he intense heat, the king removed
to his summer palaces at Ecbatana and Pasargadae, situated in the
mountainous regions of Persia, where it was often bitterly cold, the
boys were ordered to bathe in the icy water of the rivers flowing from
the heights. In place of the dainty dishes and sweetmeats for which
Persian cooks were famous, they were allowed nothing but bread, water,
and a little meat; sometimes to accustom them to hardships they were
deprived entirely of food for a day or even longer.

[Illustration: THE BOYS HURRIED OFF TOWARD HOME.]

On this morning the exercises seemed specially long to the two
brothers, full of anticipations of pleasure; but finally the last
block of wood was hurled, the last arrow shot, the last wrestling
match ended, and the boys, bearing a sealed roll of papyrus,
containing a leave of absence for one day, hurried off towards home.

Their father's palace stood at no great distance from the royal
residence, on the long, wide street extending straight to the city
gates, and like the houses of all the Persian nobles, was surrounded
by a beautiful walled garden called a paradise, laid out with
flower-beds of roses, poppies, oleanders, ornamental plants, adorned
with fountains, and shaded by lofty trees.

The hunting party was nearly ready to start, and the courtyard was
thronged. Servants rushed to and fro bearing shields, swords, lances,
bows and lassos, for a hunter was always equipped with bow and arrows,
two lances, a sword and a shield. Others held in leash the dogs to be
used in starting the game.

The enormous preserves in the neighborhood of Babylon were well
stocked with animals, including stags, wild boars, and a few lions.
Several noblemen clad in the plain hunting costume always worn in the
chase, were already mounted, among them the father of the two lads,
who greeted them affectionately as they respectfully approached and
kissed his hand.

"Make haste, boys, your horses are ready. Take only bows and
shields--the swords and lances will be in your way; you must not try
to deal with larger game than you can manage with your arrows."

"May we not carry daggers in our belts, too, father?" cried Otanes
eagerly. "They can't be in our way, and if we should meet a lion--"

A laugh from the group of nobles interrupted him. "Your son seeks
large game, Intaphernes!" exclaimed a handsome officer. "He must have
better weapons than a bow and dagger, if--"

The rest of the sentence