rs,
also build of blocks of stone, were, as Metem informed them, sacred
to and emblematical of the gods El and Baaltis. In front of them was a
platform surmounted by a stone altar, and between them, built in a pit
in the ground, burned a great furnace of wood. All the centre of the
enclosure was occupied by the marshalled ranks of the priests and
priestesses. Without this sacred ring stood the closely packed masses
of spectators, amongst whom Aziel and his following were given place,
though some of the more pious worshippers murmured audibly at the
admission of these Jews.

When they entered, the companies of priests and priestesses were
finishing a prayer, the sentences of which they chanted alternately
with strange effect. In part it was formal, and in part an improvised
supplication to the protecting gods to restore health to that woman or
high-priestess who was known as the lady Baaltis. The prayer ended,
a beautiful bold-faced girl advanced to an open space in front of the
altar, and with a sudden movement threw off her white robe, revealing
herself to the spectators in a many-coloured garment of gauze, through
which her fair flesh gleamed.

The black hair of this woman was adorned with a coronet of scarlet
flowers and hung loose about her; her feet and arms were naked, and in
each hand she held a knife of bronze. Very slowly she began to dance,
her painted lips parted as though to speak, and her eyes, brightened
with pigments, turned up to heaven. By degrees her movements grew more
rapid, till at length, as she whirled round, her long locks streamed
out straight upon the air and the crown of flowers looked like a scarlet
ring. Suddenly the bronze knife in her right hand flashed, and a spot
of red appeared above her left breast; then the knife in the left hand
flashed, and another spot appeared over the right breast. At each stroke
the multitude cried, "_Ah!_" as with one voice, and then were silent.

Now the maddened dancer, ceasing her whirlings, leapt high into the
air, clashing the knives above her head and crying, "Hear me, hear me,
Baaltis!"

Again she leapt, and this time the answer that came from her lips was
spoken in another voice, which said, "I am present. What seek you?"

A third time the priestess leapt, replying in her own voice, "Health for
thy servant who is sick." Then came the answer in the second voice--"I
hear you, but I see no sacrifice."

"What sacrifice would'st thou, O Queen? A dove?