I am poor, I am young, I am innocent. I am neither a
spy nor a merchant. I have no plots, no wealth. I am a pilgrim.'
'A decided spy,' exclaimed Scherirah; 'they are ever pilgrims.'
'He speaks too well to speak truth,' exclaimed Kisloch.
'All talkers are liars,' exclaimed Scherirah.
'That is why Kisloch is the most eloquent of the band.'
'A jest at the banquet may prove a curse in the field,' replied Kisloch.
'Pooh!' exclaimed Scherirah. 'Fellows, why do you hesitate? Search the
prisoner, I say!'
They advanced, they seized him. In vain he struggled.
'Captain,' exclaimed one of the band, 'he wears upon his breast a
jewel!'
'I told you so,' said the third robber.
'Give it me,' said Scherirah.
But Alroy, in despair at the thought of losing the talisman, remembering
the injunctions of Jabaster, and animated by supernatural courage, burst
from his searchers, and, seizing a brand from the fire, held them at
bay.
'The fellow has spirit,' said Scherirah, calmly. ''Tis pity it will cost
him his life.'
'Bold man,' exclaimed Alroy, 'for a moment hear me! I am a pilgrim,
poorer than a beggar. The jewel they talk of is a holy emblem, worthless
to you, to me invaluable, and to be forfeited only with my life.
Pages:
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70