of this canal to the rulers of Egypt, but they had always met the
unbending resistance of the priesthood. The Egyptian sages explained to
the pharaoh that that canal would expose the country to inundations
from the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. But Hiram asserted that such a
thing would not happen; the priests knew that it would not.

"Ye Phoenicians," said the pharaoh, after a long time, "promise to pay
one thousand talents yearly for one hundred years. Ye say that that
canal dug in the sand is the best affair in the world. I do not
understand this, and I confess, Hiram, that I am suspicious."

Hiram's eyes flashed.

"Lord," replied he, "I mil tell thee everything, but I abjure thee by
thy crown, by the shade of thy father, not to discover the secret to
any one. This is the greatest secret of the Chaldean and Egyptian
priests, and even of Phoenicia. On it depends the future of the world."

"Well, well, Hiram," answered the pharaoh with a smile.

"To thee, O pharaoh," continued the Phoenician, "the gods have given
wisdom, nobility, and energy, therefore, Thou art on our side. Thou,
alone, of earthly rulers mayst be initiated, for Thou art the only one
who will be able to accomplish great objects. For this reason Thou wilt
have power such as no man has ever reached before thee."

Ramses felt the sweetness of pride in his heart, but he mastered his
feelings.

"Praise me not for what I have not done; but explain to me what profit
will come from this canal to Phoenicia and to Egypt?"

Hiram straightened himself in the chair, and began in a lowered voice,

"Know, lord, that east, north, and south of Assyria and Babylon are not
morasses inhabited by strange monsters, but immense states and
countries. Those countries are so great that thy foot warriors, O
holiness, renowned for marching, would have to move eastward two years
without halt before they could reach the end of them."

Ramses raised his brows like one who permits some man to lie, but knows
that he is lying.

"Southeast of Babylon, ac the great sea, dwell one hundred millions of
people who have mighty kings, who have priests wiser than those of
Egypt, who have ancient books, and skilled artisans. Those people know
how to make woven stuffs, implements and vessels as beautiful as those
of the Egyptians, and from time immemorial they have temples above
ground and underground, which are grander, richer, and larger than the
temples of Egypt."

"Speak on, sp