and by a sentiment natural to the wicked, who generally
render those who are subject to them answerable for everything that
wounds their vanity, at his return he caused to be executed, in the
public square, above two thousand men, who had refused to adore him.
These examples of severity spread abroad the fire of a rebellion,
which was lighted in all parts of his dominions; and, notwithstanding
the anxiety that these troubles gave him to stop the progress of them,
an inward emotion, which he could not resist, led him continually
towards the cavern.

"What is it I go there to seek?" said he within himself. "The
reproaches and contempt of one of the vilest animals, whilst I am
everywhere adored--whilst every word that comes from my sacred mouth
is revered. Yet, notwithstanding this, what am I in the eyes of an
animal whom God protects? A shadow of power--an object of impotence!
Ah! Dakianos, what shame! what confusion But, however, I have
concealed it, notwithstanding this God, who will torment me, and His
efforts will be in vain against my regulations. How happy I am to have
concealed from my subjects the knowledge of such a misfortune! How
prudent was I in erecting a wall which forbids all entrance to the
cavern, and in hindering all mankind from approaching it by the troops
which I have disposed before it! But in what manner can my slaves have
subsisted whilst I have kept them enclosed there? Doubtless they have
some communication into the country, and that communication is unknown
to me. To remedy this inconvenience, I must surround the mountain with
my troops." Accordingly he gave orders to six hundred thousand men to
form an encampment round it, and to let no person approach a place
that was so odious to him.

When he had taken these new precautions, he returned to the entrance
of the cavern, and said, with a fierce and haughty voice,

"Now you will be obliged to deliver yourselves up to my power!"

Catnier answered him again, "We fear thee not: God is our protector.
But believe me, and return to Ephesus: thy presence is become
necessary there."

Dakianos perceiving that he would give no further answer, returned to
the city, and found that several of the chief of the eunuchs of his
seraglio were murdered. Dakianos, distracted at this affront, could
not forbear returning to the cavern, and saying to Catnier (because he
was the only creature that answered him),

"If thy God could restore me the honour that has