trade of war, and you surely are not wanting in
courage."

A smile of flattered vanity rested on Ephraim's lips, and toying with the
broad gold bracelet on his arm, perhaps unconsciously, he replied with
eagerness:

"Ay, my lord, I have often proved my courage in the hunting field; but at
home we have plenty of sheep and cattle, which even now I call my own,
and it seems to me a more enviable lot to wander freely and rule the
shepherds than to obey the commands of others."

"Aha!" said the priest. "Perhaps Hosea may instil different and better
views. To rule--a lofty ambition for youth. The misfortune is that we who
have attained it are but servants whose burdens grow heavier with the
increasing number of those who obey us. You understand me, Hornecht, and
you, my lad, will comprehend my meaning later, when you become the
palm-tree the promise of your youth foretells. But we are losing time.
Who sent you to Hosea?"

The youth cast down his eyes irresolutely, but when the prophet broke the
silence with the query: "And what has become of the frankness you were
taught?" he responded promptly and resolutely:

"I came for the sake of a woman whom you know not."

"A woman?" the prophet repeated, casting an enquiring glance at Hornecht.
"When a bold warrior and a fair woman seek each other, the Hathors"--[The
Egyptian goddesses of love, who are frequently represented with cords in
their hands,]--are apt to appear and use the binding cords; but it does
not befit a servant of the divinity to witness such goings on, so I
forbear farther questioning. Take charge of the lad, captain, and aid him
to deliver his message to Hosea. The only doubt is whether he is in the
city."

"No," the soldier answered, "but he is expected with thousands of his men
at the armory to-day."

"Then may the Hathors, who are partial to love messengers, bring these
two together to-morrow at latest," said the priest.

But the lad indignantly retorted: "I am the bearer of no love message."

The prophet, pleased with the bold rejoinder, answered pleasantly: "I had
forgotten that I was accosting a young shepherd-prince." Then he added in
graver tones: "When you have found Hosea, greet him from me and tell him
that Bai, the second prophet of Amon sought to discharge a part of the
debt of gratitude he owed for his release from the hands of the Libyans
by extending his protection to you, his nephew. Perhaps, my brave boy,
you do not know that you have