s them.
The most competent become priests or officials; the less gifted go to
the navy and obtain great wealth frequently. Now I think the prince
will not wonder that Tyrian mothers do not mourn for their children. I
will say more: Thou wilt understand, lord, why there is no punishment
for parents who kill their children, as there is in Egypt."

"Wretches are found in all lands," replied the prince.

"But there is no child murder in our country," continued Hiram, "for
with us children, when their mothers are unable to support them, are
taken to the temple by the state."

The prince fell to thinking; suddenly he embraced Hiram, and said with
emotion,

"Ye are much better than those who tell tales of you. I am greatly
rejoiced at this."

"Among us, too, there is no little evil," answered Hiram; "but we are
all ready to be thy faithful servants shouldst Thou call us."

"Is this true?" asked the prince, looking him in the eyes.

The old man put his hand on his heart.

"I swear to thee, O heir to the throne of Egypt and future pharaoh,
that if Thou begin at any time a struggle with our common enemy,
Phoenicia will hasten as one man to assist thee. But receive this as a
reminder of our conversation."

He drew from beneath his robe a gold medal covered with mysterious
characters, and, muttering a prayer, hung it on the neck of Prince
Ramses.

"With this amulet," continued Hiram, "Thou mayst travel the whole world
through, and if Thou meet a Phoenician he will serve thee with advice,
with gold, with his sword even. But now let us go."

Some hours had passed since sunset, but the night was clear, for the
moon had risen. The terrible heat of the day had yielded to coolness.
In the pure air was floating no longer that gray dust which bit the
eyes and poisoned respiration. In the blue sky here and there twinkled
stars which were lost in the deluge of moonbeams.

Movement had stopped on the streets, but the roofs of all the houses
were filled with people occupied in amusement. Pi-Bast seemed from edge
to edge to be one hall filled with music, singing, laughter, and the
sound of goblets.

The prince and the Phoenician went speedily to the suburbs, choosing
the less lighted sides of the streets. Still, people feasting on
terraces saw them at intervals, and invited them up, or cast flowers
down on their heads.

"Hei, ye strollers!" cried they, from the roofs. "If ye are not thieves
called out by the night to snatch b