not for
his blood; but let the guilty monarch beware how he trifles with my
commands! Balphoras! haste thee back with a double guard, and inform
Jehoiakim that my orders are not to be trifled with; and moreover, that
if he persists in his stubbornness, I shall send sufficient force to drag
him into my presence as a guilty culprit."

The communication was in perfect accordance with the desires and
expectations of the Chaldean officer. Balphoras was in possession of an
amiable mind. He was respectful to his superiors, kind and gentle to his
inferiors. Wherever he was known among his countrymen he was greatly
beloved. However, he was not insensible to injury or indifferent to
abuse. He felt deeply; but had learned to be a greater conqueror than his
master, inasmuch as he that governeth his own spirit is greater than he
that taketh a city. Balphoras, without being unkind or selfish, desired
to witness the humiliation of the King of Judah. The command of his king,
therefore, was put in immediate execution, and the Chaldean minister,
accompanied by a strong and imposing guard, once more was on his way to
demand admission into the presence of the King of Judah.

. . . . . . .

"Jared! Well would I have served those guilty dogs, if I had given orders
to have their heads taken off. What sayest thou, Jared?"

"They richly deserved it, O king," answered Jared, with his face in
another direction, on which played a suppressed smile.

"Let them beware how they insult the King of Judah! Jared! hast thou
learned aught of Sherakim's whereabouts?"

"Naught, O king."

"Ungrateful dog! Cowardly fool! Miserable brawler!--Sherakim! Bah! Jared,
order more wine. Whom should Jehoiakim fear? Jared! what trouble is there
in the porch? Haste thee and see."

Jared hastened to obey the commands of his drunken sovereign, and
presently returned.

"The same messenger from the King of the Chaldeans demands an interview
with the King of Judah."

"Let him be admitted. Ha! ha! What next?"

Balphoras, with a firm, dignified step, walked into the presence of
Jehoiakim, who, in spite of his wine-propped courage, almost trembled
beneath the Chaldean's penetrating glance.

"And what hast thou to communicate at this time?"

"My communication is short and decisive."

"The shorter the better--let it be delivered."

"My illustrious sovereign, the King of Babylon, wishes the King of Judah
to underst