking in the way of business.’</p> - -<p>“I confess this awfully embarrassed me. My habit in -dealing with my customers <em>has</em> been somewhat of the ornamental -and poetical sort. And now at last it had -brought me into difficulty. What should I do? I -silently promised myself that I would mend my ways. I -protested to the woman by all things sacred that I did -not misrepresent you. The miserable woman declared -she would not believe me. Nothing short of your own<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[322]</a></span> -lips should satisfy her. If you would come and with -your own mouth repeat my promises they would try to do -what they could. But she shook like one in a palsy when -she said it.</p> - -<p>“Seeing that my reputation was too much for me, sinner -that I am; and that nothing better could be done, I -said, ‘You are unreasonable; but it shall be as you say. -The lady will come and confirm all I have said. But -meanwhile (here I drew out my bag of gold pieces) this is -what she has given me to reward those who take risks in -her service; and if you will daily put into the grated -opening plenty of food and drink, together with whatever -else I may give you, and will daily come to me in the upper -hamlet where you are in the habit of going for provisions, -and will swear that you have done so by the -beards of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, I will, -each time, give you two gold pieces. And I will begin -now; for I want you to put this note into the dungeon -this very day. Swear to me that you will do it.’ And -I held up two shining pieces in the sun.</p> - -<p>“Her eyes snapped. So did mine—the gold looked so -dazzling and lovely in the golden sun. As for the husband, -he sat with amazed eyes and open mouth, but said -nothing. Neither of them had seen such gold before.</p> - -<p>“The woman stretched out her hand. I made her -swear, gave her the note you gave me, and then gave her -the two coins.</p> - -<p>“Just then a man shouted to them from the castle in a -threatening tone; and they hurried away in a fright, -while I gathered up my wares as fast as I could and went -back to the hamlet. Here I scrawled a note to you, gave -it to my son whom I had taken the precaution to take<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[323]</a></span> -with me, and put him on board of a vessel for Alexandria -just then passing. Since then the custode has been to -me daily, made oath that she has fed the prisoner, and -received her gold pieces. She reports that Draco has -gone back to the city for a day or two; but that he has -left a substitute who wears the key of the dungeon at his -belt, and leads off every night in the drunken debauch. -I expect her every moment. It is about time for her to -make her daily visit.... There she is with her provision -basket! I will go and bring her on board.”</p> - -<p>Rachel was struck with the air of the humbly dressed -and somewhat bent woman whom the peddler soon brought -up to her. She looked the picture of timidity and uncertainty—as -if drawn in opposite directions by powerful -forces, and almost torn in pieces in the struggle between -them. Her nerves were all on the wing. One could -warrant that no sound sleep had come to her for many a -night. She staggered rather than walked up to where -Rachel was sitting.</p> - -<p>Rachel saluted her warmly; with her own hands -placed a cushion for her near herself; asked her name; by -degrees drew her out to tell of her former life in Alexandria -and of her bits of contact with the family of Alexander. -How long had she lived here? Were there others -of “our faith and race” in this neighborhood? Was she -holding fast to the God of Israel? And did she hear and -understand the chant from the prophet Daniel?</p> - -<p>Seti sat silently by and listened to the gentle, soothing -tones in which, without any airs of condescension -and patronage, but simply as woman with woman and believer -with believer, the princess talked with the peasant, -till he saw the discomposure of the poor woman slowly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[324]</a></span> -give way to the winsome ways of one speaking to her as -from her own level. And yet what a contrast! The -fresh, glorious beauty and grace, fittingly arrayed, of the -one over against the faded features and crooked form and -rough garments of the other! Could it be that the two -were of the same race? No one who saw Rachel that day -could doubt that she at least thought so, and knew how -to make her lowly sister feel the same. Said Seti to -himself, “The last few days have ripened her like tropical -suns.” There are ways in which the great may put -themselves in sympathy and fellowship with the lowly -without putting on their dress, eating their food, living -in their cabins, and using their language.</p> - -<p>“And this is my grandfather, Deborah,” at length -said Rachel, looking toward Seti, “who, though he is -high priest of Egypt, honors the God of our fathers and -loves our people. He shall be witness to what I will now -say to you. Our merchant friend here has told you how -much interested we are to rescue the young man of our -faith who is now in the castle dungeon. But Ezra was -not able to tell you, as I do now, that the young man was -not imprisoned by the government, but by a band of ruffians -on their own private feud; and that we have in our -hands a warrant from the governor to deliver him from his -enemies as best we can. But there are reasons why we -wish to do it as quietly as possible. Here you can help us. -You have already helped us by keeping our friend from -starvation. Now we want you to help us still further—in -fact, to help us free him this very night. If there is -any risk to you in what we shall now propose, we will reward -you accordingly. We will do for you all that our -agent the merchant has promised. We will make it unnecessary<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[325]</a></span> -for you to be a servant any more. If you -choose you shall go with us to Alexandria, and live at -your ease for the rest of your life. You know that -we are able to do as much as we say. Now, grandfather, -will you tell Deborah what we want her to -do?”</p> - -<p>“Do you and your husband draw and carry the wine -every night to the soldiers?” inquired Seti.</p> - -<p>The woman answered in the affirmative.</p> - -<p>He went on, “Put this powder in the wine skin -from which you draw. It will not hurt the taste of the -wine, but the drunkards will sleep the sooner and sounder. -Doubtless there is somewhere on the grounds a large -pointed iron bar: is it not so?”</p> - -<p>She replied that there was one in the provision cellar.</p> - -<p>“It is well. In the course of the day contrive to introduce -the bar, with a note which I will give you fastened -to it, into the prison through the grated opening. -Will you do it?”</p> - -<p>She bent her head in assent.</p> - -<p>“One other thing—the hardest but most important of -all. As soon as the mess room is quiet after the debauch, -and the men are lying stupid with drunkenness and drug, -steal in on tiptoe and cut off the key from the girdle of -the captain, and unlock the dungeon door, if the young -man has not yet succeeded in prying it open. The drug -is so powerful that I think you can do it safely. If one -should happen to rouse, he would, very likely, think you -had come to bring more wine and relapse into his stupor. -When the young man is free, conduct him to the north -gate, which I know you have the key of; where we will -meet you with a number of men and conduct you all to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[326]</a></span> -the pinnace which by that time will be near the north -hamlet. Will you do this also?”</p> - -<p>“Oh,” the woman exclaimed with almost an air of -distraction, “I am <em>so</em> afraid. Those wicked, frightful -men—how <em>can</em> I go in among them!”</p> - -<p>Both Seti and Rachel talked long with her; plied her -with arguments and promises; and at last had the satisfaction -of seeing her more composed and firm, and of -hearing her promise that she would do as they wished.</p> - -<p>As she rose to go, Rachel grasped her hand and said, -“Now be brave for a few hours and your fortune is made. -Do all we have said—do just as we have said. Do it for -the sake of the innocent, do it for Israel’s sake, do it for -our sakes who have some claims upon you, do it for your -own sakes for whom this day may do so much.”</p> - -<p>As the woman was turning away, Seti held out to her -a vial filled with a colored liquid. “As evening comes -on pour this into a cup of water and drink it. It is a -cordial. It will strengthen and steady you for what you -have to do.... And then,” he added to Rachel, “the -note and plan to be fastened to the bar!”</p> - -<p>She at once wrote thus: “To night we expect that -the guard will be stupid with wine and drug. When -they are fully quiet after their debauch, see what you can -do toward prying open your door. If you cannot succeed, -you may still hope that the door will be unlocked shortly -from without. Make your way out of the castle by -means of the inclosed plan, if no guide appears; and -meet your friends at the north gate.—R.”</p> - -<p>She showed this to Seti, who nodded his approval. -Folding her copy of the plan into the note, she gave it to -the custode—charging her to put it through the grate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[327]</a></span> -while it was still light enough to read the note and to see -how best to attack the door. The woman departed some -gold pieces richer than she came.</p> - -<p>The peddler gathered up his wares, repacked them, -and went forward with his pack. Late in the day, at a -signal from Seti, the boatmen who had scattered themselves -along the bank, returned, unmoored the vessel, -pushed out silently into the stream, dropped silently -down past the castle, and as silently warped into another -sheltered nook very like that they had just left and about -as far from the castle.</p> - -<p>Here the servants spread refreshments for Rachel and -her grandfather: and then a larger outspread was made -at the other end of the pinnace for the others. While -these were eating, Seti and Rachel went down among them -to speak a few kindly words, to see that their wants were -well supplied, and to ask all of them, save two or three -needed to stay by the vessel, to be ready late in the evening -to escort them in a short walk they were proposing to -take. It would not be amiss if they should take bludgeons -or other arms with them: they would find a plenty -of such below. Very likely arms would not be needed; -but then the place was neither Heaven nor the Diapleuston. -Is it necessary to state that no person was employed -on Alexander’s barge unless he was a Jew of his -own synagogue?</p> - -<p>How should they spend the weary hours of waiting -before it would be time to set out for the gate? Seti did -something to answer this question.</p> - -<p>As soon as the men had finished eating, he stepped to -the front of the dais with a roll in his hand, and invited -all of them to come near while he should read from their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[328]</a></span> -Sacred Writings. He then proceeded to read from the -Septuagint the 93d and a part of the 94th Psalm. It was -very different reading from that artificial sub cantus -heard in the synagogues. It was the reading of a prophet -by a prophet, of a poet by a poet. Such a natural, -hearty, sympathetic rendering of the great thoughts—it -seemed as if the royal Psalmist, in the full glow of his -inspiration, was rehearsing his own words. The people -stood with open mouths and wondering eyes as the man -of three generations—his form erect, his eyes keen, his -hair but slightly frosted, his teeth perfect, his voice firm -and resonant, his whole bearing that of one who defies -decay—celebrated in grave and majestic tones the glory -of the One God, His justice, and the final overthrow of -the plans of the wicked. He closed by reading with special -slowness and emphasis these words, “<em>Who will rise -up for me against the evil doers—who will stand up for -me against the workers of iniquity?</em>”</p> - -<p>Rolling up the parchment, he looked searchingly -about on the upturned faces.</p> - -<p>“Friends,” said he, “we are not far from a den of -evil-doers. In yonder castle, a small band of ruffians, -without warrant from the authorities, have shut up in a -dungeon the young man who stood up so nobly for our -faith in the Diapleuston a few days ago. We are here -with a warrant from the governor to rescue him. We -expect this will be done about midnight without any -help from you. But we have promised to meet the rescuing -party at the north gate of the castle grounds with -our men and conduct them to the pinnace. We hope -that this will be all we need to do. But if we should be -disappointed, I want you to be ready with stout hearts<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[329]</a></span> -and arms to succeed where others have failed. The soldiers -are few, at midnight they will be drunk, the castle -will be open, and I who know every nook in it will be -your guide. Now, who of you will rise up for us against -the evil doers?”</p> - -<p>“We will all go,” said one.</p> - -<p>“Yes, <em>all</em>,” said another and another.</p> - -<p>“There is none of us willing to be left behind,” exclaimed -the peddler as he looked around.</p> - -<p>“And yet,” said Seti, “we must leave some with the -vessel. Ten of your stoutest will be enough to go with -us; and you may select these for yourselves.... -Now let us kneel and pray to the God of Israel, who can -do great things for us whereof we shall be glad,” and, to -the astonishment of all, he kneeled, and spread forth his -hands heavenward, and invoked the blessing of the Most -High on their undertaking with the manner of one who -saw God and stood in his very presence. Few words, but -full of meaning and realization and devotion. And that -westering sun looked through the screen of palms on as -true and acceptable a prayer meeting as he sees to-day.</p> - -<p>In the brief twilight that follows an Egyptian sun -setting, they saw a man running down to them from the -high road that skirted the bank. It proved to be the old -Egyptian custode. He was spent with running, and, -when brought up to Seti and Rachel, could hardly speak. -But at last he managed to let them know that he was -much afraid, from his wife’s growing agitation, that her -courage would fail at the critical moment. All appearances -promised an agony of fright and incapacity when -presence of mind would be most needed. He begged that -the lady, who only seemed to have power to soothe and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[330]</a></span> -hearten her, would not fail to come with the others. It -might save everything.</p> - -<p>“I <em>will</em> come,” said Rachel; and, looking at Seti, she -added, “I had rather in any case go with you than remain -here in suspense.”</p> - -<p>He made no reply to her, but said to the Egyptian as -he dismissed him with a present: “Do not forget to -have the north gate opened early—also the iron door leading -to the cellars. Have a lighted lantern ready as soon -as the soldiers are quiet.”</p> - -<p>The stars came out one by one. Sirius flashed out -first; then Aldebaran; then the body and belt and sword -of Orion, together with Pleiades and Hyades and the -Chambers of the South—with their pageant universe. -No moon would appear till after midnight; but such was -the stellar effulgence that nothing more seemed needed -for such an enterprise.</p> - -<p>The <em>flight</em> of Time! Yes, he is sometimes pictured -with wings as far stretching and mighty as an archangel’s; -and sometimes he seems to us to be plying them -with all his might. But not in such circumstances as our -friends were in. To eager, restless, suspenseful hearts, -hoping the best but fearing the worst, eager to work but -for the present able to do nothing, Time has no wings -at all, not even feet, but creeps along as if weighted with -untold chains. So crept he that night to Seti and Rachel.</p> - -<p>But even the snail is at last found to have moved—the -most lingering hour that ever crept toward a man, -second by second, at last arrives—and so, at last, midnight -ached along and found Seti and his company at the north -gate. It was unfastened. So far, well.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[331]</a></span></p> - -<p>They listened. They thought they could hear dull -strokes at carefully measured intervals. “Get nearer—as -near as you can,” said Seti to the peddler, “and see if -the sound does not come from the dungeon.”</p> - -<p>In a few moments the man returned to say that the -prisoner was evidently at work on his door; but that the -custodes, both man and wife, were sitting in an apparently -helpless state on the steps before the iron door leading -to the vaults. He could scarcely get an intelligible -word from either of them.</p> - -<p>“Let us go to them,” whispered Rachel to Seti; “let -us go to them alone. The men would only alarm and -confound them more.”</p> - -<p>For answer he drew her arm still further within his; -and went cautiously forward through the shadows straight -toward the door of the vaults. Sure enough, there were -the custodes on the last step, cowering, trembling, moaning -faintly, almost stupid with terror. Rachel knelt by -the woman, took hold of her hand with one hand and -stroked her with the other, bade her be of good courage, -if only for a little.</p> - -<p>“You see,” said she, “that I have come to help you. -Seti also is here; and many other helpers are behind. -Have you taken the cordial? Ah, I see that you have -forgotten it. Never mind, take it now. There, now I -hope you will soon feel better. What do you say? You -have no strength? You cannot go alone? Look, Deborah, -let us go together as far as the prison door and see -what progress has been made. Perhaps it will not be -necessary to go for the key. Come, lean on me.”</p> - -<p>So the woman was persuaded to her feet. The potion -that Rachel had given her seemed beginning to take effect.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[332]</a></span> -Seti pushed open the iron door, found a lighted -lantern just within, cautiously descended the steps with -it, closely followed by the two women. Now the blows -were falling strong and fast; as if the prisoner knew that -no time was to be lost. They came to the grated opening -into the cell. Seti set the lantern by it. At once -the strokes ceased.</p> - -<p>“Is it Aleph the Chaldean?” inquired the priest in a -voice scarcely above a whisper.</p> - -<p>“Thank Heaven! it is the voice of Seti, my friend -and father,” answered a voice within.</p> - -<p>“Will the door give way?” asked Seti.</p> - -<p>“I fear not,” replied Aleph. “I cannot see where -to apply the bar, and so much of my labor is thrown -away. If a light could be introduced through the grating, -I could soon tell whether freedom is possible in this -way.”</p> - -<p>“Can you get a narrow sconce that will pass through -the grate?” asked Seti of the custode.</p> - -<p>The woman, without speaking, pointed in a vague way -toward the room above.</p> - -<p>“Do nothing till we return,” said the priest to -Aleph. “We will find you a light, or something better.”</p> - -<p>Then he whispered to Rachel, “There is but one -thing to be done. Seat the woman on this bench and -come. We must do without her. She might shriek or -fall among the men at any moment. Safer without her.”</p> - -<p>The woman sank on the bench like a rag. Seti took -down the lantern, drew Rachel’s arm again within his -own, and softly made his way up a flight of steps to the -door of the mess room. He listened a moment. Nothing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[333]</a></span> -was audible but the dull hard breathing of the men -within.</p> - -<p>He gently pressed the door open. The room was full -of lights of all sorts—as if the ruffians had been afraid of -darkness and meant to have as little of it as possible. -And all around—on benches, on the floor, under the -great table, hanging limp over the backs of chairs—were -the men in a state of swinish intoxication. Broken and -upset cups lay about everywhere. Pools of wine and -vomit were on the table and on the floor. The foul air -was almost intolerable.</p> - -<p>Seti took up a sword that lay on the floor, and held -out the lantern to Rachel.</p> - -<p>“No, grandfather,” she whispered, “this work is for -me. I can tread among them more lightly than you -can; and now I can see the key at the belt of yonder -man,” and she pointed to a man who sat at the head of -the table, his arms spread out upon it, and his head resting -on his arms.</p> - -<p>He expostulated, “Perhaps the woman neglected to -drug the wine as she neglected her own cordial.”</p> - -<p>Without replying, the maiden gathered her robes -tightly about her, and stepped in among the dangerous -brutes. Her feet fell as fall the snow-flakes. Around -one man, over the arm or leg of another, narrowly missing -the nodding head of a third—on she went through -those swine possessed with devils like some celestial vision, -with eye and foot steady and sure, till she reached -the farther end of the room and the side of the symposiarch. -She saw the key. Oh for a knife to sever it from -the belt! She could see nowhere any sharp cutting tool. -The man was snoring heavily; the snores got into a tangle,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[334]</a></span> -trembled, stopped. He groaned and moved. She -stood breathlessly over him with steady, flaming eyes till -his breathing became regular again; then, seizing a small -sconce from the table, she held it under the string that -fastened the key to the belt. In a moment the two -parted company. With lamp in one hand, and the key -with her draperies in the other, she made her way back -to the door and Seti as carefully as she went.</p> - -<p>They passed out. Seti noiselessly closed the door, -drew up between it and an angle in the wall a stout -bench, and descended to the dungeon. Rachel put her -hand with the narrow lamp in it through the grate, and -whispered in an unsteady voice, “We have the key. -Take the light, and, if you have displaced the door somewhat, -replace it. Else the key may not work.”</p> - -<p>He took it, made a few movements with his bar, then -said, “Now try the key.” Seti inserted it and tried to -turn—alas, the bolt would not move.</p> - -<p>“Hand the key to me,” said Aleph; “perhaps I can -do better from the inside.”</p> - -<p>It was passed through the grate. The outside hearts -stood still as the key was heard groping for its hole, then -stoutly pushed home, then beginning to turn in the -wards. Would it stop? Has it stopped? Ah, what a -moment that was! Human nature could not endure -many such strains. But hark! There is a sudden -mighty heave and push and wrench; and, oh joy! youth -and strength and Heaven have surely conquered. Back -flies the bolt with a loud noise that is musical as Paradise; -and lo, Aleph stands before them. Seti threw his arms -about him, and exclaimed, “My son—thank Heaven!”</p> - -<p>“I also thank Heaven and my foster-father,” returned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[335]</a></span> -Aleph warmly, as he returned the embrace; and -then, turning toward Rachel with eyes that even in the -dim light throbbed into hers thankfulness, and much besides -that made her face burn and her heart sing, he -added, “And there is another who will not be forgotten, -even the angel whom God has sent to shut the lions’ -mouths so that they have not hurt me. I knew your -voice, and even your hand, as well as your chant, as you -came.”</p> - -<p>“We must hasten,” interrupted the priest. “We -are not yet quite out of the lions’ den.”</p> - -<p>Aleph at once went into the dungeon and brought out -his staff and the lamp.</p> - -<p>“And Deborah? It will not do to leave the poor -woman here; and, shattered as she is, she cannot help -herself away. She failed us at the last moment, but she -did what she could,” whispered Rachel to Aleph as she -pointed to the custode on the bench.</p> - -<p>He bent to look at the woman. “No, she cannot -walk, and must not be left. I will carry her.”</p> - -<p>And he took her up as gently and as easily as one -might a babe; and so, following Seti, they went up the -steps to the iron door and then out under the blessed stars -that seemed to rejoice and exult with them. Seti did -not forget to make assurance of safety doubly sure by -putting another bolted door between them and pursuit. -They found the Egyptian sitting where they had left -him. He plainly was able to help himself: so, bidding -him follow, they moved on to the gate, where they found -the boatmen and peddler much alarmed at their long absence -and about going to seek them. This gate also they -immediately bolted after them—thus putting a third embarrassment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[336]</a></span> -in the way of pursuit. The pinnace-men -could scarce restrain their joy and shouts when they saw -Aleph among them with the woman in his arms. They -did <em>not</em> restrain themselves as soon as the bolt of the gate -went clanging home, but sent up a shout full of heartiness -and victory. The newly risen moon seemed to shout -back again.</p> - -<p>They reached the vessel without further adventure.</p> - -<p>“Unmoor, men,” cried Seti, “and push out into the -river!”</p> - -<p>When this had been done, and the pinnace was moving -gently with the current, his voice rose again. “Before -we spread our sails and take oars for Alexandria, let -us acknowledge Him who has answered our prayers.” -And so under the bright moonlight, floating gently down -the restful ancient river, with no sound on the air but -his own majestic voice, the high priest, as if primate of -all religions, gave thanks, in few and fitting words and -with uplifted hands, for the success of their enterprise to -Him “who executeth judgment for the oppressed, who -giveth food to the hungry, and who looseth the prisoners.”</p> - -<p>Now up, men, with the sails! Now, ye oarsmen with -light hearts and strong arms, ply joyfully the oars homeward! -Aleph, sitting at the feet of Seti and Rachel, is -duly questioned and tells modestly his story; and he in -return soon comes to know all that we know about the -measures taken for his rescue—also about the situation -of Cimon, in regard to whom his concern seemed to have -been greater than for himself. For the most part Seti -told the story. And he told it well. Rachel certainly -had no reason to complain that justice was not done to -the part she had taken in the matter. And she saw more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[337]</a></span> -eloquent speaking in the two luminaries that occasionally -beamed up into hers than she had ever seen in moon and -stars—or even the sun.</p> - -<p>But toiling men must have rest and sleep. So, after -the lapse of an hour or so, during which good progress -had been made, the boatmen moored again under the -screen of another leafy grove that overhung the river and -laid themselves down wherever they best could. Seti and -Rachel retired below. As for Aleph, he had had enough -of inactivity. The sense and delight of freedom once -more were strong within him. He leaped ashore; and -walked about in the grove, and sometimes on the highway -from Alexandria which in general followed the banks of -the river, and which the Romans, according to their -wont, kept in the best condition. While on this thoroughfare -he heard the sound of wheels and the tramp of -furiously driven horses coming from the north. He -stepped into the grove. The noise rapidly grew, and -soon became mixed with the voices of men in angry dispute. -As the voices came still nearer—could it be?—Aleph -thought he recognized the voice of Draco. Then -appeared a chariot drawn by two foaming horses, with -four men seated in it. When nearly abreast of him the -horses suddenly stopped.</p> - -<p>“We will go no farther,” exclaimed the voice of -Draco, “till this matter is settled. We mean that he -shall die; and we also mean to be paid well for what we -have done for you. We must have enough to pay us for -the loss of our situations, and to keep us in Rome, or -wherever we choose to go, for the rest of our lives. We -want the talents down—all of them. We are not a-going -to trust you for a yearly stipend, which may and may not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[338]</a></span> -be paid; we must have everything in our own power. -You did not promise so much? But you promised to pay -us liberally; and the pay must be what <em>we</em> call liberal. -Cannot get so many talents? You can at least steal them -from your father, or from the treasury of the province—we -do not care which. We do not care how you come by -the money if so be that we get it.”</p> - -<p>In the course of the violent altercation that followed -Aleph recognized three other voices—that of the equestrian -trainer, that of Antis, and that of Sextus Flaccus -who seemed in a half drunken state. He also gathered -that Sextus had been berating the trainers for their defeat -by Aleph until the passionate men had been provoked -beyond measure, lost all self-control, and were -ready to do almost anything to gratify their resentment. -Sextus was too much in wine to see his danger; kept on -abusing them roundly; and even went so far as to threaten -that he would pay them little or nothing for their services. -This had brought matters to a crisis.</p> - -<p>“Now,” said Draco at last, with an oath as horrible as -a pagan or an atheist could swear, “let us have done with -this. Tell us, Sextus Flaccus, what you will do—yes or -no. Will you promise by the soul of your mother, the -only oath you are likely to keep, that within five days, -by hook or by crook, you will pay over to us the money -we demand? If not, you drunken fool, we will strangle -you on the spot and throw your body into the river. It -will be said that you fell into the river in a drunken fit. -And everybody will believe the story—even your own -father. Swear, I say, or <em>die</em>, <em class="smcap">die</em>. We can help ourselves -at the castle to more than you are likely to give -us, if it be true, as we hear, that your father hides his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[339]</a></span> -treasures there; and then we will take to the desert and -have everybody for a prey. Come!”</p> - -<p>Nothing came from Sextus but a new volley of provoking -epithets and threats.</p> - -<p>The two trainers grasped him. A struggle followed. -“Drive on a little farther to a better spot,” cried Draco -to Antis.</p> - -<p>The horses sprang forward under the lash and soon -disappeared. But Aleph could hear the noise of scuffle, -muffled calls for help, half suffocated cries of terror. He -ran after the chariot as fast as possible: at length descried -it standing by the roadside empty. At the same time he -heard a loud splash and saw three men run up from the -river bank, leap into the chariot, and drive off at a furious -pace. It was vain to pursue—perhaps he might rescue -the victim. So he rushed to the bank which the men had -just left; and leaned over the water, holding by a friendly -sapling that bent over the stream. At first he could see -nothing, coming as he did from the bright moonlight; -but in a moment he saw a hand just sinking beneath the -water—saw also a crocodile close by in the act of turning -over to seize his prey. Quick as thought he struck at the -monster with his staff, and then, plunging his arm deep -in the water, caught the fingers of Sextus just as they -were passing out of reach, and drew the body to the bank. -It was apparently lifeless. The proper way of treating -such a body is no discovery of modern times. Aleph was -not ignorant of it, promptly used it, and found signs that -life was not extinct, though flickering in its socket. He -took up the body and hastened to return to the pinnace. -He found it all alive with anxiety at his disappearance—especially -after the sounds of strife and rushing wheels<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[340]</a></span> -had faintly come to them. Seti and Rachel met him, as -he stepped on board with his burden, with a joyful welcome -and inquiring looks.</p> - -<p>“Sextus Flaccus, nearly or quite murdered by his -comrades—first throttled, and then drowned!”</p> - -<p>A few swift words of further explanation, and Aleph -hastened to the dais with his burden, and for a long time -bent every energy to restore the vital warmth—by posture, -by friction, by wrapping in rugs, by aiding the ribs -in the scarcely perceptible breathing movement, by fanning—Seti -assisting with advice and hands. It was a -hard fight with death; but at last came signs that their -labor would not be in vain. Sextus breathed regularly -though feebly. His throat, which they had laid bare, -and which was all bruised and discolored by the strangling -hands of the ruffians, showed the efforts of the vital fluid -to resume a forceful circulation. At last he moaned and -opened his eyes. Opened them on Aleph as he knelt before -him, fanning him, gently adjusting his position and -wraps as usefully as possible. Opened them at first in a -vague, bewildered stare into which soon came a grain of -intelligence, then of astonishment, then of alarm. He -tried to raise himself. Aleph gently helped him. Then -followed a fixed gaze of absorbed inquiry in which -thought seemed wrestling with thought, each demanding -of each, <i>What means all this? Is it possible?</i> He then -quietly closed his eyes and seemed trying to recollect -himself. Seti and Rachel kept well behind, and watched -with breathless interest. Again Sextus opened his eyes—this -time with full intelligence in them. He tried to -speak. No sound came. He tried again. Aleph put -his ear near the struggling lips.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[341]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Are you Aleph the Chaldean?” came in the faintest -of whispers.</p> - -<p>Aleph nodded.</p> - -<p>“Aleph the prisoner?”</p> - -<p>Aleph nodded again.</p> - -<p>“Did you save me from the men, and the Nile, and—the -crocodile?” Sextus asked in a stronger voice.</p> - -<p>“What, did you notice the crocodile?” said Aleph. -“I thought you were beyond noticing anything.”</p> - -<p>“I saw him preparing to seize me—saw something -worse than a crocodile; for all my follies and sins of many -years, including my treatment of you, came up before me -in one dreadful flash. Ah, it was a dreadful sight—worse -than any monster on sea or land!”</p> - -<p>“You see that it is possible to escape from monsters -that are very near,” said Aleph soothingly. “But I -would not talk any more just now. You are too weak. -Let me adjust the rugs and wraps more comfortably for -you, and lie down again. You are among friends.”</p> - -<p>Sextus bent another long wondering gaze at the noble -face that was bending over him, and then resigned himself -with closed eyes to the gentle hands that laid him -carefully down to a smoother and softer resting place. -In a few moments he was asleep.</p> - -<p>“Well,” said Seti, with a grave smile, “you <em>are</em> a very -strange young man. Is this the way you treat enemies -in your country? If so it is very unlike any other country -that I happen to know. Still, I confess that the -way, unprecedented as it is, has a good look to it, and -may be worth introducing into Egypt.”</p> - -<p>“Say not <em>unprecedented</em>, my dear grandfather,” said -Rachel, “for you know Deity treats men better than<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[342]</a></span> -they deserve; and the Christ, it seems, does the same. -How forbearing he is toward his enemies, when he could -so easily overwhelm them!”</p> - -<p>Aleph was looking dreamily at the banks now fast -gliding by (for the pinnace was in full motion again and -the dawn was kindling all things into color and beauty), -but at the word <i>Christ</i> he turned inquiringly toward Rachel. -She understood him.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” she said, “we have something new to tell you -about the Christ—something new and wonderful that -comes from a witness that I can trust—my own mother”—and -she proceeded to relate to him the history of the -resurrection of Lazarus and the consequent exasperation -and plottings of his enemies.</p> - -<p>“Having had little else to do, I have been thinking -much of Him during the last few days,” returned Aleph, -“especially of what the prophets, Isaiah and Daniel, say -of his suffering character. ‘He was wounded for our -transgression, he was bruised for our iniquities, and the -Lord has laid on him the iniquities of us all: he was -taken from prison and from judgment, and who shall declare -his generation, for he was cut off out of the land of -the living.’ And Daniel says, ‘And after three score -and two weeks shall the Messiah be cut off, but not for -himself.’ So I am expecting the worst and the best—the -greatest sacrifice and the greatest salvation the world -has ever seen. Jesus is surely a king; but at present his -kingdom is not of this world. He will pass to his throne -through the gates of death. Then of his kingdom there -will be no end.”</p> - -<p>He said this as a seer might say it, and with a new -light in his face.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[343]</a></span></p> - -<p>Sextus slumbered on, hour after hour, as the vessel -glided down the silent river and the sun glided up the -silent sky. Their morning meal was spread for them and -still he slept. But when they raised their heads, after the -priest had thanked Him who giveth to all their food, they -saw that his eyes were wide open and fastened on them. -Aleph at once went to him, helped him to a sitting posture, -propped him with cushions and rugs, and then -brought him fruits and other food. He was now able to -eat, though but very slowly. Aleph did not leave him -till his slow repast was quite finished, and he was again -settled into a restful position. During all this he said -not a word.</p> - -<p>It was not long after the meal and the general religious -service that immediately followed that they saw in -the distance and coming toward them a large galley evidently -crowded with people. As it approached they recognized -the young men of the University; and the young -men at the same time recognized the commanding form -of Aleph, who had risen for a better view of the craft in -which Seti seemed so interested. What a shout from -young throats suddenly broke into the sky! What a -climbing into all high places and lookouts! What a -frantic flourish of hands and caps—yea, of spears and -swords and bucklers; for it was now plain that something -besides a cordial reception of a returning friend was in -the thought of the young men when they left Alexandria. -They were prepared to fight as well as to celebrate.</p> - -<p>“Hail Aleph the Chaldean!” Three times they had -given this uproarious greeting with full lungs and wild -gesticulations; and there is no telling when they would -have stopped had not Aleph stepped on the bulwark toward<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[344]</a></span> -the galley and beckoned to them. They instantly -became silent.</p> - -<p>“You see, my friends, that the venerable Seti has -found me, and found me safe and sound—thanks to -Heaven and him. No matter where, no matter how: he -desires that no questions he asked about these things. -My arrest and abduction were not by the authorities: they -were a private enterprise altogether for which we may -hold Draco responsible, if we can lay hands on him. -Apart from him all is buried. Many thanks to you for -the generous interest you have taken in the stranger, for -the efforts and pains you have been at on my account, and -of which I have been duly informed. I did not know -when I joined the University what a company of generous -and warm hearted associates I would have. If my -arm were long enough I would grasp the hand of every -one of you. Suppose it done till we meet again. Once -more; in return for your warm greetings, I am sure that -I can give not only my own but those of the dear friends -in whose hands you see me, and without whom I should -not be here to-day.”</p> - -<p>Pausing a moment, he added, “I have a favor to ask. -We have with us a sick friend for whom quiet and rest -are needed. For this and other reasons we propose that -you precede or follow us at a considerable interval; and -that we enter the city apart in as quiet and undemonstrative -a way as possible. We can demonstrate at our leisure -hereafter. I certainly shall want to demonstrate my -gratitude.”</p> - -<p>One great cheer for the speaker; and another for -“the empress of Alexandria” as they now discovered -Rachel beneath the curtain which she had hastily let fall<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[345]</a></span> -between herself and the approaching galley; and then -the galley silently dropped behind—far behind. But our -friends could hear faintly from it the music of song and -instrument, and faintly see the flutter of banners and -streamers of all sorts all the way along the river and -canal. But when they entered the lake they quite lost -sight and hearing of the galley. So the pinnace came -quietly to its old moorings.</p> - -<p>Up to this time Sextus had sat silent and almost motionless -where he had been placed. He now threw off -his wraps and attempted to rise. With the help of Aleph, -who hastened to him, he succeeded; but he was not able -to stand alone.</p> - -<p>“I see a close palanquin on the shore,” said Aleph. -“I will beckon for it, and if you somewhat muffle the -lower part of your face, you will not be recognized. I -will order the bearers to take you to Bruchium.”</p> - -<p>Sextus looked gratefully at him, and said in a low but -decisive voice, “I shall not forget this, as you soon will -have occasion to know.”</p> - -<p>So they parted with mutual pressure of the hand.</p> - -<p>Then Aleph parted from Seti and Rachel—saying to -the latter as she reminded him of his promise to see Miriam, -“Shall I also see the empress of Rome?” His voice -was somewhat unsteady.</p> - -<p>She hesitated for a moment, and then said, impulsively, -“You will never see her, if earth and Heaven can -prevent it;” and her face shone with a determination -that was almost fierce.</p> - -<p>“If I only wore a diadem, I know at whose feet it -would be laid”—he said it simply, as to himself.</p> - -<p>“Aleph the Chaldean already wears a diadem which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[346]</a></span> -the daughter of Alexander values more than any that will -ever shine on the banks of the Tiber,” was the reply.</p> - -<p>What is the use of being a princess and, by invitation, -an empress, if she cannot speak her mind frankly? But -what <em>is</em> her mind? Seti might have used the same words. -From his lips they would have meant high approval and -even admiration. Was this all that she meant? Did she -only pay such fitting intellectual tribute to Aleph as one -pays to an admirable statue, to the glorious stars, or to -each of a hundred shining historic persons? We admire -them and praise them—but we can live without them. -We can leave the admirable statue in its palace or temple -and very contentedly go about our business, never to see -it again. We can praise Plato to the skies, and yet be -quite willing to have him and his Republic remain some -twenty odd centuries away from us. Who has a right to -say that such was not the mind of Rachel?—appreciative, -outspoken, Setian, and—nothing more?</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[347]</a></span></p> - -<h2>XV.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE CONFERENCES.</span></h2> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p>Αυοῖν παρόντων ήμισυς λόγος πάρα.</p> - -<p class="right">—<span class="smcap">Æschylus</span>, <cite>Eum.</cite> 428.</p> - -<p><i>He hears but half who hears one side only.</i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[348]</a></span></p> - -<ul> -<li>1. Legal preparations.</li> -<li>2. A mixed cup.</li> -<li>3. A critical conversation.</li> -<li>4. For better or worse?</li> -</ul> - -</div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[349]</a></span></p> - -<h3>XV.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE CONFERENCES.</span></h3> - -<p>There were several reasons why the first wonder and -rush of surmises as to the reappearance of Aleph -did not last long. They were let alone severely. And -then the rumors of an approaching visit from the Cæsar -grew stronger every day; and all eyes and tongues were -strongly drawn toward the daughter of Alexander and -her probable views and feelings as to the great alliance. -In addition, the air was now full of the great trials that -were to come off in a few days—Malus against the two -brothers, Malus against Cimon, and Cimon against Malus. -That Malus should venture to attack anybody was not a -matter for surprise; but that anybody should venture to -attack Malus was indeed wonderful. So the city had -plenty to talk about without querying long as to the -where and how of Aleph’s escape, with nobody to answer -questions.</p> - -<p>The public interest grew exceedingly when it became -plain, as it soon did, that the contest would not be between -two individuals, but between two great parties. -On the one side were Malus and the Flacci with their -host of dependents: on the other was Cimon, supported -by all the influence and forces of Seti and Alexander, as -well as by the good-will and prestige and family influence<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[350]</a></span> -of both branches of the University, with which Aleph -was now unboundedly popular. Though he firmly declined -to give any information as to who the chief criminal -in his abduction was, and what the place of his confinement, -and how he was rescued, the students were not -offended—following the lead of Cornelius and a few -others who had specially attached themselves to him, and -to whom he had said that his silence was to save embarrassment -to Cimon and other friends in their affairs. -They looked in his face and believed him. They heard -the ring of his voice and were content both with him and -his friend—with Cimon, <em>because</em> he was his friend. As -Malus soon had occasion to know. Not a student entered -his warehouse. If one saw him coming he ostentatiously -crossed to the other side of the street. And the vexed -trader was compelled to listen to some serenades that -were neither very musical nor very complimentary. Of -all such demonstrations in his favor, Aleph was ignorant; -though he was well aware on what side the sympathies of -his fellow-students were enlisted.</p> - -<p>I have said that the public assumed that the Flaccan -influence would be cast in favor of Malus. But one day -an event occurred which unsettled at least the University -part of the public on this point. At the close of one of -Seti’s lectures and before the students had left, a herald -appeared at the door and announced his Excellency the -Governor. Seti stepped forward after a very cool and -stately fashion to receive the dignitary; and inquired -what he could do to pleasure his Excellency. His Excellency -stated that he was fond of young men, and liked -to look in upon them now and then, in their curriculum; -but that his special object to-day was to congratulate both<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[351]</a></span> -him and his young friend, who he believed was called -<i>Aleph the Chaldean</i>, on the success of the measures for -the rescue of the latter.</p> - -<p>“I <em>do</em> congratulate you most heartily, venerable Sir—as -I know that you are much interested in the young -man. Is he present?” And Flaccus looked about on -the students as if to discover him.</p> - -<p>“Will Aleph the Chaldean come forward?” said -Seti: “His Excellency wishes to congratulate him in -person on his safety.”</p> - -<p>The young men were too much interested in what was -passing to stand on ceremony. The better to see everything, -they stepped on the seats and pommelled down obnoxious -shoulders and heads. And they saw Aleph advance, -not only without embarrassment, but with a grace -and even majesty that would have become a king. And -yet the kingly way was so unaffected and so modest in its -expression, as not to be offensive.</p> - -<p>“May it please your Excellency,” said Seti with emphasis, -“this is the young man for whom you have asked -and whom you authorized us to rescue at all costs.”</p> - -<p>“I am glad I did it. It was one of the best acts of -my life,” exclaimed Flaccus, as he looked up with undisguised -astonishment at the figure and face before him.</p> - -<p>Then with some hesitation he continued, “You do -not seem, young man, to have suffered much from your -confinement. It could hardly have been very severe -without leaving some marks upon you. I see none whatever. -I would not object to being confined myself if I -could reappear in as good a condition as yours.”</p> - -<p>“Still, such a confinement as mine is not one which -I can conscientiously recommend to your Excellency,”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[352]</a></span> -returned Aleph. “It had some features about it rather -trying to the average constitution. I think that the fact -that I am here to-day in a sound condition is due to my -having a constitution considerably tougher than the average.”</p> - -<p>“No doubt it is so,” said the Roman. “I am glad -that you have come off so well. I have come here to say -so; to express my pleasure at your safe return; to congratulate -you upon it; and also to congratulate you on -having secured in so brief a time such warm and most -desirable friends as I see about you. I trust you will -count me among them.”</p> - -<p>“Aleph the Chaldean accepts with pleasure the kind -words which your Excellency does him the honor of offering; -and himself feels that he has been highly favored in -finding in a strange land so many friends whom he will -never be willing or able to forget.”</p> - -<p>“I have another object in coming here to-day,” continued -Flaccus. “My son, who is sick, begs that you will -visit him at the Cæsareum. Your nation, I believe, is -well versed in leech craft; and perhaps you can help -him. If you will take a seat with me in my chariot it -will gratify both him and me.”</p> - -<p>“I will go to your son almost immediately,” said -Aleph. “But your Excellency will excuse me for declining -the honor of your chariot. A less distinguished -way of going will better suit my youth and circumstances.”</p> - -<p>To say that the students were astonished hardly does -the facts justice. Three things amazed them—that the -Governor should take a step so likely to be understood -by the public as against Malus; that Sextus Flaccus, sick<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[353]</a></span> -or well, should send for Aleph; and that Aleph should -carry himself in so unembarrassed and independent and -yet courtly manner in the presence of the chief Roman -dignitary. It was another revelation to them. Some of -them said, “Plainly, this is not the first time Aleph has -dealt with people in high places—he is too much at home -with them to be dealing with novelties.”</p> - -<p>Both that day, and daily for many days afterward, -Aleph found his way to the Cæsareum, and to the slowly -recovering Sextus. What was said or done in these interviews -never transpired—at least among the students. -I am not prepared to say but that Seti and Rachel came -to know of pleasant and hopeful things.</p> - -<p>Well, it <em>is</em> time to speak again of the lovely Jewess. -Of course Aleph, the very next day after his return, fulfilled -his promise to see Miriam—and all the more readily -because Seti had domiciled himself at Alexander’s until -the return of his son in law. He found not only Miriam -but also Seti and Rachel in the family apartment. Great -was his surprise at the gain the nurse had made since he -last saw her; and so he was able to give congratulations -as well as receive them. Miriam’s congratulations, however, -were rather lame in the expression; for when she -saw him enter without any sign, even the slightest, of -harm from all that he had passed through, her eyes filled -with tears and she scarcely found voice to say more than, -<i>Thank God</i>.</p> - -<p>“You see,” said Rachel, “that Miriam has wonderfully -improved within the last few days; but I doubt -whether you can guess to what the improvement is -owing.”</p> - -<p>“The skill of the leech?” suggested Aleph, smiling.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[354]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Nay—as if you did not know her leech!” and she -lifted her eyebrows.</p> - -<p>“The excellent nursing?”</p> - -<p>“By no means—I can speak for that.”</p> - -<p>“The <em>want</em> of nursing? The nurse has been busy -elsewhere; and so nature has had a chance to act freely. -Excessive care is sometimes as hurtful as no care at all.”</p> - -<p>“Still at fault,” cried the maiden. “Shrewd as you -are, you will not be likely to guess: so I must tell you. -She took a new medicine; and it was <i>Aleph the Chaldean</i>. -Devising ways and means to get you out of your -difficulties, O much enduring Ulysses, O pious Æneas -beaten about in all seas—this is what has made the -change that you see. It is a very healthful business this -rescuing Aleph the Chaldean.”</p> - -<p>Then followed a pleasant explanation of the part -which Miriam had taken in the rescue, and such a grateful -recognition of it as it deserved.</p> - -<p>On the humorous plea that Miriam was indebted to -him for her health, and must make payment for the -same in valuable information, Aleph proceeded to ask her -many questions suggested by her former narrative of what -she had heard and seen of Jesus. Rachel joined him in -this. As a result they found not a few difficulties removed -or diminished by a better knowledge of circumstances.</p> - -<p>During this questioning and cross questioning Seti -sat a silent but alert listener. Only at the close, when -the young people fairly woke up to the fact that for a -long time he had said nothing, and turned deprecatingly -toward him, did he say, “You two would make very respectable -advocates. I hope Marcus Piso will examine<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[355]</a></span> -witnesses as well in the approaching trials. I am glad to -see that your faith in Jesus does not forget the claims of -reason.”</p> - -<p>Here a parcel was brought in and given to Rachel. -“From my mother,” she exclaimed, as she glanced at -the superscription. “This doubtless contains further -news of the Christ that will interest us all. Let us -see.”</p> - -<p>She broke the seals. In a moment she became so absorbed -in her reading that, evidently, she was quite oblivious -of her surroundings. Her face became a mirror -behind which appeared the whole changing heaven of her -moods and feelings. The first glance at the letter -brought a shadow on the beaming countenance. As she -went on the shadows deepened apace—as when clouds -add themselves to clouds in advance of the storm. At -last the storm itself came. Her face became a picture of -mingled astonishment, compassion, indignation, and dismay. -She dropped the letter on the floor, exclaiming, -“<i>Can it be! Where is the Almighty Avenger!</i>” And the -tears streamed between her fingers as she buried her face -in her hands.</p> - -<p>Seti and Aleph had both watched her changing expressions -with alarm—had both risen and were now -standing by her side.</p> - -<p>“What dreadful thing has happened, my child?” -asked Seti.</p> - -<p>“They have murdered Him—<em>murdered</em> Him—have -murdered the <span class="smcap">Christ</span>!” she exclaimed: then turning to -Aleph, “And you were right. You feared the worst, and -the worst has come. Can there be a bright side to such -a picture?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[356]</a></span></p> - -<p>She tried to brush away the tears that she might better -see the expression of his face.</p> - -<p>He said gently, “I think I can conceive of a brighter -side even to such a terrible picture. But I see that you -have not finished your reading. Perhaps the remainder -of the letter will contain the brighter side.” He took it -up from the floor and handed it to her.</p> - -<p>Thus encouraged, she resumed her reading. Almost -immediately a change appeared on her face. Her eyes -opened widely with a new wonder, and beamed with a -new light. As she went on the shadows thinned away as -fast as they had thickened; the light and sweetness grew -apace as does the fairest morning; and at last the sun -rose on every lovely feature as she finished the manuscript -and exclaimed, <i>God be praised—there is indeed a brighter -side!</i></p> - -<p>She turned to Aleph, “You are right again. Jesus -lives. He has passed through death to his throne.”</p> - -<p>“I do not think,” said he, “that you are now able to -read to us the whole wonderful account as your mother -has written it. But perhaps you can give us a briefer account -in your own words—suiting the length to your -strength, and passing lightly over details that have tried -you most.”</p> - -<p>“I will try. But I think that I could not even do -this were it not for the strength and courage which this -last reading has given me.”</p> - -<p>After a moment she proceeded: “From the time of -the resurrection of Lazarus the chief men at Jerusalem, -with two exceptions, have been bent on the death of -Jesus. On the night before the Passover, they sent an -armed force to Gethsemane, where he was praying, arrested<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[357]</a></span> -him, took him to the palace of the high-priest, -went through a form of trying him for blasphemy, condemned -him (two only objecting), then hurried him -to Pilate the governor; and so importuned and worried -and threatened the reluctant Roman that he at last -consented, but not until they had taken on themselves -and their children the whole guilt of the deed, to condemn -him to the cross. Then followed mocking, and -buffeting and scourging. Then in the early morning, accompanied -by many weeping and wailing friends and a -mob of howling and exulting enemies, the soldiers took -him to Calvary and there crucified him between two robbers. -Oh, the cruel, cruel spikes! Oh, the more cruel -jeers and mockings and tauntings and railings of the soldiers—and -even of his fellow sufferers! They evidently -were suffering far less than he. Those familiar with crucifixions -had never before seen such agony. All the signs -of an inexpressible anguish were in both face and form. -And once he uttered a cry so terrible that Nicodemus, -who heard it, said that it would haunt him to his dying -day. He had never heard the like before: never could -bear to hear the like again. He is fully persuaded that -the sun in all his circuits had never looked down on such -mortal agony, because it was the agony of Him on whom -‘God laid the iniquities of us all.’ In fact, the sun refused -at length to look on the awful scene any longer. -He had climbed over the eastern hills, and up to the -zenith, with undimmed face, when, all at once, he disappeared. -For three hours the darkness of God was over -the whole land. Men could hardly see one another. -But the darkness of men was still greater than the -darkness of God. They still continued to cast at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[358]</a></span> -Jesus through the lurid dimness the stones of their -derision and insult until the end. At the ninth -hour the great Victim died—praying for his enemies. -Then the earth quaked mightily. Ancient rocks that -had defied men and time broke in pieces before the silent -cross. The veil of the temple was rent in twain by unseen -hands. Even dead men came from their graves, to -meet Jesus as he descended into his. ‘<i>Truly</i>,’ said the -centurion who had the crucifixion in charge, ‘<i>truly this -was the Son of God!</i>’</p> - -<p>“When all was over, the disciples smote their breasts -and returned to the city, filled with horror and almost -despair. Who could have thought it! Is there really no -humanity on earth, and no divinity in Heaven! Is this -the end of their hopes—this the end of their long and -fondly expected kingdom of God! From the towering -summits of faith to the depths of doubt and misery—what -a fall! My mother was not able to see the more -immediate disciples for two or three days; for she was -crushed in both body and heart: but Nicodemus kept her -informed as to everything. Besides, she knew how they -were feeling from knowing how she felt herself. She -was prostrated before the awful mystery. She was dazed -and almost incapable of thought under the mighty shock. -And yet she had at the bottom of her heart a feeling that -this could not be the end. God <em>cannot</em> be so defeated by -man.</p> - -<p>“So much for the tragedy. Had this been all that my -mother wrote I could never have smiled again. Her account -filled me with shame and horror and wrath. It -seemed to me that God would have been just if he had at -once smitten those murderers into the lowest Tophet.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[359]</a></span> -God forgive me! but I almost felt as if I could do it myself. -I felt as if I belonged to an accursed and doomed -race. Yes, I felt as if I could never smile again. But -you see that I can (and her face wet with tears shone out -upon him, with bewildering radiance); and it is because -the tragedy has a triumph for its sequel.</p> - -<p>“On the third day after the crucifixion Nicodemus -came home in great excitement, saying that the Roman -guard which Pilate, at the solicitation of the Jewish chiefs, -had set about the tomb where the body of Jesus had been -placed, came into the city early in the morning and reported -to the chiefs with scared faces and trembling lips -that One with a form bright as the lightning had flashed -down from the sky in their sight, rolled away the stone -from the door of the sepulchre, and sat upon it. They -fell to the earth, and became as dead men. When they -came to themselves they found the angel gone and the -tomb open and empty. Great was the perplexity of the -leaders on hearing this; but they finally resolved, Nicodemus -and Joseph of Arimathea protesting, to fortify one -crime by another, and gave a large sum of money to the -soldiers to say that the body was stolen while they slept. -This recalled vividly to my mother’s mind what Jesus -had once said, but which, in common with the other disciples, -she had taken as having some figurative meaning, -‘<i>And the third day I will rise again</i>.’</p> - -<p>“Soon after, one of the maids of the house, who also -was a disciple and had been out at the market, came -hastily home, saying that some of the apostles and others -had seen angels at the sepulchre who told them that Jesus -had risen—had even seen Jesus himself and spoken with -him. My mother could no longer restrain herself, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[360]</a></span> -hurried away to a place where the disciples were wont to -gather; and found many assembled. The room was in a -fever of restless pacings to and fro, of eager questionings -and answerings. Seen him? Spoken with him? Sure -there is no mistake? Peter and certain women were in -great request, for they could say <i>Yes</i> to all such questions. -The joy of assured conviction shone in some -faces; a hope that still feared in others. It seemed too -good to be true. Thomas, one of the Twelve, declared it -could not be true: there must be some delusion in it—either -of the senses, or the nerves, or the imagination. -He would not believe without the concurrent witness of -at least three senses. He had scarcely said this, when, -though the doors were closed, they saw Jesus himself -standing among them with the well-known form and features -and voice; and he said to Thomas, ‘Reach hither -thy finger and behold my hands; and reach hither thy -hand and thrust it into my side; and be not faithless but -believing.’ Thomas broke down at once. Doubt was -impossible. Not a ray of hesitation remained with any. -None understood the sublime march of events; none -knew what prodigies were yet to come, whether his enemies -would now be swept away and a visible Divine Kingdom -set up, or not; but of this all were sure that he who -had died on the cross was again alive among them. And -they rejoiced with exceeding great joy—though the joy -yet felt the swell and tossing of the just departed storm.</p> - -<p>“Since then my mother has seen the Messiah several -times. But he never shows himself to the people at -large. It is now understood among the disciples that in -a short time, after meeting them in Galilee, he will return -to Heaven—leaving his disciples to preach in his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[361]</a></span> -name forgiveness of sins to all nations who will repent -and believe.”</p> - -<p>“I think I will read to you,” added Rachel, “the -last page or two of the letter, that you may see what -views are now being held by those immediately about -Jesus as to his person and work.” She read:</p> - -<p>“Now we all know that my thought was right—that -his death was an atonement for the sins of all men; and -that the victims which have been offered from the beginning -were only types of this great Victim. And I say to -myself, What must be the nature and dignity of him -whose death can atone for all human sin? Must he not -be Divine as well as human? Must he not be God manifest -in the flesh? Who else could make so mighty an expiation?—who -else save he of whom it is written, ‘And -the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name -shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, -the Everlasting Father,’ and who has said of himself, -‘I and my father are one?’</p> - -<p>“I cannot return home just yet—much as I wish to -see you and others. This great opportunity of seeing -and hearing for a brief time longer the Redeemer of the -world is too precious to be sacrificed. Besides, the successive -tides of grief and joy have so shaken me that I -am unfit to travel.</p> - -<p>“Read what I have written to your dear grandfather. -Oh, that he were here—his fairness of mind and penetration -would be sure to place him on the side of Jesus.</p> - -<p>“Of course I have written the same things to your dear -father and brothers at Rome—hoping that amid their -great schemes of business and ambition they will find -room for faith, <em>my</em> faith. May they not be among ‘The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[362]</a></span> -rulers who take counsel together against the Lord and -against his Anointed?’ As to you I have no doubt, even -though the lot of Esther”—the maiden broke off abruptly -with a flush and a shudder, and busied herself -for a little in adjusting the leaves of the manuscript.</p> - -<p>This letter led to a long conversation; I should say to -long conversations. Daily, for many days, Aleph came -to his friends; and daily the great theme was Jesus the -Christ. Seti never failed to be present, and never failed -to be silent—save when a brief inquiry could bring light. -But, the day before the trials were to begin, he was absent, -arranging last things with his lawyer. Miriam also was -absent.</p> - -<p>The unfailing and unwearying topic of topics again -came up; and after a delightful talk about the past and -the future of the Messianic history, Aleph inquired about -the attitude of Seti.</p> - -<p>“My own impression has been,” said he, “that it -was better for a mind like his, so fair and penetrating -and judicial, to be left largely to feel its own way to the -truth. So I have made no formal effort to commend our -own faith to him—save by shaping my inquiries of -Miriam and our talks with each other so as to furnish -answers to questions which a great and philosophic mind -would naturally ask on its way to a just conviction. -Have I been right in this?”</p> - -<p>“I think so,” she answered. “Such men, my father -says, must convince themselves. The most we can do is -to get the material for judgment within their reach. -And I think we have done this successfully in the case of -my grandfather. His mind is open to evidence from all -quarters. He has no national or race prejudices. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[363]</a></span> -married a Caucasian princess; and was willing that my -mother should marry a Hebrew. Signs are not wanting -to me that his judgment is slowly but surely settling in -favor of Jesus, not only as a divine messenger, but even -as an incarnation of the One God. And yet I do not -think that he has any idea of relinquishing his position -as primate of the Egyptians.”</p> - -<p>“I see no reason why he should,” returned Aleph. -“He holds the original Egyptian position in matters of -faith; also that of the higher priesthood all through the -Egyptian history. He fairly represents the religion of -the land as it was when his office was established: his -predecessors have wrongfully used their power to change -the ancient faith and practice; he can rightfully use his -power to restore it. Meanwhile, he is acting no part; he -is perfectly frank and outspoken as to his views and objects; -his function requires of him no endorsement of -idolatry or even a refusal of the Hebrew Scriptures and -their Messiah. He could, to-day, say to his College of -Priests, not only that, like the far-back fathers, he believes -in one Infinite God who only is to be worshipped -with Divine honors, but also that he believes that this -God has just appeared in the person of Jesus—he could -freely say all this and his subordinate priests would not -be stumbled. So I think that no law, human or divine, -requires him to surrender the advantages of his position -in favor of some one who would promote the national -apostasy instead of reforming it.... But I could wish -to see him pronounced in favor of Jesus before I leave -the country.”</p> - -<p>“That, I trust, will not be soon?” said Rachel, with -a startled look.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[364]</a></span></p> - -<p>“As soon as these trials are fairly over, I suppose.”</p> - -<p>“What!” she exclaimed with a look of dismay, “I -thought you would remain a long time, studying our institutions, -enlarging your knowledge of the Western -World, especially getting an inside view of our University -life and teachings. Be persuaded to remain—a long, -very long time. Seti had rather lose all the rest of the -University. I do not think he could be persuaded to -part with you at all. And I think,” she stammered, -“all your friends here feel very much the same.”</p> - -<p>He replied, “My father did not propose for me a long -stay in this city. Through my Greek preceptor I was already -considerably acquainted with the matters you mention. -They have been merely collaterals to two main -purposes—which were, first, to learn what could be -learned about the Messiah who, as my father believed, -was born at Bethlehem some thirty years ago; and, -second, to investigate the proceedings of Malus. As side -issues my father wished me to get such improvement as -a young man might from seeing the world, and from being -under the necessity of judging and acting for himself -among all sorts of men and under all sorts of conditions. -And as soon as the great objects of my visit could be accomplished -he wished me to return. I am an only child: -the father wishes to see his son, and the son wishes to see -the father. And if I can return through Judea and see -the Messiah, and carry away from him to my parents a -blessing, I shall consider my mission accomplished. But -it will cost me something—very much indeed—to go -away, even though it be homeward. I never expected to -find such friends in Alexandria as I have found; and, as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[365]</a></span> -the day approaches for me to say farewell to them, I find -I am approaching one of the greatest trials of my life. -What wonderful kindness they have shown the nameless -stranger who could not, consistently with his father’s -wishes, furnish the commonest letter of introduction! -And what delightful hours have I spent in this house -with one whose views and feelings on the most important -of all subjects have harmonized so completely with my -own! Yes, it will cost me much to go away—I did not -know how much till I received yesterday a letter of recall -from my father (his lip quivered); and I doubt whether -I have even now a full sense of the bitterness that will -come in saying last words. But, if they must be said, it -is doubtless better that they be said a week hence than at -some remoter time. I feel that my heart is less and less -under my control with every passing day. You see (he -added with a sad smile) that, if there were no other reasons, -I must go away to escape from you: Rachel is too -mighty for Aleph the Chaldean. When one cannot conquer -it is best to leave the field.”</p> - -<p>“Flight is disgraceful,” exclaimed Rachel with -sparkling eyes. “Better die on the field. But I will be -merciful to my captive. He shall live.”</p> - -<p>“To be dragged at your chariot wheels—to grace the -triumph of her at whose feet lies the empire of the -West?” He rose.</p> - -<p>She also rose and came toward him. “You are quoting; -or you are thinking of a distant somebody of whom -you have heard and whom you have despised. Surely -you are not thinking of <em>me</em>. It is true, if I must say -it, that I have been offered the Roman purple in the person -of the heir-apparent; and that to-day the elders of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[366]</a></span> -my people have been here to urge my acceptance of the -proposals—for the public good. I listened to what they -had to say and was silent—following the counsel of my -grandfather. But to you I will not be silent. I have -never seen Germanicus, and never want to see him. The -empire of the West will have to wait long at my feet before -I take it up. I will have none of it. I had rather -die.”</p> - -<p>She hesitated a moment and then went on, while a -celestial blush spread a new loveliness over every feature, -“So you see that you need not go away to escape from -me. The daughter of Alexander was glad, beyond measure, -to hear that she was beloved by Aleph the Chaldean. -She accepts his love and gives him as large in return.”</p> - -<p>Even Aleph could be transfigured. And it was nothing -less than a transfiguration that now took place in his -face at this frank declaration. Rachel had seen that face -in many moods of thoughtfulness, watchfulness, resolve, -pity, gratitude, command; but she had never before seen -it radiant with joy. Now she saw it—wonderingly and -blissfully saw it. All the flood gates of the morning -seemed suddenly opened in his face. Such eloquence -beamed upon her from that illuminated page that she -needed no voice to interpret it. But a voice came—with -a curious accent of surprise and inquiry.</p> - -<p>“Can it be that I hear aright? Can it be that the -greatest good fortune of my life thus far has come to me -to-day; and that the maiden for whose favor princes -strive can give her heart and hand to one who is to her -merely Aleph the Chaldean—the unknown?”</p> - -<p>“You are <em>not</em> unknown,” she replied with a face as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[367]</a></span> -radiant and transfigured as his own. “It is true that I -do not know whether you are rich or poor, whether -prince or peasant, but this I know, that in yourself alone -you deserve the warmest love that woman can give; and -I give it. You shall be my emperor.”</p> - -<p>“What will Seti say?”</p> - -<p>“He will say as I do—proud old Pharaoh as he is.”</p> - -<p>“What will your father say—the rich, the ambitious?”</p> - -<p>“He will say as Seti says till he comes to know you -better; and then he will say as I do. Much as he values -money, I happen to know that he values merit more.”</p> - -<p>“What will the city say? That the Gem of Alexandria, -who might have chosen the greatest and best in the -land, and even been mistress of the West, has thrown -herself away on a nameless adventurer?”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps. But I do not propose to marry to suit -the city.”</p> - -<p>In a moment she found herself in his arms, and felt -his warm, lingering lips on her forehead. She looked up -at him archly and said:</p> - -<p>“And what will <em>your</em> father say?”</p> - -<p>“Ah, that is a very serious question!” he answered -with a smile; “but fortunately I can answer it better to-day -than I could have done yesterday. This morning I -saw Cimon, and, on my telling him my feelings toward -you, he surprised me by saying that it was my father’s -hope that during my absence I might find among the -chosen people some suitable maiden to share my lot and -be to him a daughter—that his wandering Jacob might -somewhere find a Rachel. And Cimon, from whom I -have kept nothing, is satisfied—nay, more, is delighted.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[368]</a></span> -So thus I answer your question. My father will say as -Cimon does, and Cimon will say as I do.”</p> - -<p>How long Aleph tarried at this unwatered wine I do -not know; but I happen to know that he did not become -so intoxicated but that he could hold a long business consultation -afterward with Piso and Seti about the trials -that were to begin the next day.</p> - -<p>He was driving the chariot of the sun; but he held -the fiery coursers well in hand.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[369]</a></span></p> - -<h2>XVI.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE BASILICA.</span></h2> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p>Οί δὲ δίκας ξείνοιο καὶ ενδήμοισι διδοῦσιν, τοῖσι τεθηλε πόλις.</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Hesiod</span>, <cite>Works</cite>, 223.</p> - -<p><i>Those who administer the laws with justice to foreigners and -natives—by these the city flourishes.</i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[370]</a></span></p> - -<ul> -<li>1. Before the courts.</li> -<li>2. Is Themis blind?</li> -<li>3. Fiat justitia.</li> -<li>4. Buat cælum.</li> -</ul> - -</div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[371]</a></span></p> - -<h3>XVI.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE BASILICA.</span></h3> - -<p>The courts of Alexandria were held in the great -Basilica at the intersection of Emporium Street -with the Street of Canopus.</p> - -<p>Among the Romans, subject peoples were, as far as -possible, left to be governed by their own laws and customs. -Accordingly all suits between persons of the -same nation were first tried by their own judges. An -appeal could be taken from these to a Roman court. -Also, the case went to a Roman court if the judges failed -to agree on a verdict.</p> - -<p>The suit of Malus against the two brothers, Shaphan -and Nathan, for the non-payment of the sum they had -agreed to give for his rights in their khan-business, -together with interest on the same for nearly thirty years -(time did not outlaw debts in Alexandria), being between -Jew and Jew, came before Jewish judges, who happened -to be equally divided between the two chief synagogues.</p> - -<p>In suits of this kind, and indeed of almost every kind, -it was customary for the more immediate friends of -either party to give him moral support by taking seat -with him in the court-room. Of course Malus was not -unprovided with sympathizers. Nor were Shaphan and -Nathan. On their side of the room sat Seti and Aleph, -as well as some of the principal men of the Diapleuston.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[372]</a></span></p> - -<p>I do not propose to give a detailed account of proceedings. -Those who are curious about the formalities of -ancient courts, Jewish or Roman, must seek for them in -other works. I touch only <i lang="la">fastigia verum</i>.</p> - -<p>The advocate of Malus first stated briefly the accusation. -Then Malus made oath that the statement was -correct. Next the defendants made oath to the contrary. -Then Piso, as advocate for the defendants, proceeded to -question Malus. Was it not possible that he had long -ago received payment, but had gradually, through press -of affairs of much greater consequence, lost sight of the -fact? Malus replied that he was not apt to be forgetful in -business matters: besides, he distinctly remembered having -made an annual application in writing at the beginning -of each year for the sum due him, to say nothing of many -personal applications. He was prepared to furnish witnesses -to the fact of such applications, both written and -oral, during a full quarter of a century.</p> - -<p>Piso inquired why he had not brought suit before. -Malus replied that he had not been pressed for money; -but that the leading motive for his long delay had been -<em>mercy</em>. He hated to push matters to extremities; but -had at last come, very reluctantly, to feel that forbearance -with such unscrupulous persons was no longer a -virtue, but rather an encouragement to wrong-doing.</p> - -<p>Here his advocate suggested that he probably was in -the habit of giving a receipt for moneys paid him.</p> - -<p>“I <em>always</em> do it,” he said promptly. “Of course a -receipt is always expected and demanded in case of large -payments. If the defendants had paid me the money -due they would have demanded a receipt and I should -have given it. Let them produce my receipt.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[373]</a></span></p> - -<p>Malus indulged himself with what he meant for a -smile, which was broadly imitated by his party.</p> - -<p>“Do you recognize this?” inquired Piso, producing a -discolored sheet of papyrus, and handing it to Malus. -The man’s hand visibly trembled as he took it; and as his -eye glanced along the page he could not prevent a ripple of -dismay from passing across his features. But it was gone -in an instant.</p> - -<p>“A very clever forgery!” he sneered.</p> - -<p>Piso took back the paper and handed it to the judges, -together with some letters which he himself had received -from Malus in course of years on business matters.</p> - -<p>“The honorable judges will perceive,” said he, after -a few moments had been allowed for a comparison of the -papers, “that if the receipt is a forgery, it is an exceedingly -clever one—perhaps will perceive that it is so clever -that none but an expert scribe, who has made a close -study of the plaintiff’s handwriting in many specimens, -could possibly have done it. This is what the leading -scribes in the city tell me, and are here to testify. But -Shaphan and Nathan are <em>not</em> skillful scribes—as you may -see from these specimens received from them in course of -business,”—and he passed over to the judges a parcel.</p> - -<p>After a few moments he resumed. “But the honorable -judges should further notice that the receipt bears -the signatures of two witnesses, as was customary years -ago in transactions of such magnitude. These witnesses -have given me some trouble. They left the city shortly -after signing this document, and I could not find any -one who knew where they were. The probability was -that they were dead; for they were not young when they -disappeared, and thirty years make havoc with old people.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[374]</a></span> -But yesterday, without concert and from opposite directions, -they for the first time returned to the city—each -drawn by a mysterious feeling that he was wanted and -<em>must</em> not stay away. They are in this room now; can -be identified by persons here present who formerly knew -them well; will testify to their own signatures, and anew -to the well-remembered fact that Malus received his -money in their presence.”</p> - -<p>Turning again to Malus, Piso said, “You say that -this receipt is a forgery—to whom do you attribute the -forgery?”</p> - -<p>“Of course to those who could hope for advantage -from it—to Shaphan and Nathan.”</p> - -<p>“The honorable judges and all here present will -please notice,” exclaimed Piso, “that Malus has publicly -charged my clients with the crime of forgery; a charge -which I deny in their name, against which their general -repute testifies, and for which I propose to bring suit -against him at fitting opportunity. He shall <em>prove</em> what -he now asserts, or suffer the penalty prescribed by law to -false accusers. Meanwhile, my clients are held innocent -by the law as not yet having been proved guilty; and -this case must be decided on the assumption that they -have <em>not</em> committed a forgery.”</p> - -<p>Of course the advocate on the other side was voluble -and shrewd. He had not practiced in the school of Malus -many years in vain; but had his ways of making the -worse appear the better—pushing some things to the -front, others to the rear; throwing a shadow here and a -glare there; slurring over this and dwelling on that; -magnifying little things and dwarfing great ones—all -after the manner of unscrupulous advocates in every age<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[375]</a></span> -The result was that the four judges were equally divided—the -Diapleuston pair deciding for the brothers, the -others for Malus. So the case went the next day to the -Roman Court held in another room of the same Basilica.</p> - -<p>Malus was not discouraged by this. He counted on -the Flaccan influence being in his favor; and, quite as -much, on his reputation of being on good terms with the -Roman authorities. He hoped to see some Romans of -standing, who might be supposed inspired by Flaccus, -occupying seats on his side of the house; also to get from -the judges, as they came in and took their seats, some -furtive glances of recognition and encouragement. He -was disappointed. Still, official people have to be prudent -in showing their favoritism; and he still hoped that the -powerful magnates at Bruchium were surely, though -secretly, at work for him.</p> - -<p>The case was reviewed, the arguments for and against -were repeated without material change, the same testimonies -were given as before—save that Piso was now able to -bring forward witnesses to show that, when his clients -informed Malus of the loss of the receipt and asked for -another, he did not deny having given one, but deferred -giving a duplicate just then because of press of business.</p> - -<p>The verdict was against the plaintiff.</p> - -<p>Malus was astonished at this unusual experience. It -was a blow at his prestige. There was no telling but that -other victims of his craft and greed, encouraged by this -defeat, might turn upon him. Also, it looked as though -his Roman friends were beginning to fail him. Still, he -was a man of audacity; had grown into a vast confidence -in himself and his star; believed more in Simon Magus -and his pleasing predictions than in God and eternal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[376]</a></span> -justice: moreover, he said to himself that the Romans in -this small matter were trying to appear impartial, so as -to break the force of public criticism and suspicion when -they should come to decide for him in the larger matters -pending. So he managed to keep up heart. Does not -many a bright day begin in clouds? Has not many a -victory been introduced by a check?</p> - -<p>The next day brought on his suit against Cimon the -Greek—to be tried in the same place, before the same -Judges and Prætor. He was on the ground very early, -with an enlarged body of sympathizers and a cheerful -aspect. His friends copied his example, and beat the -copy. They were almost hilarious. They thought that -it would help to gain a battle, to assume it to be already -gained. The real object of Malus, however, in being at -the Basilica considerably in advance of time, was to get, -if possible, an opportunity to convey a note, or a word, -through some sub-official of the court, to one or more of -the judges before they took their seats. This he was able -to do; for he made it worth the while for janitors and -pursuivants to oblige him.</p> - -<p>When the Prætor and Judges came in he watched -their faces for some auspicious sign. But they were still -very prudent—unnecessarily so, he thought. In his -heart he cursed them for it. It was carrying matters quite -too far. They might at least give him a glance that -would mean much to him while not compromising them. -But they did not even look his way. He would make -them sweat for it some day.</p> - -<p>Cimon, whom we have not seen for too many days, had -come in escorted by two officers; whom, however, he -seemed escorting. Seated near him were, not only Seti<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[377]</a></span> -and Aleph, but also Alexander, who had arrived from -Rome during the last night, together with a large delegation -from the Diapleuston Seventy. This was not a -pleasant sight to Malus: but it was a relief, as he -looked about from under his bushy eyebrows, to see seated -with his own company several Roman officers well known -as the intimates of Sextus Flaccus. “It is all right,” -said he to himself. “It is all wrong,” said the thoughts -on the other side of the house—with a few exceptions. -These exceptions said, “<em>The Lord reigneth</em>; I will not -fear what man can do to me.”</p> - -<p>According to custom, the court opened with an outline-statement -from the advocate of the plaintiff. The -defendant had visited the warehouse of Malus, was shown -by his conductor through the department of eastern -goods, was observed to notice particularly the jewels. -Soon after he left, and before any other person had come -in, the young man who had conducted him, becoming -disturbed as he thought of the suspicious appearance of -the stranger, returned to the jewelry room and found a -certain casket, containing gems worth fifty thousand -<i>aurei</i>, to be missing. Whereupon Malus set inquiries on -foot, found out where the stranger lodged, obtained a -search warrant, found the casket hidden in his room but -empty, and had him arrested for theft. His client -would say whether this statement was correct.</p> - -<p>According to custom, Malus made oath that the facts -were as stated—made oath “by Him who reigns in -Heaven”; for such was the blanket oath that could be -taken alike by the man who believed in Jupiter, or in -Zeus, or in Osiris, or in Jehovah.</p> - -<p>Then Piso outlined his defense. “Some facts had been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[378]</a></span> -correctly stated. Cimon did visit the warehouse, was -conducted through the jewelry department, did notice -the cabinet of jewels in passing. Also, the casket was -seemingly found in his room. But <em>he</em> did not carry it -there. That was done by the agent of Malus who conducted -the searching party, in order to make out a case -against Cimon, whom Malus had reason to fear and wished -to discredit and remove. His client would say whether -the facts had been correctly stated.”</p> - -<p>Cimon made oath that, to the best of his belief, the -facts were as stated.</p> - -<p>Omitting the plea for the plaintiff which came next, -the witness-bearing on both sides, the questionings and -cross-questionings by the advocates, I will give a summary -of Piso’s plea, which came last.</p> - -<p>He began with gravely ridiculing the idea that anything -in the appearance of Cimon should have suggested -to his conductor that he was a thief. “The Judges can -see for themselves that the story is incredible. So far as -appearances go, there is not a man here less likely to do -what has been charged upon him than Cimon, the Greek. -Further, it appears from the testimony of the Alabarch -that this man, whose face is written all over with the -natural marks of honesty and high character, has a credit -with him for 200,000 gold staters; and so is a very -unlikely person to steal what might be, as everybody -knows, a box of sham jewels, or even an empty box. -Further, the Superintendent of the jewelry department -has testified that he saw the casket in its place after -Cimon had left; and it cannot be claimed that he gave -this testimony in revenge for his dismissal from his post, -because he brought me the information before the dismissal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[379]</a></span> -took place. Further, the young man called Aleph -the Chaldean, and a much esteemed member of the University, -has testified that he was present when the search -was made, and actually saw the Cretan agent of Malus -furtively slip the casket from the bosom of his own tunic -as he pretended to grope for it on his knees in the dimmer -part of the room: and the Cretan himself, at last -tired of the wickedness he has been set to do, and fearing -the avenging heavens and his own awaking conscience, -has confessed that such was the fact—that Malus -had employed him to play that part, and, lest he should -be tempted to run away with the casket, had opened it in -his presence and showed that it was empty, instead of -containing gems to the value of 50,000 staters.</p> - -<p>“The advocate on the other side has asked what possible -motive could Malus have for attacking maliciously a -stranger who had never crossed his plans, or even his -path, till a few days ago. That point was well taken. -People do not act without motive, and what seems to -them a sufficient motive: and it is incredible that so -shrewd a man as Malus should lay a plot to brand Cimon -as a thief, and shut him up in prison, and, in default of -50,000 staters, sell him into slavery, without some powerful -reason for doing it. And such reason exists. The -plaintiff had become aware that Cimon had unearthed a -gigantic system of embezzlement on his part which -threatened to destroy his reputation, subject him to -heavy punishments, and sacrifice a large part, if not the -whole, of his fortune. To prevent this ruin he contrived -this plan to smutch Cimon as a low criminal whose -accusation was unworthy of notice—also to remove him -from view and possibility of action, first by incarceration,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[380]</a></span> -and then by sale into some distant servitude, as our laws -permit in case of insolvent debtors. All this will be -proved when the next suit in order shall come before the -court.</p> - -<p>“As this last is evidently a vital point, the Prætor and -Judges, might do well to consider whether it would not be -well to reserve their decision of this case until after the -suit of Cimon against Malus has been tried. They can -safely be promised great additional light.”</p> - -<p>Such, for substance, was what Piso said in a much -enlarged form. Strong opposition was made to his proposal -for postponement by the Malus party; but, after a -good deal of mutual consultation on the part of the -Prætor and Judges, and, as the day was already far spent, -it was at length decided to reserve the decision in hope of -additional light on the morrow.</p> - -<p>Malus was now thoroughly roused. Under the -stolid and uninterpretable exterior with which he retired -from the Basilica everything was ablaze—all his shrewdness, -all his determination, all his wrath, all his daring. -He was a born gambler, and could coolly stake everything -on a last throw. To-morrow he <em>must</em> conquer. -To-morrow he <em>would</em> conquer. The stars should fulfill -themselves by fighting for him. Simon should weave -his spells and summon his mightiest spirits all the live-long -night in his behalf. But he would not neglect to -supplement magic with all the human expedients for -winning success. He had prospered so long that he had -come to feel that prosperity was both his destiny and his -due. He had made people his prey so long that they -seemed <em>made</em> to be victimized: he had the right of a -fisherman to draw into his net as many fishes as possible<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[381]</a></span> -by all possible ways and means. He had used the right -freely, made many captures, and hitherto had not found -a captive large enough to break through his net. He -determined that his steady run of good luck should not -fail him. He spent the whole night with his lawyer—trying -to forecast the course of accusation and evidence -which the other party would take, and the best ways of -resisting the same. Among these ways he decided -should be a more decided and potent invoking of his -Roman friends to come to his aid. He thoroughly -believed in the venality of every Roman, from the governor -downward or upward. Some could be bought for -less than others—but all could be bought. Perhaps his -hints had not been sufficiently broad: perhaps he had -not hinted at sums sufficiently large in the case of some. -Now he would mend all that. The governor should have -an offer that he could not misunderstand; and one that -even a governor would find it worth his while to accept. -So of the city Prætor and Judges. Each should have his -gratification, and a large one. It would be costly work: -but then he could easily and swiftly reimburse himself if -his situation could be made secure. Such was his confidence, -after all, in the sympathy of the authorities and -in the power of money that he was able to face the new -day with untrembling nerves, despite the vigils of the -night. Had not trusty messengers gone in all directions -with instructions to make all sure, <em>sure</em>—regardless of expense?</p> - -<p>The Basilica was crowded long before the hour. Malus -had with him all his friends of the day before, and, in addition, -the leading men of his synagogue. On the other -side, besides those of the day before, was a large delegation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[382]</a></span> -from the University, with Philo and Cornelius at -their head—also a large number of by no means showy -people, apparently small traders and shop-keepers, whose -“moral support” the students seemed at first inclined to -laugh at, but, at a hint from Piso, ended in making much -of. Among these last was the Phenician of Chapter Second, -sitting between his Cretan oppressor and Malus’s -discharged clerk. It is doubtful whether Malus recognized -these persons—they were well in the rear; and besides -he deigned only a glance at the nobodies, being on -the lookout for only somebodies, for people of station and -weight and large consideration. Of this class he as yet -saw no addition to the other side, save the students; and -them he was prepared to see.</p> - -<p>It was now almost time for the court to open, when an -unusual stir was heard at the main door of the Basilica; -and shortly the Governor made his appearance, attended -by several sub-officials and supporting his son Sextus. -The young man was very pale, leaned hard on his father, -and, before he had advanced far, became faint and motioned -toward the first vacant seats they came to—which -chanced to be on Malus’s side of the house. Accordingly, -the party fell in there, and busied themselves in trying -most officiously to help the invalid—offering this and that -restorative, making this and that inquiry, and generally -making him as miserable as they could well do by shutting -off from him air and light and quiet.</p> - -<p>Malus was overjoyed. Plainly his last move had been -a successful one. The powers had at last shown their -hand. Now he was <em>sure</em> what the result of the trial would -be. He shot a glance of triumph at Piso; and was in the -act of rising to go and pay his respects to his excellency<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[383]</a></span> -and offer his services toward making the sick man still -more uncomfortable, when the voice of the crier was -heard, loudly demanding order and announcing the opening -of the court. He looked at the tribunal. The Prætor -and Judges were already in their places. So the best he -could do was to throw toward his Roman friends, so opportunely -arrived, as much of a mingled look of concern -and sympathy and welcome as his wooden face would -permit.</p> - -<p>According to Roman forms, the advocate of the plaintiff -first stated briefly his accusation. Some thirty years -ago a merchant from Chaldea visited the city; made Malus -his agent for the sale of certain costly goods to be sent to -him from time to time; and, from that time to this, made -frequent and heavy consignments—at first satisfactorily, -but with growing dissatisfaction as the years went on, on -account of the smallness of the returns; this smallness -being ascribed by Malus partly to losses in transit from -shipwreck and robberies, partly to enormous custom-house -exactions, and partly to poor markets. Finally, the suspicions -of the merchant became so strong that he sent his -friend Cimon to Alexandria to make inquiries and to take -such action as his representative as should seem fitting. -Inquiries had shown that the statements of Malus were -false at all points—the receipts which he had given as harbor-master -show that all the goods sent have been received -in good condition; the registers of the custom house, -which his excellency the Governor has allowed to be examined, -show that only a part of the goods received have -been entered for duty, and that the duty actually paid on -the part entered has been far less than reported (as also -appears from the testimony of the chief of the custom<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[384]</a></span> -house): finally, the testimony of the leading houses engaged -in the eastern trade, including that of Malus himself, -shows that the market price for nearly all the thirty -years has been far higher than Malus has reported. Proof -of all these statements would be submitted at the proper -time. In view of them it appears that Malus is indebted -to Cimon, the agent, in the sum of one million gold -staters, exclusive of the interest which the law allows in -such cases. The Judges could now see why Malus could -wish to discredit Cimon as a low criminal and remove -both him and his companion from the scene. It was to -discredit and, if possible, prevent a suit that threatened -him with ruin of both fortune and reputation.</p> - -<p>Did the plaintiff accept these statements as correct? -Cimon accepted.</p> - -<p>Then the advocate of Malus briefly denied the charge, -and stated as chief points of the defense—that the harbor-receipts, -beyond those for goods actually found registered -at the custom house, are forgeries; that what purported -to be Malus’s accounts to his Chaldean principal of exorbitant -duties and poor markets were also forgeries; that -very many of his accounts and remittances had been ignored; -that, instead of owing the Chaldean anything, he -had dealt with him on a principle of large liberality, and -had paid him considerably more than he could equitably -claim. He expected to show that his client was the object -of a great conspiracy—that people whom nobody -knew, whose very names were fictitious, and who certainly -had no visible standing and reliability, had conspired -to rob and ruin a man of the first standing; and -had craftily taken advantage of old feuds and religious -differences to secure abettors. The case was really one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[385]</a></span> -between the allegations of nobodies and those of a prominent -and honored citizen.</p> - -<p>Did the defendant accept these statements? Malus -accepted.</p> - -<p>Here Sextus Flaccus struggled to his feet, and with -the help of his father and the well-meant hindrance of -the other Romans about him, feebly and slowly made his -way to the opposite benches. Malus was yet standing -and saw every movement. He had just finished one -oath—and he felt like taking another. It was with difficulty -that he commanded himself enough to sink quietly -into his seat. What could this mean? Had his agents -betrayed him? Had the stars, and the magic spells, and -the mighty demons, and even Avilleus Flaccus at last -failed him? He was almost stunned by the sudden fall -from the heights of confidence to the depths of discouragement.</p> - -<p>As soon as the room was again quiet, Piso produced -his documents and witnesses. After these had been canvassed -by both parties, Piso proceeded to sum up for -Cimon somewhat after this manner:</p> - -<p>“It is a very easy thing to cry ‘forgery’ and ‘conspiracy.’ -Anybody can do that, provided he has no conscience. -I demand that my client be <em>proved</em> a forger and -conspirator. Until that is done he has a legal right to -be considered innocent.</p> - -<p>“I happened to foresee what course the defense -would take, and so was very glad to meet, yesterday, -in the city, the Superintendent of Customs at Myos -Hermos. This man, who has held his post for more -than forty years, and is well known to the authorities -here as reliable beyond question, has testified that all the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[386]</a></span> -parcels of goods which we claim to have been sent from -the East were duly received and recorded at his port, and -thence forwarded to Alexandria, and acknowledged by -Malus as harbor-master. This settles the matter. Malus -has received in good condition all the goods sent him—his -sworn denials and charges of forgery to the contrary -notwithstanding.</p> - -<p>“Just here I call the attention of the Judges to a -noteworthy fact: we did not send for this venerable witness -from Myos Hermos. Though we thought of him -and wanted him, we knew that we could not bring him -in time for the trial. How, then, does it happen that -he is here so opportunely? You have heard his explanation. -He had no particular business of his own to draw -him to the city, nor was he aware of the present suit; -only he felt pressed and drawn to be here on a certain -day by a mysterious influence which he was afraid to -resist. It looks as if the very Heavens themselves were -concerned to have justice done in this case.</p> - -<p>“We have seen that Malus received, in good condition, -all the goods sent. Only one question remains: -Has he duly accounted for them all to his principal? -The accounts which have been submitted to the Court—accounts -apparently in his own handwriting, and which -leading experts pronounce to be genuine—say No. They -say that many parcels have never been received; that -others came to hand in a damaged condition; that the -duties on almost all received were much larger and the -market-prices much smaller than the actual. But Malus -declares that these accounts are not genuine: they are -clever counterfeits, gotten up for the purpose of robbing -and ruining him. The accounts which he actually sent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[387]</a></span> -were very different, and correctly represent duties and -prices and everything. All this he simply asserts. He -makes no attempt to <em>prove</em> his assertion: and I might -well content myself with a simple counter-assertion. But -I will not do this. He says that he has sent to the East, -accounts correct in every particular, which have been -suppressed. To this I answer that all such accounts, -with remittances, imply as many acknowledgments from -the receiver. No merchant here, least of all Malus, would -go on sending accounts with moneys, year after year for -thirty years, without getting acknowledgments for the -same in the handwriting of the receiver or his authorized -proxy. Let Malus produce such acknowledgments. He -cannot do it. He has none to present.</p> - -<p>“But Malus alleges that the case is one of contest of -reputations. It is the assertion of a Nobody against the -denial of a Somebody. The word of an unknown foreigner -ought not to have any weight against the word of -that eminent citizen and saint whom everybody in Alexandria -knows, and knows to be full of riches and honors -and virtues—the man who has never wronged anybody; -has never ground the faces of the poor; has never sought -to take advantage of Shaphan the Jew, or Athon the -Phenician, or Epimetes the Greek, or Plautus the Roman, -or anybody else under the wide heaven. Here, -behind me, are a few of the people he has dealt with, -ready to testify that Malus is not the sort of man to commit -smuggling, to swear falsely, or even to be less than -most merciful to those in his power! Would Malus like -to hear from some of his victims?”</p> - -<p>On this Sextus Flaccus rose, and slowly, with feeble -voice and many a pause, proceeded to say that <em>he</em> was a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[388]</a></span> -victim, though not an innocent one. No doubt many -were surprised to see him there, and still more surprised -to see him in that part of the room. All Alexandria -knew that he had long been intimate with Malus, and -must know not a little of his principles and practices. -Indeed he had, he was ashamed to say, to a certain extent -shared in them. What sort of life he had lived, disgraceful -to himself and his friends, was notorious. It was not -necessary for him to specify—he would spare himself that -pain. But this he must say, that in all his follies and -sins he was always encouraged and often prompted by -Malus. His intemperance, his violence, his enmities, had -always been fanned by that man to the utmost.</p> - -<p>Without any help from Malus, he had been very hostile -to Cimon the Greek, and Aleph the Chaldean. The -latter had hurt his pride, and so humbled him in the -presence of others that he burned for revenge. Malus -whetted his passion, and prompted him to measures for -gratifying it which, bad as he was, he would not otherwise -have thought of.</p> - -<p>“Malus proposed,” continued Sextus, after pausing -to recover breath, “that we make common cause against -the two men. He told me frankly what reason he had -to fear them, and dwelt artfully on the reasons I had for -being revenged upon them. He tried to make me feel -that we had a common interest in humbling and suppressing -them. He plied me with wine. This and the -violence of my passions for a while carried me away and -made me a ready tool in his hands.</p> - -<p>“But I have changed my mind. I have been at -death’s door; and the light that came to me from behind -it has shown me three things: my own folly and guilt,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[389]</a></span> -the utterly unscrupulous character of my tempter, and -the thorough goodness of at least one of the men (and -presumably of his friend and preceptor) whom we had -been seeking to injure—may Heaven forgive me, as he -has done! To him I owe my life and an opportunity to -mend my ways. We had sought to dishonor him, and -he knew it. We had done our worst to give him a felon’s -name and fate, and he knew it. And yet he delivered -me from my enemies, rescued me from death, nursed -back my flickering life with the carefulness of a mother. -I will tell the whole painful story, if Malus chooses to -have me; but it would be to his disadvantage as well as -to my shame. I propose, Heaven helping me, to mend -my ways after thus publicly confessing the sin of them. -I advise Malus to do the same.”</p> - -<p>Sextus sank into his seat exhausted. The silence that -followed for a few moments thundered. What eyes were -not turned on Aleph were fastened on Malus. But the -wooden face said nothing; only the wood was several -shades darker than usual.</p> - -<p>Piso resumed: “The testimony we have just heard is -as weighty as it was unexpected. What Sextus Flaccus -has now said about the principles and practices of Malus -has long been said under breath by great numbers who -have dealt with him. It is well understood in the city -that Malus is not a man to stop at any safe way of accomplishing -his purposes of gain, or any other purposes. A -whole army of victims would appear against him, if it -could be understood that it would be safe to do so—would -have appeared long ago but for the conviction -that the monster that devours them is too big a monster -and too well fenced by his scales to be successfully attacked,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[390]</a></span> -or even complained of. He is the successor of -the Lernean Hydra, from whom all but Hercules felt -compelled to hide.</p> - -<p>“This is the eminent citizen who thinks that nameless -Nobodies ought not to have their testimony taken as -against him. I admit that Cimon the Greek and Aleph -the Chaldean were strangers here a few days ago, and are -still strangers to most of our people. And yet they have -found means so to introduce themselves to the confidence -of some of our most honorable citizens that these citizens -are willing to vouch for them: in which case they -stand before the law and the public with all the prestige -of their sponsors.</p> - -<p>“But I am unwilling to have my clients rest their -claim to respectability and consideration on the dignity -of any other people, however high, who are willing to -vouch for them. It is unnecessary. They have an honorable -standing of their own. It is written in their very -faces and bearing. Who is Cimon the Greek? It appears -from this certified copy of the records of the University -that thirty years ago a young man with that name -and of illustrious Athenian descent greatly distinguished -himself above all his companions in all branches of learning -and gentlemanly accomplishment. This young man -is Cimon the Greek—as two of the older teachers in the -University have been able to recognize and are here to -testify.</p> - -<p>“And who is Aleph the Chaldean? You have only -to look upon him to know that he is <em>Somebody</em>: how -much of a body, so far as social standing is concerned, -this packet which I now take up from the table ought to -tell. Those of you who sit near me can see that the seal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[391]</a></span> -is yet unbroken. I now break it; and, on removing certain -wraps, come to this” (he held up to view a roll of -vellum richly blazoned and bearing a broad seal). “This -document is bordered with many jewels, the value of -which some of you can judge of better than myself, but -which yet my limited knowledge of such matters assures -me to be quite great enough to authenticate the written -contents. So costly a credential as this is beyond the -reach of an impostor, and was doubtless chosen for this -reason. What are the contents?”</p> - -<p>He paused, and read in silence. Then, holding up -the vellum so as to display the seal, he resumed:</p> - -<p>“This seal bears on it the figure of a crown. The -script is in three languages—Latin, Greek, and Chaldean. -I will read the Greek:</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">To all whom it may concern</span>:</p> - -<p>“‘I, Jasper Daniel Atropates, King of Median Atropatene -and pontiff of the Most High God, foreseeing that -occasion may arise for such a document as this, do hereby -certify that the bearer is my only son, Prince Aleph -Daniel, whom I send with his Greek preceptor and my -chief counsellor into Egypt for purposes altogether peaceful, -viz.: to study the institutions and learning of the -West, to enlarge his knowledge of life and man, and to -act for me, in conjunction with his companion, in all my -business affairs in that land.</p> - -<p>“‘To this I affix the seal of my kingdom.’</p> - -</div> - -<p>“Such is the document,” said Piso, handing it to -the Judges for inspection. After a few moments he -resumed:</p> - -<p>“In explanation of this document, I would remind<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[392]</a></span> -the Court that Atropatene is a Chaldean kingdom of -great beauty and fertility, unassailably entrenched among -the mountains of Media, where for five hundred years -have ruled the descendants of the Hebrew prophet Daniel, -to whom it was given by Cyrus the Persian, and to -whose descendant Atropates it was confirmed by Alexander -the Macedonian. The monarchs of this dynasty -have not thought it beneath themselves to do as did Solomon -the Magnificent—to engage in commerce with foreign -countries and make the superfluities of one land -supply the deficiencies of another. Accordingly, when, -thirty years ago, Jasper with two other princes passed -through the land, he arranged with Malus, then not so -well known as he is now, to receive and dispose of such -eastern goods as might be sent him by way of the Red -Sea, Myos Hermos, and Coptus. Malus did not know -that his employer was a sovereign: probably has never -known it till now. This is the man whom he has defrauded—trusting -that the remoteness of his principal -would secure him from detection. But the Heavens -have decreed against him—the Heavens which he seems -to have forgotten.”</p> - -<p>The advocate of Malus made only a brief reply. He -dealt in generalities. He asserted and reasserted in many -forms, and with much strength of voice, the innocence -of his client. Whatever the appearances against him, -they were deceptive. To get at real facts we often have -to go below the seemings. Wise men have to be on their -guard against even their own senses. He would not condemn -the notable citizens and officials who had given -their support to the other side: at the same time, he -must be allowed to say that they have made a grave mistake.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[393]</a></span> -They have been misled by circumstantial evidence, -as many other intelligent and upright men have been. -He had no doubt but that they would some day see their -mistake, and be sorry for it. How would they like to -have their own reputations and fortunes fall a prey to -some plausible adventurer? He hoped that they would -never come to that; but it now looked as if no man’s -fortune, or even life, would henceforth be safe in Alexandria. -He trusted that the eminent Judges would see -the peril to which they and all people of consideration -are exposed, and, by their verdict, discourage attacks on -prominent men, to which envy and cupidity so strongly -tempt.</p> - -<p>It would not be surprising if his client, amid the -pressure and anxieties of so large and varied business, -had sometimes made mistakes, sometimes been forgetful, -and even sometimes been overborne and distracted to the -point of irresponsible insanity. In such circumstances -he may have done things which, in his right mind, he -never would have done. In the conduct of great and -complicated affairs the strain on the mind is often very -great; and, for his part, he wondered that it did not -give way oftener than it did. He hoped that the Judges -would take these considerations into account in making -up their verdict; and would not ruin one of their own -citizens for the sake of a foreigner, whether prince or -peasant. A verdict against Malus would send a large -sum out of the country, never to return. Alexandria -would be impoverished for the sake of Chaldea.</p> - -<p>So the case was submitted. The Judges conferred -among themselves for a few moments, and then one of -them spoke in a low tone to the Prætor.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[394]</a></span></p> - -<p>The public crier summoned attention, and the Prætor -announced:</p> - -<p>“I. The Judges have decided that the suit of Malus -against Cimon is unsustained, and order that the defendant, -discharged from custody, receive damages to the -amount of 50,000 staters, the estimated value of the -jewels said to have been stolen.</p> - -<p>“II. Also, the Judges have decided that the suit of -Cimon against Malus is sustained; and order that the -latter pay to the former the arrears for thirty years as -determined by certain dealers in eastern goods, hereafter -to be designated, in view of the actual duties and prices -during that period, and counting as genuine both the -harbor receipts of Malus and his accounts to his principal -as they have been shown here.</p> - -<p>“III. Also, it is ordered that Malus be taken into custody -until the payment now decreed has been made, and -until it has been legally determined whether he is guilty -of the crime of smuggling. <span class="smcap">Licitum est Decedere.</span>”</p> - -<p>Aleph and Cimon were overwhelmed with congratulations. -The Governor pressed them to become his -guests and occupy a vacant palace at Bruchium; but -they excused themselves, and begged to be allowed to -return unceremoniously with Seti to the Serapeum. -They were unable, however, to return as inconspicuously -as they wished: for the delegation of students, with Cornelius -at their head, insisted on escorting them, and -cheering crowds gradually gathered about them, and -before they reached the temple they met nearly the whole -enthusiastic membership of the University, whom nothing -could prevent from rending the air and shaking the -city with cries of “<span class="smcap">Long live Aleph the Prince!</span>”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[395]</a></span></p> - -<p>Who were they who said that poetical justice is <em>always</em> -done in this world? Ah, I remember—they were the -friends of Job. Who were they who said that poetical -justice is <em>never</em> done in actual life? No matter: whoever -said it smote facts in the face. I mean such facts as -are recorded in this chapter: also such as are recorded in -the Bible history of Joseph, but especially of Daniel the -prophet, the great ancestor of our Aleph, against whose -fortunes the floods of wrong not only surged in vain, but -floated them up to higher levels.</p> - -<p>Under the sun, the race is not always to the swift, -nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor -riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of -skill. Sometimes good men have to wait long for their -due—sometimes even into the next world. Of course, -sooner or later justice will be done. As sure as there is -a God in Heaven, justice <em>must</em> be done, sooner or later. -But we are always thankful when it is done <em>sooner</em>—when -a good man does not have to wait for his due till he -is dead; when some Daniels and Aleph-Daniels are not -only recompensed in the earth, but find the feet of justice -not so heavily weighted but that they can reach their -goal within a few days of the starting. The weak in faith -then thank God and take courage.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[396]</a></span></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[397]</a></span></p> - -<h2>XVII.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE CONCLUSION.</span></h2> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p>Οταν εὺτυχήσωμεν τότε χαίρειν παρέσταὶ.</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Sophocles</span>, <cite>Electr.</cite> 1299.</p> - -<p><i>When we shall succeed, then is the time to rejoice.</i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[398]</a></span></p> - -<ul> -<li>1. Neither impotent nor lame.</li> -<li>2. Each to his own place.</li> -<li>3. By way of Jesus.</li> -<li>4. Home.</li> -</ul> - -</div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[399]</a></span></p> - -<h3>XVII.<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE CONCLUSION.</span></h3> - -<p>Were it not for a most conspicuous example, now -and then, of large success in committing an enterprise -to God and then mightily trusting His Providence, -faith would lack a very desirable inspiration.</p> - -<p>In the case of our Chaldean friends, the success was -very large indeed. As we all soon come to know, many -good enterprises end in complete failure. Only a few attain -complete success, and realize all they proposed to -themselves. Still fewer <em>surpass</em> their aim, and accomplish -far more than they expected or ventured to hope. -Yet such was the enterprise of Cimon and Aleph in Alexandria.</p> - -<p>What had they proposed to themselves? To investigate -Malus, and bring him to justice; to gather reliable information -concerning Him who was born king of the Jews -and to whom the miraculous star had guided the Magian -sovereigns; to broaden and enrich the education of -Aleph, not only by giving him a wider outlook on the -world and humanity, but by throwing him, divested of -all the insignia and glamour of his rank, entirely on his -own resources for guidance and help in dealing with men -in new and difficult circumstances. All these objects had -been accomplished.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[400]</a></span></p> - -<p>Within a few days from the close of the trial the -authorities had placed in the hands of Cimon the full -amount of his claim against Malus, together with interest -on all delayed payments. This, in itself, was not -sufficient to ruin the rogue financially. But he had already -drawn considerably on his resources in his attempt -to bribe the judges and secure the countenance of other -influential people: for they had not hesitated to take -silently his gifts though no equivalent was rendered. -But the greatest drain upon him came from another -quarter. Other victims of his rapacity, encouraged by -the result of Cimon’s suit, attacked him successfully; -and before long it seemed as if there would be no end to -the suits. Under these circumstances, Alexandria was -not much surprised, one fine morning, to hear that Malus -(latterly they had fallen into the way of calling him -Pessimus) was nowhere to be found—nor any of his remaining -assets. The guard set upon him was not incorruptible, -and he had disappeared between two days. No -one knew where he had gone. Some said to Ethiopia; -some said to Spain; some said to Marseilles in Gaul; and -some would have it that he had taken to the desert with -Draco. A few declared that he had committed suicide. -This last supposition, however, was considered extremely -improbable, on the ground that so shrewd a person would -not take the trouble to carry away with him goods which -he did not mean to use. There is no use for current -money of the merchant in Hades. Whatever supposition -was correct, it is certain that Malus never reappeared in -Alexandria.</p> - -<p>But our friends had a still more important object in -coming to the commercial metropolis of the West. It<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[401]</a></span> -was to learn about Him who was born king of the Jews. -Some things they already knew from the Magi—that his -coming was divinely heralded and accompanied by supernatural -events, that his mission was a great and glorious -one, having significance for all nations. What had they -learned in addition? That the life which had opened so -grandly amid the ministries and songs of angels, and the -worship and gifts of star-led pilgrims, had come to a -still grander sequel—that into the glowing dawn had at -length come the sun in his strength; a mingled glory of -miracles and character and teaching such as never before -gathered about a single life—that Jesus is surely the -Messiah of the Sacred Books and their sufficient credential—that -this Messiah is not, as has been commonly -supposed, a secular warrior, conqueror, and king; but a -spiritual monarch ruling over willing hearts in the interest -of truth and righteousness, and whose victories are -salvations—that his mission in the world is one of humiliation -instead of exaltation, of suffering instead of pleasure, -of death instead of life; and that in dying he completed -a vicarious sacrifice for the sins of the world—also, -that to express the dignity of his being both the -prophets and himself use language which exalts him far -above angels and claims for him a Divine nature. To -know all this was a great gain, more than they had ventured -to hope. And if, on their way home, they should -be able to see the Messiah with their own eyes, witness -personally some wonderful work, and obtain for themselves -and theirs his personal benediction, they would -feel that their way had been wonderfully prospered.</p> - -<p>And then the educational object which the father of -Aleph distinctly proposed to himself—was that object<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">[402]</a></span> -well secured? How well Aleph carried himself when -thrown on his own resources for guidance we have seen; -and my belief is that when his parents come to see him -and to hear the report of Cimon, they will be quite satisfied -with their experiment. They will realize that the -promising bud has beautifully flowered, that the rare -plant which had started and grown so thriftily in their -sheltered and sunny conservatory was now hardy enough -to be transplanted into the open field, and even to the -windy summits of life.</p> - -<p>So all the ends proposed in the visit of our friends to -Alexandria were accomplished—and more. For these -unknown men had been the means of introducing not -only a loftier moral element into the student life of Alexandria, -but had so drawn upon Cornelius and Metellus, -who had specially attached themselves to them, that they -had begun to study the Septuagint, to frequent the services -at the Diapleuston, to admire the sublime monotheism -and hopes of the Jew, and finally to give sure -token of becoming, the one the devout Cornelius of the -Acts of the Apostle and the other one of those Christians -saluted by Paul as belonging to “Aristobulus’ household.”</p> - -<p>But the influence of Aleph on Sextus Flaccus was still -more remarkable. His frequent interviews with that -penitent man ended not only in his thorough reform, -and in his renouncing idolatry, but also in his accepting -Jesus as a Divine sacrifice for sin.</p> - -<p>And it was on this wise. The young Roman at first -was terribly oppressed with a sense of sin. He could -hardly say too much against himself. His misdeeds and -follies haunted him like ghosts, and hunted him like<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">[403]</a></span> -the Eumenides. Their horrible faces scowled at him, -their serpent-hair hissed and leaped at him, their -clenched hands shook themselves at him from behind -almost every object he saw. Sometimes in his sleep -he would see a mountain, traced all over in fiery characters -with the names of his sins, moving swiftly toward -him; and he would wake drenched in sweat and -terror as the ponderous masses came rushing in upon -him and buried him thousands of feet beneath their munitions -of rocks. At other times he dreamed that, like -Andromeda, he was chained to a rock at the ocean’s edge, -and that great storm-billows in long succession were -sweeping in upon him, and that on the crested summit of -each a great sea-monster with lurid eyes and open jaws -came rushing and shrieking <em>Sin</em>, <em class="smcap">Sin, SIN</em>. He -shrieked as loudly—and awoke in despair.</p> - -<p>It was in this state that he first sent for Aleph. His -first sense of relief came when Aleph told him the story -of Jesus, and suggested the idea of a Divine incarnation -and atonement for sin. The wretched man clutched the -idea as a drowning man does a plank. Here was something -solid to rest upon. Here was a sufficient sacrifice -for even his enormities. The weight began to lift from -his oppressed breast. At last one day as Aleph was reading -to him the sublime description which Isaiah gives in -his 53d chapter of Him on whom “were laid the iniquities -of us all,” a mighty deliverance came. Suddenly all -his doors and windows sprang open musically to welcome -Jesus as the Lamb of God. The sense of need opened -them. From that day the sick body mended wonderfully; -and soon the streets of Alexandria saw a new man -under an old name. The name continued to be Sextus<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">[404]</a></span> -Flaccus, but it stood for a very different person. It stood -for the first Roman Christian of rank who dared to avow -himself. Paul on his arrival at Rome some years later -found him a member of Cæsar’s household, and ready to -help him with all his influence in founding the first Roman -church.</p> - -<p>This was a great and unexpected success. But, in addition, -our eastern pilgrims, with nothing but their cultured -manhood to show, had found other friends such as -they had never counted on finding—friends well worth -the having, even by a prince; friends whose friendship -was for themselves and not for their rank; friends among -whom was one—but I must not anticipate. Nay, I must -go back a little.</p> - -<p>Though Alexander had reached home early in the -evening before the last trial, it was very late before he -could get to his rest—he had so much to tell and so much -to hear. And this was what he had to tell. He had succeeded -in both the objects for which he had hastened to -Rome. Of course, one of these objects was to prevent -the disturbance at the Diapleuston from being misrepresented -to the emperor as a personal affront. It was not -reported at all. For some reason Flaccus had not -thought it best to say anything about the matter in his -dispatches. Probably he thought that some of the circumstances -would not bear telling; and then the presence -of Alexander at the ear of the emperor was in itself -a caution to be prudent. So Flaccus was dumb.</p> - -<p>The other object which Alexander had in view was -really to find out some safe way of declining the marriage -proposals in behalf of the Cæsar.</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding the fears of his daughter, he had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">[405]</a></span> -never been so much attracted by the offer of an imperial -alliance as were some of his Jewish friends. He had -been too much behind the scenes at the Palatine. He -knew too much of Tiberius and Cæsarism. He knew -nothing to the disadvantage of Germanicus and much to -his advantage; but he also knew that Tiberius as a young -man had won golden opinions; also, that to be the -nephew and heir apparent of the jealous and capricious -emperor was very far from being foreordained to empire. -So one of his objects in going to Rome was, not to see -whether the proposals were desirable, but to see how they -might safely be declined. That was a hard problem. -But Providence favored him. He found that Germanicus, -who had never seen Rachel, had many times seen -Agrippina, the granddaughter of Augustus, and to very -good purpose. The growing intimacy and attachment -between the young people which he was not slow to discover -he promoted to the utmost. And when the matter -was ripe he found means of bringing it to the knowledge -of Sejanus, the emperor’s favorite, and of so enlisting -him in its support that under his influence Tiberius began -to regret his Egyptian proposals, and to seek some excuse -for recalling them. “He did not know, when they were -made, of the situation at home. It had only just come -to his knowledge. He was sorry; but he hated to break -young hearts.” Alexander allowed that it would be a -pity. The emperor also thought that, inasmuch as Germanicus -and Rachel had never met, it might not, after -all, be a very hard matter for the fair Alexandrian to have -the matter dropped in such a quiet and honorable way as -could easily be devised. Alexander candidly allowed -that the fact which his majesty had stated was a weighty<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">[406]</a></span> -one. In short, Tiberius receded from his proposals; -and, to soften the supposed disappointment to the mighty -banker for whom his treasury had so much use, he sent -him home in the imperial galley with new guaranties and -privileges for the Jewish community in Egypt, and with -a broad hint to Flaccus to let it be known that the honor -of the imperial alliance had been declined from religious -considerations which the emperor felt bound to respect. -The Alabarch expected nothing less than that early the -next morning all Alexandria would be in possession of the -news, and would be wondering how he could so rebuff -the emperor and yet stand higher in his favor than ever.</p> - -<p>This, for substance, was what Alexander had to tell. -Of course Rachel was vastly delighted at her escape; and -showed that she was by flinging her arms about her -father’s neck and rapturously kissing him.</p> - -<p>But the father wanted to hear as well as to tell. -Something of what had transpired had reached him by -letter; but he wanted to know all. And Seti rehearsed -all that had happened since that memorable Sabbath at -the Diapleuston. Rachel sat uneasily silent, leaning -against her father and toying with the splendid jewelled -badge of the Order of the Golden Eagle which Tiberius -at parting had, with his own hands, fastened on his -breast—listening with burning cheeks as her grandfather -in his graphic way reproduced the events and expressed -the confidence and admiration with which Aleph had inspired -him. Every now and then she stole an anxious -look at her father’s face; not quite sure how the shrewd -man of affairs, professionally accustomed to deal with -men on a principle of suspicion and abundant caution, -would view the eulogiums of the priest and philosopher,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">[407]</a></span> -founded on so brief an acquaintance. When Alexander -had heard all, he said slowly:</p> - -<p>“If I had never seen the young man, nor known Seti -so well, I might have challenged the sobriety of the account -I have just heard. But, having seen him twice, -and you a thousand times, I have nothing to say, save -that I wish he was emperor of the West, or at least the -Cæsar. In that case, perhaps, I would not take so much -trouble to keep the Cæsar at arm’s-length, as I have been -lately taking in another quarter”—and he nodded smilingly -at Rachel. “But who can he be?”</p> - -<p>“No matter who he is,” returned Seti with emphasis, -“since he is a <em>Man</em>, a sovereign man. He has a broader -empire within him than Tiberius sees without him; an -empire of which no caprice of fortune can rob him. And -his body is as sovereign as his soul. He needs no herald -to go before him and cry, <i>Make way, for the king is coming</i>. -Men know it as soon as they see him.”</p> - -<p>To such words Rachel could have listened all night. -But she wondered whether they would have been spoken -had father and grandfather known what she knew. She -had not yet mustered courage to speak to Seti of her new -relation to Aleph; in fact had about made up her mind -to leave all explanations to Providence and Aleph. So -both Seti and Alexander remained ignorant of that wonderful -conversation between the young people which I -have lately recorded till Aleph the Chaldean had become -Aleph the Prince, and had asked leave to substitute -for the proposals of Tiberius certain proposals of his -own. Then the whole matter came out. The Alabarch -found that his daughter had no serious objection to being -a princess provided the prince was of the right sort. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">[408]</a></span> -was in very much the same mood himself. Indeed, he -went so far as to say that he would not have refused his -daughter to Aleph had he always remained simply Aleph -the Chaldean, of unknown birth and fortunes: how much -less could he do it now that the young man stood revealed -a Hebrew of the Hebrews, a descendant of Daniel -the illustrious statesman and prophet, and the heir of the -stablest and choicest, though not the largest, sovereignty -of the age!</p> - -<p>So, before many days (but not until the arrival of -Rachel’s mother from Jerusalem, and her express sanction, -and even her joyful confession that Aleph was a -very welcome substitute for even so good a Cæsar as Germanicus) -a formal betrothal took place; and all Alexandria -took to busily talking over the gracious ceremonial. -Now they understood why Germanicus had been respectfully -declined. The ground had been pre-empted. Another -prince had spoken, and spoken in person. “And -no wonder,” said they, “that he was successful; for -never did we set eyes on a goodlier person or a princelier.” -So Alexandria was in excellent humor; and for -once all the five quarters of the city ceased their mutual -wrangling and railing and consented to say the same -complimentary things. Even the elders of the Diapleuston -who so much wanted to see a second Esther on the -imperial throne were by this time ready to allow that -Rachel had chosen very happily for herself, if not for the -Jewish public. They offered congratulations. They -sent in rich presents—especially Ben Simeon, who, from -the first, had been so drawn to Aleph, and was now in -charge as consignee in the place of Malus. But the richest -and most valued presents that Rachel received on that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">[409]</a></span> -auspicious day were two—from opposite quarters. One -was a copy from the Septuagint of all the Messianic -prophecies in their order, beautifully done on vellum -margined with jewels—this came from Aleph. The -other came from Flaccus, in the name of his son Sextus, -and was no less than the Setian palace on the Nile which -has had so conspicuous a place in this narrative. Some -damage had been done to it by Draco and his band in -their orgies and final rummage for concealed treasure: -but he had been so thoroughly frightened by what he -had done to Sextus, as well as by the escape of Aleph and -the numerous foot-prints found about the premises early -the next morning, that his search was very hasty and -ended in the whole gang betaking themselves precipitately -to the desert—to the great misfortune of the desert and -travelers, but without much damage to the stronghold -they had left. It was soon put in prime condition by -Flaccus, and then, in an elaborate communication, presented -to Seti for Rachel and Aleph as an “Egyptian -home to which his excellency hoped they would very -often return.” It was a question in the mind of Seti -whether a man could give what does not belong to him; -but this question, wise man that he was, he kept to himself, -and was very glad to have the ancient heirloom come -back in any way into his family.</p> - -<p>And these were the ulterior arrangements. Cimon -and Aleph would return home at once by way of Palestine, -with the hope of falling in with the Messiah ere his return -heavenward. Then, as soon as possible, Aleph -would come again with his father’s formal sanction to -claim his bride; and then her father and mother and dear -mother-father would take a long vacation and accompany<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">[410]</a></span> -her and Miriam (henceforth inseparable) to their new -home. Alexander even went so far as to intimate that, -mindful of the uncertainty of the imperial favor and of -the Jewish position in Alexandria, he was thinking seriously -of transferring the bulk of his fortune to a safer -region; and to facilitate this had already arranged to -open a branch banking house at Ecbatana, where converged -many routes of commercial travel. By all means -do this, O great financier, and tarry not in the doing; -for the times in the west are threatening, and Rome is a -volcano that may at any moment send streams of lava -farther than Alexandria. Plant thy family and fortunes -amid the safe Chaldean mountains, hard by the tombs of -Daniel and Esther in Eden; and, looking calmly forth -from your impregnable observatory, see distant Cæsars -rise and fall, see distant legions march and counter-march, -and, above all, see the friendly star that offers to -guide your faith and gifts to Jesus the King. Then -push out the antennæ of commerce vigorously into all -lands, and gather the spoils of peace wherewith to decorate -the Prince of peace. It is your mission. You have -a genius for honorable money-making. Use it vigorously. -It is as sacred as a genius for eloquence, or a -genius for science.</p> - -<p class="tb">A brilliant caravan files through the gate of Canopus. -Our friends are moving homeward. They came by the -way the Magian fathers returned; they are returning by -the way those fathers came. They have just said farewells -to Shaphan and Nathan: a little before they had -said still more tender ones at the palace of Alexander.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">[411]</a></span> -Flaccus had insisted on sending with them an escort of -cavalry as far as the frontier; and Alexander, and Seti, -and Cornelius at the head of a large delegation from the -University, will go with them a day’s journey.</p> - -<p><em>We</em> will not go with them even that distance, though -we would be glad to do so; but will say our farewells and -godspeeds just here before the khan where Shaphan and -Nathan once reluctantly parted with the Divine Child. -Our parting, too, is reluctant. We are vastly sorry, O -wise men of the East, to say good-bye to you, though it -be for only a few moons. It is not often that such as -you have crossed our path, or any path. But partings -must be; and so, comforting ourselves with the expectation -of seeing you again when all Alexandria is ablaze -with that rare thing, a royal marriage made in Heaven, -we gather courage to say <span class="smcap">Adieu</span>! May the Father above -prosper your way to the father below. We foresee that -He will. You and yours are well mounted; and though -only Aleph has a Parthia beneath him, there can be but a -few days of travel between you and the Messiah. The -longings of your hearts will be gratified. You will reach -Galilee in season. There, on a certain mountain, with -more than five hundred fellow disciples, you will see with -your own eyes Him in whom you have blessedly believed -without seeing; will be welcomed by Him for the fathers’ -sake as well as for your own; will perhaps see some of -the “many other signs which are not written in this -book”; and, finally, in the early morning, as you resume -your journey and are taking a look backward on -the city of so many sacred memories, you will see over -the Mount of Olives a human form slowly rising through -the air with outstretched hands of benediction. The son<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">[412]</a></span> -of Daniel will need no interpreter. Behold the Heavenly -King going to his home even as you are going to yours! -And you will worship and go on your way rejoicing; -bearing to your Chaldean home such news that all its silver -trumpets will sound as it exclaims:</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Thank God! ye, too, have been star-led pilgrims.</span></p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">When forth the Tribes to Canaan went,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">In travel long and sore,</div> -<div class="verse">What guide had they along the way,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Save cloud that went before—</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Save cloud that <em>goes</em> before,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">And goeth evermore?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">And when the Wise Men of the East</div> -<div class="verse indent1">A pilgrim banner bore,</div> -<div class="verse">What guide had they along the way,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Save star that shone before—</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Save star that <em>shines</em> before,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">And shineth evermore?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">And when the Wise Men of the West,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Wise in a saving lore,</div> -<div class="verse">Set forth through wilds to find the Child</div> -<div class="verse indent1">And win the Golden Shore,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">That shineth evermore,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">And moveth nevermore;</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Some cloud from God will surely go</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Their doubtful steps before,</div> -<div class="verse">All through the light—and through the night</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Some star its beams shall pour,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Some star their path explore—</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Guide faileth nevermore.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Who to the Lord his way commends</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Shall never lose his way,</div> -<div class="verse">But ever find the Lord is kind</div> -<div class="verse indent1">To lead from dark to day:</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_413" id="Page_413">[413]</a></span> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Shall even find the Lord doth know</div> -<div class="verse">A way so kind that e’en the blind</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Straight to his mark can go—</div> -<div class="verse">At least <em>His</em> mark, which, kinder far,</div> -<div class="verse">The daily cloud and nightly star</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Go seeking evermore,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">And missing nevermore.</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> -<hr class="full" /> -<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ALEPH, THE CHALDEAN; OR, THE MESSIAH AS SEEN FROM ALEXANDRIA***</p> -<p>******* This file should be named 61041-h.htm or 61041-h.zip *******</p> -<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> -<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/6/1/0/4/61041">http://www.gutenberg.org/6/1/0/4/61041</a></p> -<p> -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed.</p> - -<p>Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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