heban nobles
of various ages grouped in attitudes of hushed expectancy in the bow.
One robust peer, with a boat-hook in his hand, leaned over the prow.
Another, barely older than fourteen, had mounted the side of the boat,
and steadying himself by the shoulder of a young lord, gazed ahead at
the group in the bow of Senci's boat.

"By the horns of Isis," he whispered in disgust, "the most of them are
babes!"

The robust noble turned his head and jeered good-naturedly under his
breath.

"Mark the infant sneering at the buds. But be of cheer. One is there,
ripe enough to sate your green appetite."

"Nay! do you distribute them now? Let me make my choice, then."

But a general chorus of whispered protests arose.

"Hold, not so fast. The fan-bearer first. 'Twas he who hit upon the
plan."

The nose of the pursuing boat crept alongside the stern of the one
pursued, and the oars rested in obedience to a whispered order. The
diagonal current which moved out from the Arabian shore, and the
backward wash of water from the oars of the forward boat, heaved the
head of the nobles' barge toward its object. The robust courtier
leaned forward and made fast to his captive with the hook. A sigh of
approval and excitement ran through the group.

"Gods! how they will scatter!" the young lord tittered nervously.

"Nay, now, there must be no such thing," the robust noble said,
addressing them all. "Mind you, we but come as guests. It shall be
left to the ladies to say how we shall abide with them. Show me a
light."

The instant brilliance that followed proved that a hood had been lifted
from a lamp. One of the men held a cloak between it and the group on
Senci's boat. Kenkenes raised himself. The lamp discovered to his
angry eyes the face of Har-hat.

"Now, hold this hook for me while I get aboard," the fan-bearer
chuckled.

With a single step the young sculptor crossed to the side of the barge
and wrenched the hook from the hands of the man that held it. For a
moment he poised it above him, struggling with a mighty desire to bring
it down on the head of the startled fan-bearer. The youthful lord
dropped from his point of vantage and half of the group retreated
precipitately. Har-hat drew back slowly and raised himself, as
Kenkenes lowered the weapon. For a space the two regarded each other
savagely. The contemplation endured only the smallest part of a
moment, but it was eloquent of the bitterest mutual an