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The leader of the Karasmians, as he retreated, hurled a dart at the Caliph, which must have been fatal, had not a young officer of the guard interposed his own breast, and received the deadly wound. The party, in confusion, returned with all speed to the camp, Alroy himself bearing the expiring victim of desperate loyalty and military enthusiasm.
Alroy beheld him in state and semblance the same Solomon, whose sceptre the Prince of the Captivity had seized in the royal tombs of Judah. The strange assembly seemed perfectly unconscious of the presence of the child of Earth, who, with a desperate courage, leant against a column of the arch, and watched, with wonder, their mute and motionless society. Nothing was said, nothing done.
A band of eunuchs near the throne gave way; a female figure veiled to her feet appeared. She held up her hand amid the breathless agitation of the whole assembly; the ranks of the eunuchs again closed; a shriek was heard, and the veiled figure disappeared. 'I am ready for thy tortures, King, said Alroy, in a tone of deep depression. His firmness appeared to have deserted him.
On every side he beheld a wild scene of disorder and dismay. He was speechless from passion and despair. The camel was dragged into the desert. A body of cavalry instantly surrounded it, and they set off at a rapid pace. The whole seemed the work of an instant. How many days had passed Alroy knew not. He had taken no account of time. Night and day were to him the same. He was in a stupor.
And lo! I heard my name still called. Full of my morning dream, I thought it was you, and I answered, "Dear sister, art thou here?" But no one answered; and then, reflecting, my memory recognised those thrilling tones that summoned Alroy in Jabaster's cave. 'The Daughter of the Voice? 'Even that sacred messenger. I am full of faith. The Lord hath pardoned me. Be sure of that.
Its novelty pleased them, and the perpetual excitement of urgent necessity left them no time to mourn over their terrible vicissitudes. While Alroy lived, hope indeed never deserted their sanguine bosoms. And such was the influence of his genius, that the most desponding felt that to be discomfited with him, was preferable to conquest with another.
He is the pillar of my empire; and holding forth his hand, Alroy placed the high priest on his right. 'Scherirah, you depart this eve. The rough captain bowed in silence. 'What is this? continued Alroy, as Jabaster offered him a scroll. 'Ah! your report. "Order of the Tribes," "Service of the Lévites," "Princes of the People," "Elders of Israel!" The day may come when this may be effected.
Two months had scarcely elapsed since Alroy and Jabaster had sought Scherirah in his haunt, and announced to him their sacred mission. The callous heart of him, whose 'mother was a Jewess, had yielded to their inspired annunciations.
'Seven thousand scimitars! 'Not one less; my father flourished one. 'It was indeed a great day for Israel! 'Nay, that is nothing. When old Alroy was prince, old David Alroy, for thirty years, good Caleb, thirty long years we paid no tribute to the Caliph. 'No tribute! no tribute for thirty years! What marvel then, my Prince, that the Philistines have of late exacted interest?
'I am the Lord's anointed. His warning has not reached me. 'Now it reaches thee. Doth the king despise the prophetess of the Lord? It is the sin of Ahab. 'Despise thee! Despise the mouth that is the herald of my victories! 'Twere rank blasphemy. Prophesy triumph, Esther, and Alroy will never doubt thy inspiration. 'He doubts it now. I see he doubts it now.
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