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With you I should live for a few sweet joms, and with you I should die; so go on kill the athalebs if you wish." "Do not!" cried Almah "do not! There is no hope. We are their prisoners, and our only hope is in submission." Upon this all further thought of resistance left me, and I stood in silence, stolidly waiting for their action.
My daughter is like me, and instead of being ashamed of her station she is proud of it, and would not give it up even to become a pauper. I will see you again. I have much to say." With these words the Kohen Gadol retired, followed by Layelah, leaving me more hopeful than I had been for a long time. For many joms following I received visits from the Kohen Gadol and from Layelah.
Our voyage occupied several joms; but our progress was continuous, for different sets of rowers relieved one another at regular intervals. On the second jom a storm broke out. The sky had been gathering clouds during sleeping-time, and when we awoke we found the sea all lashed to fury, while all around the darkness was intense.
Many joms passed, and there was only one thing that sustained me the hope of seeing Almah yet again, though it were but for a moment. That hope, however, was but faint. There was no escape. The gate was barred without and within. I was surrounded by miscreants, who formed the chief class in the state and the ruling order.
Some more joms had passed, and the light season had almost ended. The sun had been sinking lower and lower. The time had at last come when only a portion of his disk would be visible for a little while above the hills, and then he would be seen no more for six months of our time.
"Do you mean to sacrifice both of us?" I gasped. "Of course." "What! Almah too?" "Certainly. Why should we be so cruel to the dear child as to deprive her of so great a boon?" At this I groaned aloud and turned away in despair. Many joms now passed away. I grew more and more melancholy and desperate. I thought sometimes of fighting my way out.
A few joms after, I was informed by the Kohen that there was to be another sacred hunt. At first I felt inclined to refuse, but on learning that Almah was going, I resolved to go also; for Almah, though generally mistress of her actions, had nevertheless certain duties to perform, and among these was the necessity of accompanying hunting-parties.
He was a hideous wretch, with eyes nearly closed and bleary, thick, matted hair, and fiendish expression in short, a devil incarnate in rags and squalor. But as the joms passed I found it difficult to repel my associates. They were always inflicting their society upon me, and thrusting on me nasty little acts of kindness.
The rowers pulled with no life or animation; the officers stood about sighing and lamenting; Almah and I were the only ones that rejoiced over this escape from death. Joms passed. We saw other sights; we met with galleys and saw many ships about the sea.
We will consent to forego the right of separation, and agree to live together, even though we love one another. Above all, we will refuse death and consent to live. Can any rulers do more than this for the good of their people?" Another outburst of applause followed. "In three joms," continued Almah, "all you hags and paupers shall be sent to exile and death on Magones.
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