oath that she will
accept Plexo as her husband. What can a girl of that age do in the
hands of unscrupulous villains like these? It may be that this fox
Plexo has been trying flattery; and, finding that failed, has called
in Ptylus, who can threaten her with the anger of these gods of hers,
to say nothing of perpetual imprisonment and harsh treatment. We will
therefore push on at once. Amuba and I carry our stout peasant staves,
while you, Chebron, have your dagger concealed under that female
dress. We shall have all the advantage of surprise in our favor. It is
not likely that there are more than one or two men there, with perhaps
a female servant. Ptylus would not wish the secret to be known to more
than was absolutely necessary. Of course it is possible that the four
men who carried her off may all be on guard there, but if so, it makes
but six; and what with the surprise, and what with their not knowing
how numerous we are, that number should not be more than sufficient
for us to dispose of without difficulty. At any rate, were there
twenty I would not hesitate; honest men need never fear an encounter
with rogues."

"Especially," Amuba said, "when the honest men possess such sinews as
yours, Jethro, and a good heavy cudgel in their hands."

Jethro smiled, but was in too earnest a mood to answer, and at once
led the way along the hillside until immediately behind the house
among the trees; then they descended, climbing with some difficulty
over the wall surrounding the wood, and entered the inclosure.
Treading as lightly as possible Jethro and his companions passed
through the wood and made their way up to the house. It was small but
handsomely built, and was surrounded with a colonnade supported by
carved pillars. The garden immediately around it was evidently
carefully tended, and the house, from its secluded position, was well
fitted as a place of sojourn for a wealthy priest or noble desirous of
a few days' rest and retirement from the bustle of the great city. As
all were barefooted they passed across the garden to the colonnade
without the slightest sound. As they reached it Jethro held up his
hand for them to stop, for the sound of voices came through the wide
doorway of an apartment opening out to the colonnade. Both Chebron and
Amuba at once recognized the voice of Ptylus.

"I will put up with no more of this folly, Mysa. You should think
yourself fortunate in the extreme, in the position in which you are