'Speak,' said Alroy, 'speak the worst. No news can be bitter to those
whom the Lord will avenge.'
'Ruler of Israel! thus saith Hassan Subah,' answered the messenger: 'My
harem shall owe their freedom to nothing but my sword. I treat not with
rebels, but I war not with age or woman; and between Bostenay and his
household on one side, and the prisoners of thy master on the other, let
there be peace. Go, tell Alroy, I will seal it in his best blood. And
lo! thy uncle and thy sister are again in their palace.'
Alroy placed his hand for a moment to his eyes, and then instantly
resuming his self-possession, he enquired as to the movements of the
enemy.
'I have crossed the desert on a swift dromedary[54] lent to me by
Shelomi of the Gate, whose heart is with our cause. I have not tarried,
neither have I slept. Ere to-morrow's sunset the Philistines will be
here, led by Hassan Subah himself. The Lord of Hosts be with us! Since
we conquered Canaan, Israel hath not struggled with such a power!'
A murmur ran through the assembly. Men exchanged enquiring glances, and
involuntarily pressed each other's arms.
'The trial has come,' said a middle-aged Hebrew, who had fought twenty
years ago with Jabaster.
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