s him
at home, being too young for the wars. Is this not true?"

"Yes, maiden, you have said truth," the Greek answered.

"I have had many great ones before me, but none greater than you, for
three thousand years from now people will still talk of your bravery and
of your wisdom. They will remember also the faithful wife at home, and
the name of the old man, your father, and of the boy your son--all will
be remembered when the very stones of noble Sidon and royal Tyre are no
more."

"Nay, say not so, Alaga!" cried the priest.

"I speak not what I desire but what it is given to me to say. For ten
years you will strive, and then you will win, and victory will bring
rest to others, but only new troubles to you. Ah!" The prophetess
suddenly started in violent surprise, and her hand made ever faster
markings on the sand.

"What is it that ails you, Alaga?" asked the priest.

The woman had looked up with wild inquiring eyes. Her gaze was neither
for the priest nor for the chief, but shot past them to the further
door. Looking round the Greek was aware that two new figures had entered
the room. They were the ruddy barbarian whom he had marked in the
street, together with the youth who bore his harp.

"It is a marvel upon marvels that two such should enter my chamber on
the same day," cried the priestess. "Have I not said that you were the
greatest that ever came, and yet behold here is already one who is
greater. For he and his son--even this youth whom I see before me--will
also be in the minds of all men when lands beyond the Pillars of
Hercules shall have taken the place of Ph[oe]nicia and of Greece. Hail
to you, stranger, hail! Pass on to your work for it awaits you, and it
is great beyond words of mine." Rising from her stool the woman dropped
her pencil upon the sand and passed swiftly from the room.

"It is over," said the priest. "Never have I heard her speak such
words."

The Greek chief looked with interest at the barbarian. "You speak
Greek?" he asked.

"Indifferently well," said the other. "Yet I should understand it seeing
that I spent a long year at Ziklag in the land of the Philistines."

"It would seem," said the Greek, "that the gods have chosen us both to
play a part in the world."

"Stranger," the barbarian answered, "there is but one God."

"Say you so? Well, it is a matter to be argued at some better time. But
I would fain have your name and style and what is it you purpose to do,
so that