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BOOK IF MIDINAH
BEING
A CONCISE ACCOUNT OF THE HISTORY
OF THE EARLY PEOPLE OF THE
CONTINENT OF AMERICA,
KNowN As
MOUN D BUILDERS.
& z-ZA = A2
2%-–

ST. LOUIS, MO. :
LITTLE & BECKER, PRINTERS, 210 PINE ST.
1884.
CoPYRIGHT, 1875.
BY
CYRUS F, NEWCOMB & COMPANY,
IISTTEeorytºrcºrror T
TO THE
BOOK OF ALGOONAH.
—eoe—
This book is given to the public with a view of
throwing light on a very interesting but obscure sub-
ject. The various mounds, monuments, relics, etc.,
in existence in this country, have excited the curiosity
of the most indifferent, as well as most enlightened
men of research. Then there are so many indications
of intelligent design displayed in these works, that it is
no matter of surprise that scientific men should be
filled with a desire to penetrate the mysterious veil of
forgotten history that shrouds the people that built
these remains. There are very many indications of
the high antiquity of these monuments of an age long
gone by, and the strong probibility of their being made
by a highly refined and civilized people, adds to the
relish of the inquiry and deepens the mystery that en-
velopes these lost, long forgotten people.
The remains of Ancient Egypt, being of much more
recent construction, and also being situated in a land
where rain never falls, and the atmosphere is uniformly
,--
- - -- --~~., 4 * **, *. >
‘. . . ... . . . . . ..., . . . . . J.
~ * * * * * *
* 2: ; * : *- # *s * *
“....' ... . . . . . . . .
dry, are in a remarkable state of preservation, while
these monuments, being formed of more perishable
material, being in a moist and humid climate, and be-
ing very much older, have tumbled into confused
masses of rubbish, yet, there remains enough to con-
vince the intelligent inquirer that there is behind all
this perfection of design, a mystery deep and almost
unfathomable. As we first remarked, it is our intention
to cast a few feeble rays of light on this dark subject;
and we are well aware that we will stir up a great deal
of honest criticism, yet we are satisfied that the work
contains internal evidence of its authenticity as an his-
torical book, and we assure the scientific world that it
is formed from authentic materials. We invite a care-
ful and honest perusal of the book, and promise to
further elucidate the matter at no distant day.
THE AUTHOR.
CHAPTER I.
Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of the
849th age of the world, that Merodach was king of
Assyria, and there was war in the land, for Ramases
the king of Aegyptus, came up and encamped against
the great city of the Assyrians, and laid seige to it, and
the king Merodach was sore pressed; insomuch, that
the armies of Aegyptus were about to prevail over the
armies of the king Merodach. And he sent emissar-
ies unto the king of Persia, and unto the governor of
Gehalehmot, which was the country of the men who
were afterward the Mound Builders, asking them to
come and help him for to war against the king of
Aegyptus. And Cambeyses the king of Persia arose, .
and collected an hundred thousand men skilled in the
use of the bow and spear, and came quickly, and at the
close of the seventh month of the seige of the great
city of Assyria, and came up and smote the armies of
Aegyptus in the rear. And the great king Ramases
removed thence and camped on the great plain which
is over against the city and the king Merodach came
out of the city, and joined his army with that of the
king of Persia, and marched upon the king of Aegyp-
tus, and when the morrow was come, the battle was
begun on the great plain outside the city. And then
the army of the king of Aegyptus was on this wise:
of soldiers on foot, with spears and bows and battle
axes, an hundred and ninety and four thousands, and
—6—
of chariots seven hundred and fifty, four men besides
horsemen in each, and of battering rams one hundred
and twenty, besides a great amount of armorers, and
cunning workmen in iron and brass.
And the army of king Merodach was an hundred and
forty thousand bow and spear men, besides chariots
and their men, and as the sun rose apace the men of
Persia, and of Assyria, went forth to meet the men of
Aegyptus, and the men of Persia and of Assyria fell
upon the men of Aegyptus, and the battle raged ex-
ceedingly hot, until the going down of the sun, and
neither prevailed, and the slaughter of men that day
was great, and the like thereof has not been seen since
the world began.
And when the morning was come, behold the men of
Persia and of Assyria being mightily refreshed, so that
they arose and fell upon the men of Aegyptus with
great slaughter, so that at the going down of the sun,
the men of Aegyptus fled, and went across the great
river, and the men of Persia and of Assyria could not
follow them by reason of the darkness.
And in the darkness the king of Aegyptus arose with
his army and made haste to go unto the land of
Aegyptus, for he was exceedingly discomfited by rea-
son of the men of Persia and of Assyria.
And the men of Persia and of Assyria arose and
followed him for the space of three moons, over against
the land of Aegyptus.
And the kings Merodach and Cambeyses were
minded to go over unto the land of Aegyptus.
But the King Ramases sent ambassadors, and said,
long live the kings of Persia and Assyria, and let their
—7—
servant the king of Aegyptus entreat them that they
come not into the land, for the people of the land are
not at fault in this matter of the war with my lord the
king. - - -
But the king, even Ramases, and kings Merodach
and Cambeyses consulted together and sent ambassa-
dors unto the king of Aegyptus saying, if the king of
Aegyptus will give the kings of Persia and of Assyria
seven hundred camel loads of gold and of silver, of
precious stones and fine clothes, then give also the
land of Gehalehmot unto them, then will the kings of
Persia and of Assyria return from following after the
king of Aegyptus.
Now the land of Gehalehmot formerly belonged to
the king of Aegyptus but latterly the people were in-
deed free from the king of Aegyptus, and when the
king of Assyria was in sore need and sent unto the gov-
ernor of the land of Gehalehmot, and he would not
help him, lo, the wrath of the king of Assyria was ex-
ceeding hot against the people of Gehalehmot, and he
desired this thing of the king of Aegyptus, that he
might be avenged against the people of Gehaleh-
mot.
Now Algoonah of the land of Gehalehmot was lord
chamberlain to the king of Assyria. s
CHAPTER II.
At the time of the war between the kings of Persia
and of Assyria, and the king of Aegyptus, Algoonah was
lord chamberlain to the king of Assyria, and Algoonah
was of the age of eighteen years. He was comely to
see and of great mind, and he was greatly beloved by
Merodach the king, to that extent, that all matters of
import were submitted unto Algoonah. And there
was nothing hid from Algoonah — not even the secret
thoughts of the king. Now Algoonah was of the an-
cient household of the princes of Gehalehmot, and the
people of the land of Gehalehmot loved and trusted in
him.
The way in which he came unto king Merodach was
as follows: Merodach sent unto the governor of Ge-
halehmot, saying, Grace and peace be unto my lord
Kaiah, governor of Gehalehmot. May my lord the
prince Hive unto the fourth generation. It is in the
mind of the king Merodach to attach to himself fine
favored young men from the neighboring provinces,
to the end that he may find who is worthy of his trust,
and it is further our intention that such young men
who may be found worthy may be nobles in his realm.
Now it has come to our knowledge that there is one
Algoonah, of the ancient line of princes, who is a well
favored lad, one whose mind is well developed. If it
please my lord the governor, let Algoonah, I pray
thee, come and be a member of my household, and
—9—
the friendship of thy servant Merodach will abide with
the people of Gehalehmot.
Now Kaiah called the princes and nobles of the land
of Gehalehmot together, with the parents of Algoonah,
and laid the matter before them. And the princes
and nobles and the people of Gehalehmot, after con-
Sulting together, set up a great shout, saying, The
thing that the king Merodach has proposed is good,
for Algoonah is a young lad of great mind, and it will
be to the good of the people of Gehalehmot to have a
friend in the court of Assyria. *
So Algoonah. with the marshal of Gehalehmot, with
an hundred and forty somahs worth of gold, precious
Stones, and fine ointment, set out for the land of As-
Syria.
Now the land of Gehalehmot was six score and eight
furlongs from the land of Assyria; and the king of
Assyria, was well pleased with the action of the men of
Gehalehmot, and swore unto the chief marshal, saying:
While the sun shines above, and the earth bringeth
forth fruit beneath, will the king Merodach be a friend
to the people of Gehalehmot, and whatsoever thing
the prince of Gehalehmot desireth that will I do.
So the marshal journeyed back unto the land of Ge-
halehmot; and at this time was Algoonah twelve years
of age. The king Merodach appointed from the wise
men and astronomers, and cunning workmen, teachers
for the lad Algoonah ; and he sat at the king’s table,
and whatsoever the king ate of, that also did Algoonah
eat of ; and he grew well favored and excelled in
learning, so that the teachers were confounded and
durst not ask him any questions.
—10—
When Algoonah had arrived at the age of sixteen
years, there was not in all the land of Assyria a man
so wise, and well favored, insomuch the king appointed
him to be lord chamberlain of the great and potent
land of Assyria; and the people of the land of Assyria
loved Algoonah ; for there was a dire and loathsome
pestilence prevailed in the land, and Algoonah pre-
pared remedies of salt and ashes of the furnace, for
the people to anoint themselves withal, for the pestilence
was on the skin of the body, and was very grievous ;
and all the-people were healed.
But Algoonah longed for the land of his fathers,
and he often went into the secret chamber of the
king’s palace and wept. But the king and the people
knew it not. And the king's daughter, Solicia, was
deeply enamored with Algoonah, and the king Mero-
dach was not displeased thereat, but sometimes was
minded to make Algoonah his son.
Now arose the war with the king of Aegyptus, and
when the king followed after Rameses, the king of
Aegyptus, Algoonah went with him ; and he heard the
conferring together of the kings of Persia and of As-
syria, and he heard the king, Merodach, swear to ex-
terminate the men of Gehalehmot from the face of
the earth; and Algoonah was sore distressed, and
when he retired to his tent he waited until the kings
were asleep, and he arose quickly and took Meshuah,
his faithful servant, and horses, and beasts of burden,
and took meal and wine, and grapes, and fine oil, and
spears and swords, and made haste to depart for the
land of Gehalehmot.
And when the morning was come, and the king,
—11—
Merodach, saw that Algoonah had fled, he was
greatly enraged, his former love was turned to
hatred, and he caused this proclamation:
Whosoever bringeth me the head of Algoonah, I
will give him an hundred somahs, and a girdle, and
breast plate of gold. And Jucar was captain of a
host, and Jucar hated Algoonah ; and as the sun rose,
Jucar took forty choice men, and started in pursuit of
Algoonah, and as Algoonah and his servant passed on,
they saw a maid spinning at the door of her house, and
the maid was a soothsayer. And when the maid saw
them she wept bitterly, and she went into the highway,
and said, let my lord the young prince come in with
haste, for the avenger of blood is at his heels. And
Algoonah said, whither shall I go? And the maid said,
let the prince’s servant take the beasts to yonder wood,
and let my lord the prince enter thy servant's dwelling.
And he did as she desired. And the maid cast flax
across the door, and Jucar came apace, and the maid
spun and was singing, and Jucar came up and said,
Hast thou seen a young man pass here. She answered
and said, Even so my lord, on the third hour of the
morning he passed the house in great haste: and Jucar
said Thou liest; lo, he is hid in thy dwelling, and he de-
scended from his horse and made as if he would enter,
and when he came in the door, the flax came around
him, and the flax bound him about and entered the
sinews of his flesh and he fell roaring. And the men
who were with Jucar fled in great alarm, and when
Algoonah saw the plight in which Jucar lay, his soul
kindled within him, and he came forth and smote
Jucar in the groin, and Jucar yelled out and died, and
the maid said, Thine enemy is dead, thou canst pursue
—12–
thy journey in safety. But I pray thee, let me make
thee a loaf and kill a goat of the fattest, for the day is
far spent and thou art weary; and Algoonah said, So
be it ; and the maid sent a servant and called the ser-
vant of Algoonah, and he tarried there until the morn-
ing. And when the sun had arose, and the morning
drew on, Algoonah said, I must leave thee. And the
maid said Not so; wherever thougoest, I will go. And
I will never leave thee. And it pleased Algoonah,
and he said, So let it be ; and the maid was of the fairest
in all the land, goodly to look upon, and fair to behold.
So the maid was betrothed to Algoonah, and she took
a beast and rode thereon, and left her father and
mother and went with him.
CHAPTER III.
And Algoonah hastened unto his own country, even
the land of Gehalehmot. And the servants of Atomea,
the wife of Algoonah to the number of fourteen went
with them, and the father of Atomea was an husband-
man, and the journey of Algoonah was by way of the
desert as thou goest down into Arabia, and the journey
was of the duration of three moons and a half.
So Algoonah came unto the land of Gehalehmot, and
he came quickly unto Kaiah the governor, and laid the
matter before him, and Kaiah called the chief men of
the nation together and said, The kings of Persia
and of Assyria march unto the land of Gehalehmot
for to destroy it.
And the manner of the people was to determine
matters of great import in public assembly. And
Kaiah called the nobles of the people to order, and
said, The kings of Assyria and Persia march unto the
land of Gelalehmot for to destroy it from the face of
the earth, and the wise men and the chief men and the
nobles after they had heard this, they set up a great
lamentation, saying, Woe, unto the people and the
land of Gehalehmot, and they were as foolish men.
So Algoonah stood up in the midst of them and
lifted up his voice and said, Ye men of the ancient
and honorable land of Gehalehmot, why have
ye become as children? Lo, the way of the
–14–
mountains is open unto us, and the men of Assyria
cannot follow us thither; it is even so that the
wrath of the Great King Merodach is exceeding hot
against us and he will not leave a man living in all this
land. Let us depart unto the mountains.
Now the people of Gehalehmot were shepherds and
tillers of the soil, and their flocks and herds were
exceeding great, insomuch that the hills and valleys
were covered with them, for the land of Gehalehmot
was in the mountains; and the time of the year was
two months after the sheep cast their young. And
Kaiah said unto Algoonah, Thou art wise above all the
men of Gehalehmot, take I pray thee the lead and
guidance of this people. But Algoonah said Not so,
lo, thou art the leader and ruler of this people, and thy
servant is but a boy. Nevertheless, I would advise
thee that thou call a meeting of the chief men of the
land, and take measures to avoid the king Merodach,
for he will do as he has sworn unto us. And Kaiah
made proclamation and sent criers through the land,
saying: Let all the chief men and people, and nobles
and high captains, meet at the great temple of the sun,
in the chief city of the land of Gehalehmot, to con-
'sider what to do in the matter of the invasion of our
land by the kings of Persia and of Assyria. And all
the people of the land came quickly together, and the
people were in great fear and sorrow. And Raiah
caused the golden trumpet to sound, and there was
silence through all the people, and Algoonah stood up
and said:
Hear all ye men of Gehalehmot: The land that you
see around us from the mountains even unto the great
river of the South, and from the plains unto the sea,
—15—
is it not the land of the people of Gehalehmot? Our
fathers have possessed this land from the beginning,
and we have done no hurt to any man, and the poor
and outcast of all lands have come to us and we have
made them our brothers. And the blood of not even
one man rests upon any one of you. And the graves
of our fathers are in this land, and the scenes of pleas-
ure we have enjoyed are associated with these hills and
valleys. And we love this the land of our birth, and
we would freely die for it, for next to the mother that
nursed him doth a man love his country. O, fair land
of Gehalehmot, land of our birth and home of our
older years, much as we love thee we must depart
hence, for we are not a warlike people and our hands
have never held the sword or battle-axe, and we can
not meet the kings of Assyria and of Persia. O, ye
men of Gehalehmot, be strong, and do not let your
hearts die within you, for did not the king Merodach
swear eternal friendship unto you? nevertheless he will
do as he has sworn to do, even exterminate you from
the face of the earth. -
Now it is well known that when the king Hykos
of Aegyptus did faint with all his people for want of
bread, in the 600th age,that our fathers did send an hun-
dred score lahs weight of corn to the suffering and dy-
ing people of Aegyptus. And the king of Aegyptus
is our friend unto the latest generation. And when
king Merodach sent unto us, how could we go, even
if we were men of war, and war against the king of
Aegyptus? -
And when Algoonah had made an end of speaking
the people set up a great noise of shouting, and trum-
pets, and brazen instruments. And the people said
—16—
Long live Algoonah, the hope and life of all the
people.
And Kaiah commanded that the golden trumpet
blow, which was a sign for all the people to be silent,
and immediately there was silence among the peo-
ple. -
And Algoonah said further, Let the governor Kaiah
be made Ring over all the people, for the people must
have a leader with great power, and let there be cap-
tains of hundreds and captains of thousands and cap-
tains of ten thousands set over all the people, and let
the movements of the people be under the direction of
the king Kaiah ; and there was a mighty shout as of the
Sound of great thunder, saying, Long live king Kaiah.
And Kaiah commanded that the golden trumpet blow,
and there was silence, and Kaiah commanded Algoonah
to speak on. And Algoonah said further, And let the
people take their flocks and herds, and their wives and
little ones, and go into the hill country that is over
against the mountains, and let them remain there until
the wrath of the kings of Assyria and of Persia is ap-
peased, for the soldiers of Assyria cannot travel in the
mountain country with their chariots and horses.
And let the people move with haste, but not unseem-
ly, for it will be many days before the king of Assyria
can reach us.
And when Algoonah had made an end of speaking,
the old Patriarch of the people, who was of the age of
an hundred and four score years, stood up and took a
horn of clear oil, pure and fine, and said.
As this oil is poured out before the king Kaiah, so
shall the enemies of this people and their designs come
to naught. And he took a robe of blue silk and fine
—17—
cotton and laid it on Kaiah’s shoulders, and he took a
golden trumpet and blew long and loud, and said, Long
live Kaiah, the king of the people of Gahalehmot,
and the people said, Long live our great and mighty
king.
And immediately the spirit of power came on Kaiah,
and he arose and said, Peace be with you my people.
Let every man go to his place and make haste and get
him to the city of Laheiah which is on the borders of
the land of Gehalemot, over against the hill country.
And the people gave a great shout and every man went
to his place as the king commanded.
Now Kaiah was the first king ever in the land, for the
people of Gohalehmot were a simple and childlike peo-
ple, and every man did right; and the government of
the land was with the governor and the older men of
the land.
Now when Merodach the king of Assyria, and Cam-
beyses the king of Persia, received the bounty from
the hand of the king of Aegyptus, the king of Persia
turned aside into his own land, first beseeching the king
Merodach not to do hurt to the people of the land of
Gehalehmot. -
But the evil-spirit of blood, and carnage, and desola-
tion, had taken possession of King Merodach, and he
swore vehemently that the men of Gehalehmot should
not abide on the earth, and he got him up with his chief
captains, and his army, and came in haste into the land
of Assyria, and making great preparations he went forth
unto the land of Gehalehmot; and the land of Gehaleh-
mot was distant six score and eight furlongs from the
borders of Assyria, and each furlong was one thousand
English rods.
—18—
And when the army of king Merodach came unto the
great river of Gehalehmot, lo, the waters were very
great, on account of the melting of the snow, for it
was in the time of the yearning of lambs, and he could
not pass over.
CHAPTER IV.
Now it came to pass that every man hastened unto
his own place as Kaiah, the king, had commanded ; and
the people came to the city of Laheiah, which is on the
borders of the land of Gehalehmot, over against the hill
country, opposite the land of Assyria and farthest dis-
tant therefrom, and in the time of the summer rains
were all the people collected together. And Kaiah, the
king, commanded that there be captains chosen of
hundreds, of thousands, of tens of thousands, and it
was done. And Algoonah came unto the king, and
said, Cause I pray thee, that there be cunning
workmen chosen who may be commanded to make
arms for the people, even bows and spears, and battle
axes, and chariots for the archers and spear men to
ride in, And Kaiah said, Behold, thou art the wisest
among all the people, that even I, the king, am fain to
learn of thee; thou art general-in-chief of the people;
go forth, and do as seemeth good to thee.
Now there was among the people a cunning work-
man who was named Rinar, and Kinar was of the arti-
Zans, and he could make whatever he was minded, and
he was twenty-two years old; and Algoonah sought
out Kinar and laid before him the matter of making
arms for the men of Gehalehmot; and Kinar said,
whatsoever thou commandest that will thy servant do,
and give me, I pray thee, an hundred score men, able
and strong, to assist me; and Algoonah caused the
—20—
men to be selected, and Kinar went unto the mountains
and brought out iron, brass and lead, and he made
great furnaces, and the smoke thereof covered all the
land; and he wrought instruments of iron, and arrows
of brass, and he felled trees, and made chariots such
as never before were seen on earth. And Kinar came
unto where the king sat, and bowed himself, and said,
may my great king pardon his servant for coming into
his presence unasked ; and Kinar remained bowed to
the floor, and Kaiah Smiled upon him and said, arise
and speak what is in thy mind. And Kinar opened his
mouth and spake, saying, Let my potent master, the
king, command that this the city Laheiah be surrounded
with a wall strong and high, and if the king of Assyria
come upon us, we can easily defend ourselves. And it
pleased the king exceedingly, and he said, Go, my
son, do as thou seest proper. And Kinar bowed him-
self and went forth.
Now Kinar had made cunning instruments of iron,
and machines for throwing stones and for shooting
large arrows, like unto the beams of a house; even
more than this did he do. And the king desired to go
forth and view the armament which Kinar had made ;
and the king rode in a chariot, and Algoonah was at
his side; and the king wore an helmet and a breast-
plate of gold, and his dress was of blue silk; and Al-
goonah had instructed the people in martial order,
even as he had seen in the army of king Merodach ;
and they stood in hundreds, and in thousands, and in
tens of thousands; and the king rode between the
wings of the army, and he descended from the chariot
and rode upon a great black horse, and such a horse
had no rival in all the land. -
—21—
And Algoonah was commander of all the armies, and
he blew a trumpet and the army was turned about, and
the spears shone like stars for multitude; and when the
king rode before the people, there arose a shout like
as when the sea is lashed by a mighty tempest, and
then arose a mighty shout among the people, saying,
Lead us, we pray thee, against the king of Assyria.
And the king caused them to draw near unto him,
and he said, Not now, my children, the winter draweth
on apace; for the time of the falling of snow was then
at hand. -
Now the number of the people of Gehalehmot was
as follows: Of shepherds, an hundred and ten thous-
and, seven score and eighty men, women and children;
and of those who were husbandmen, an hundred and fifty
thousand men, women and children; and of those who
lived in the cities, an hundred and two score and ten
thousand men women and children ; and of those who
delved in the mountains, six score men. And the people
lived among the hills and valleys over against the city
of Laheiah, for the pasturage was good there, and the
men had built them houses, and brought a great
amount of corn and wine and things of the land, for
the people of the land of Gehalehmot were very rich ;
and they brought all the stuff from out the land, for
the armies of the king of Assyria had not entered the
land; and when the people had left the land, Algoonah
caused young men fleet of foot and strong, to stay in
the borders of the land, to give warning of the ap-
proach of the army of the king of Assyria.
So the people were gathered together about the city
of Laheiah ; and the king called Algoonah for a private
conference, and the king said, I am minded to return
—22—
unto the land and possess it. But Algoonah said, Not
So my lord the king. Thy people have never been in
war and know not the manner of fighting, and lo, the
armies of the king of Assyria are exceeding brave and
full of courage, being a long time in war, and they will
fall upon thee, and thy people will be scattered, and
fall in the valleys and hills; here we are secure, for thy
servant Kinar buildeth a wall strong and high around
the city; and furthermore, the men of Assyria cannot
come unto us, for the winter approacheth, and they are
men that belong unto the warm countries of the plain
which is by the great river, even the great river of the
land of Assyria. And the king saw that what Algoonah
said was good. Algoonah said further, Let my lord
the king command that a council of the wise
men and the aged men of the people be called, and let
them prepare laws and regulations of the people; and
the king said it is well, and he caused proclamation to
be made as follows:
Let all the people hearken. It is the will of the king
Kaiah that the people meet together and choose men
of age and wisdom for to frame laws and regulations
whereby we may better govern the people, and let
every thousand men select one. And it was done as
the king commanded; and the king sent forth criers
again and commanded that those who had been selected
meet in the city of Laheiah, where the king dwelt;
and those who were selected, to the number of two
score and five, met in the temple of the people of La-
heiah ; and Kinar had made a throne of ivory and Satin
wood and gold and precious stones for the king to sit
upon. And the king caused the trumpet of gold to
—23–
blow, and there was silence; and the herald lifted up
his voice and said: . gº
Let the council and people of Gehalehmot hearken
unto what the great king saith. And the trumpets and
brazen instruments sounded; after which Kaiah rose
on his throne and said:
Peace be unto you. It is the desire of the king that
this council make laws suitable for the government of
the people, and first it is necessary that there be a
leader for the council. It is not seemly for the king
to be one of the council, so choose one of your own
number for a leader.
And when the king had ceased speaking the men of
the grand council bowed themselves and said, It is good
what the king saith. And Havillah rose and said,
what man among all the men of Gehalehmot is more
suitable for leader of the grand council than Algoonah?
And immediately all the people and the men of the
grand council cried out, Long live Algoonah. And the
king commanded that the golden trumpet blow, so
there was silence.
So Algoonah was made leader and chief man of the
grand council. When the council met, Kaiah the king
commanded that Algoonah sit upon the throne made
by Kinar. And Algoonah sat thereon, and when the
council were gathered together, Algoonah commanded
that there be silence, and he said, Ye men who rep-
resent the people of Gehalehmot, ye have been chosen
on account of your age and wisdom, see that the laws
ye make be such as will result in the good of all the
people; for the people of Gehalehmot are to be a
renowned nation, and what ye do in this council will
affect the people of the world through all coming time.
—24—
Now we are a simple people, having tilled the earth
and tended our flocks and herds, and have never been
in war, and so our hands are not skilled in battle. We
must be able to meet the men of the world in battle ;
so let our laws not only be just and merciful, but very
strict in all our dealings with other nations. And
much more did Algoonah say which will appear in due
time. *
And when the king of Assyria hastened to come
unto the land of Gehalehmot, as was before related,.
when he came unto the great river of the people of
Gehalehmot, the waters were swollen greatly, on account
of the melting of the snow among the mountains ; and
at the time of the earing of the wheat the waters sub-
sided, and the king of Assyria made himself ready to
cross into the country with his army. And on a cer-
tain day as the evening came on, there came great
swarms of flies, very large and of a green color, and
the flies bit the horses of the king’s army so shrewdly
that the men lost all control of them, and the horses
fled across the plain unto the land of Assyria. And
there was not left a horse in all the army of the king
Merodach, and he was exceeding angry; and he swore
by the gods of his fathers that the land of Gehalehmot
should be utterly desolate, and he sent chosen men, who
brought asses, that peradventure he might return and
make other preparations for to overrun the land of
Gehalehmot. Now the men of Gehalehmot knew of
the flies that live on the waters of the great river.
CHAPTER V.
*mºs
When the messengers whom the king, Merodach,
had sent down unto the land of Assyria had come unto
the chief city, they laid tribute upon the people for
asses and for oxen to bring the king and the merchan-
dise of the army back unto the great city of Assyria.
And of asses they levied an hundred score, and of
oxen two hundred score, for the king had charged
them to bring no more horses unto the place of the
flies. And the messengers returned with the asses
and the oxen, and the king left men to guard the mer-
chandise and chariots which they were unable to bring
away, intending to return and bring away the residue.
And the king's chariot was drawn by oxen, and he had
a youth who was of a humorous disposition, to make
merry for him when he was sad, and the youth was
called Guyges, and as he passed by he cried out—
Lol the great king rideth in a chariot of oxen; in-
tending thereby to make the king merry, for he saw
that the king was heavy of spirit. And the anger of
the king was kindled against Guyges, and he arose in
his chariot and hurled a javelin at Guyges, and in his
anger he threw awry, and the javelin missed him, and
Guyges arose and fled in great haste, and the king
commanded that he be slain instantly.
But the soldiers made as if they would pursue him,
but he escaped and came into the land of Gehalehmot,
and he came unto the messengers of the king, Kaiah;
—26—
and he was brought unto the king, and Kaiah said
unto him, Whence comest thou, my son? And Guy-
ges bowed himself unto the floor, and told him, and
he was taken into the nation and became a notable
man, as we shall see. And Guyges was at that time
fifteen years old.
And king Merodach came unto his own land; and
the year was so far spent, that he deemed it best not
to fall upon the land of Gehalehmot that year, especi-
ally as his young men, who had spied out the country,
told him that the people had removed unto the moun-
tains. -
But the anger of king Merodach waxed hotter than
ever, albeit he could not sleep upon his bed at night,
thinking how he might come unto the men of Gehal-
ehmot.
And the great council was in session continually
until the time of the mid-winter feasts; and the peo-
ple had plenty of food and houses to dwell in. And
Kinar made many curious things for war, and house-
hold convenience. -
And it came to pass that at the time of the mid-
winter feasts, the yellow men who lived beyond
the mountains, happened to come over to plunder and
kill, for they were of an evil and murderous carriage,
but had never come over that way before. And of a
Sudden they fell upon the men who were farthest on
the mountains and began to shoot at them with arrows
and spears, and the men fled in great disorder. And
a messenger came quickly unto Algoonah in the coun-
cil and told him, and his spirit burned within him, and
he called unto the chief captains, saying, make ready
in haste a thousand horsemen to pursue and drive out
—27–
the robbers, even the yellow men, for it was known that
such men lived over against the great desert which is
among the mountains. And the horsemen were quickly
made ready, and Algoonah took him a bow with arrows,
and a spear, and a sword which for sharpness was
never equalled. And when the morning was come, Al-
goonah rode forth toward where the yellow men were,
and they were not expecting resistance. And Al-
goonah fell upon them as they were eating, and
he smote them vehemently, so that there were many
slain; and the yellow men fled in great confusion, and
tarried not until they came into their own country, and
for many years they durst not come by way of the
mountains over into the land of Gehalehmot.
And Algoonah returned unto the city, and in this
there were none of the men of Gehalehmot injured.
And the work of the grand council was brought to
an end ; and on a day appointed the people were as-
sembled to hear the laws and regulations made by the
grand council.
And Kaiah, the king, sat upon the thfone made for
him by Kinar, and the king caused a herald to stand
forth and make proclamation, and the herald lifted up
his voice and said:
Hear all ye people and men of Gehalehmot.
It hath seemed good to our most gracious and pot-
ent king, to cause men of age and wisdom to be selected
from among the people, for to frame laws and regu-
lations for the better government of the people, and
also to regulate matters that may arise among the peo-
ple, and among other nations.
Hear ye therefore while I read unto you what the
council hath written.
—28–
And the laws were written upon the skins of goats
fine and white. And the herald read unto the
people. - - -
Now the laws and regulations were divided into three
great divisions. - --
First : The relations sustained between the king and
the people.
Second : The relations of the people to each other.
Third : The relations of the people with other na-
tions.
"And the first division was after this manner:
The king is supreme in all the land; whatever he
saith shall be done. And the men of Gehalehmot never
loose their allegiance unto the king. And if one of
the men of Gehalehmot depart unto another land, the
king of Gehalehmot must protect him,save in murder or
robbery of any kind; and the men of Gehalehmot can-
not enter into any treaty or union or alliance with any
other people, save by consent of the king.
And the king of Gehalehmot is responsible unto the
people Save only in the matter of needless and expen-
sive war. And in small matters the people will not
trouble the king, but refer the matter unto the magis-
trates; and there cannot be a man slain for punishment
except the king consent; and it must always be con-
sidered that the king can do no wrong, for if he doeth
wrong, he is not doing as the king should do.
And if the king command a man to do a reason-
able and possible thing, and he doeth it not, then
that man shall be cast out from among the people.
The king is king, first by the will of the people, and
this can never be taken from the king. And when the
king chooseth, he may call a grand council of all the
–29
people, to determine matters of grave import; and when
the king seeth proper, he may select from among the
men of Gehalehmot, who shall be king when he dieth.
And if one so selected shall die, then shall he make
another selection, and when the ruling king dieth, then
shall the Patriarch, or oldest man of the people, pour
out an horn of fine and pure oil before him, and cast
upon his shoulders the blue robe of Kaiah, and set a
golden crown upon his head, and in the presence of all
the people proclaim him to be king; and from that
time he shall be the king of all the people of Gehaleh-
mot; and he shall, sit upon the throne of Kaiah and
shall rule the people.
Every one who is born of the people of Gehalehmot,
who is of sound mind and body, shall, when he arriveth
at the age of fourteen years, be free, except in his al-
legiance unto the king. And every man child shall be
subject unto the commands of the commander-in-chief
of the army of Gehalehmot, except he serve in the
armies in time of peace only, for the space of two
years. * -
And in time of war, the commander-in-chief of the
armies may call upon all men of Gehaleh mot, save one
of a household ; and the whole people shall be taught
the use of the bow and spear, and of the management
of horses. And if a man shall be slain in the army,
then shall the king of Gehalehmot pay unto his father,
or his mother, or his wife, an hundred somahs. And
every man’s cattle, and his sheep, and his horses, and
his clothes, and his corn, and his oil, be his own, save in
desperate emergency of the whole people, and then it
may be taken, but he must receive it back from the
king. And if a man detain any merchandise, or animals,
º
—30—
or other stuff, from any other of the people of Gehaleh-
mot, he shall be caused to restore unto him who hath
been wronged, two fold. -
And if anyone take out from his neighbor’s house or
enclosure, by stealth, anything of value whatsoever,
then shall the man be cast out from among the peo-
ple.
And whoso taketh the life of his fellow, shall surely
be put to death, in presence of the people ; and who
plotteth against the king, shall be put to death also.
And whoso setteth on fire his neighbor’s house, shall be
put to death.
And all the men of Gehalehmot shall be the husband
of a wife; and if any one cometh unto the age of
twenty-two years and hath not taken a wife, he shall
be brought unto a magistrate, and he shall be made to
show cause why he hath not.
And all matters of small import shall be left to the
magistrates; but anything of great or serious import
shall be left to the judgment of the king. And if any
magistrate do that which is not just, then shall that
matter be laid before the king; and from the decision
of the king there shall be no appeal; and if a. magis-
trate be unjust, he shall be required to restore unto
the man wronged, and be cast out of his place; and all
the people shall be required to pay unto the magistrates
of their substance, to sustain the magistrates, and the
army, as well as the king.
And the people of Gehalehmot must deal justly with
other nations; and if a man of Gehalehmot rob or
otherwise injures any man of any other nation, and it
shall be determined by a magistrate that he be guilty,
—31—
then shall he be sent into that nation, to be dealt with
according to their customs.
And if the men of any other land invade the land of
Gehalehmot, and the king or ruler of the land will not
make treaty, then shall the king of Gehalehmot call
out the armies of Gehalehmot, and march upon that
people and war against them. And if the king of Ge-
halehmot hear of any nation designing war upon the
people thereon, he shall make ready for war; and the
king and people shall have, as near as possible,
peace with all men, and not go to battle to help other
nations, except as occasion may demand for the peace
and welfare of the people.
Now all the laws as then written, behold it is very
lengthy, and there was nothing of any import but what
it treated upon. -
And when the heralds had ceased reading, the people
bowed themselves before Kaiah, and said, This is
very good, and we will be governed by these laws and -
regulations.
CHAPTER WI.
Now when the king of Assyria had returned unto his
own country, he called all the nobles and great cap-
tains together for to hear the words of the history of
all the kings who had been before him, and which was
the custom of all the kings from the beginning.
And when the king had seated himself he com-
manded that the scribes and heralds should read from
the great book of records of all the kings of Assyria.
And when the great book was opened they read that
how in the beginning Ninus had founded the great city
of the Assyrians; and the heart of the king Merodach
was filled with pride and puffed up with vanity. And
he commanded that there be read the history of his own
reign ; and they did so. And the heralds read, that
when Algoonah was brought up from the land of Ge-
halehmot, the king Merodach had sworn to be a
friend to the people of Gehalehmot unto the latest
generations. 4.
And when the king heard that, he turned pale, and
his knees smote together for rage. And he ordered
the scribe to cease, and he commanded that the assem-
bly be disbanded, and that every one enter unto his
own place.
And he set about immediately to organize his army
at once for the invasion of the land of Gehalehmot.
Now Algoonah had sent one Servinus, a man of
shrewd parts, unto the land of Assyria; and Servinus
—33—
could speak the language of the Assyrians perfectly,
for he abode in that land as shepherd unto one of the
mighty men of Assyria. And Algoonah said unto Ser-
vinus, go up unto the land of Assyria, and spy out
what the king doeth, and bring me word again.
And Servinus went unto the land of Assyria at the
time of the falling of the leaves, and he came unto Pos-
timar, who was gate-keeper to the king ; and Postimar
said, Who art thou? and Servinus said, I am of the lower
country, and behold, my flocks and herds die, by rea-
son of the failure of grass; and I have come up thither
for to get employment. -
And Postimar said, What canst thou do?
And he said, I am an expert in the management of
horses.
And Postimar said, Lo ! the king desireth a man
skilled in the management of horses, for to take charge
of the king’s chariot horses; come unto me at the fourth
hour to-night, and I will see the lord of the armament
for thee.
So Servinus came ; and the gate-keeper said, The lord
of the armament desireth to see thee first, and talk with
thee; and Servinus went unto the lord of the arma-
ment. And Servinus was of a cunning and deceitful
countenance. And he could moreover put on a pleas-
ing face. And when he was come into the presence of
the lord, he bowed and worshipped him ; and the lord
said unto him, Whence comest thou? and Servinus
answered and said, From below. And the lord asked
him if he could manage and care for horses, and Ser-
vinus said, Yea, my lord ; and the lord commanded the
master of the king’s stable to have him in, and see if he
told the truth.
*
—34——
Now it happened that since the horses had been bit-
ten by the flies, no man could lay harness upon them,
and they did kick most violently, so that the servants
of the king's stable had been sorely maimed and when
Servinus had entered unto the stables, the master com-
manded that he should lay the harness upon the black
horses of the king.
Now Servinus had been told by a lad who was there,
of the actions of the horses, and the cause thereof, and
he had prepared gums and spices which were in the
hem of his robe; and when he went in, the horses
smelled of the gums and spices, and suffered him to
cast the harness upon them ; and he was commanded to
drive through the street in the king’s chariot; and he
did so ; and it was told the king, behold a man is found
who can manage the king's horses; and the king was
greatly pleased thereat, and he commanded that the
chariot be made ready so that he could ride, and in
this manner did Servinus become one of the king’s
household. And he remembered all he had heard ; and
when the king caused the scribes and heralds to read
from the book of records, Servinus was there and
listened. -
And the laws which the grand council of the people
of Gehalehmot made, were written upon goat skins;
and they were laid away among the king’s treasures,
for the people of Gehalehmot were very rich.
And the winter wore on apace; and the king Kaiah,
sent for Algoonah, and said, When the spring returneth,
shall we return unto the land of Gehalehmot for to
possess it? • ,
And Algoonah said, Not so, my lord the king, for the
—35–
anger of the king Merodach is still, hot against us,
and we cannot meet him.
Now Kinar had builded a wall, strong and high,
around the city of Laheiah ; and the measure of the wall
was one furlong on a side, and it was four square, and
there were three great gates on a side; and at night
there were great bars of iron and brass, cast across the
gates; and there were ditches full of water round about
the walls; and there were bridges over the ditches be-
fore the gates; and the bridges were so made that the
men of the city could pull them in. And Kinar did all
this and more, for there were towers for the men to
shoot from, over against the gates.
Now when the spring was fully come, on a certain
day it was told Algoonah, Behold a man strangely
dressed cometh in haste; and he was brought unto Al-
goonah, and unto king Kaiah,and when he had entered,
Algoonah saw that it was Servinus, whom he had sent
down into the land of Assyria; and he came in unto
Algoonah and unto king Kaiah ; and Algoonah said,
What news my son? and Servinus said, The king of
Assyria cometh, with an hundred and forty thousand
IQ62I] .
And Kaiah said, Command that the army march
against him ; and Algoonah replied, Not so, my lord
the king, he will defeat us with great slaughter. Then
said Raiah, What had we better do? And Algoonah
said, Let every fourth man move over into the hill
country, and let them take the wives and the little
ones, the flocks and the herds of the residue of the
people ; and let forty thousand chosen men stay here
and hold the city, for we cannot lose the stuff and the
merchandise which is in the city. Now the people had
—36—
much corn, and wine, and oil, and other provisions, and
cloths; and merchandise laid up in the city of Laheiah ;
so part of the men came away from the city and
moved back unto the hill country; and the rest, to the
number of forty thousand, who were well armed, stayed
in the city of Laheiah. Now when the wives and little
ones of those who stayed came to leave, such lamenta-
tion and sorrow never have been heard unto this day.
And the king of Assyria came over the great river
of the land of Gehalehmot, for the time of high water
and of flies was not yet ; and the young men of Algoonah
he drove before him unto the hill country which is over
against the city of Laheiah.
And when the king Merodach saw no one save the
young men who gave the alarm, and no cattle and no
flocks and herds, he marveled greatly; and he called
an hundred chosen men, and said, Go, spy out the peo-
ple of the land of Gehalehmot, and bring me word
where they are ; and the chosen men followed the spies
of Algoonah, until they came unto the city of Laheiah.
And they came back, and told the king Merodach, and
they said, We saw a strong city, walled strong and high,
and towers for archers, and we saw further many
armed men ; and behold this strong city is among the
hills, where there is much snow ; and thy servants think
not that we can come thither.
And the king, when he heard what the messengers
told him, was very angry; and he commanded that the
army move apace on that city.
And when the army of king Merodach came unto
the hills, where there was snow, he could go no further
with his horses and chariots; and he left his horses and
–37—
chariots, and commanded that Algoan, his chief man
of war, should take a hundred thousand men and go
up and take the city.
So the army of king Merodach came up, and en-
camped against the city of Laheiah ; and the men of
Assyria were of a warm country, and when they came
unto the city of Laheiah,they were taken sick of a dire
disease, and their necks swelled up, and there was not
a sound man in the army of king Merodach. And Ser-
vinus had been with the army of Assyria; and when he
he heard this he came and told Algoonah, and he came
in the night; and when the morning was come, Algoo-
nah took the trumpet and the ensign of the people, and
he blew the trumpet, and called out the men of Geha-
lehmot with their arms; and they fell upon the men of
Assyria. Now the men of Assyria were of a very
brave and courageous disposition; and when the army
of Gehalehmot marched out upon them, they formed
in line to meet them ; and the chief captain sounded
the trumpet, and the army of Assyria marched down
to meet the men of Gehalehmot. The king staid back
in the land of Gehalehmot, a distance of four-score fur-
longs; and he had fifty thousand chosen men.
So there was battle between the men of Assyria and
the men of Gehalehmot. And Algoonah rode in front of
the people; and he had a golden helmet on his head,
and a sword of fine iron in his hand, and he led the
army against the hosts of Assyria. And the men of
Assyria were encamped in the valley which is over
against the city of Laheiah ; and the battle was begun
at the rising of the sun. And Algoonah had caused
proclamation to be made, saying:
—38—
Fear not to shed blood this day, for behold the men
of Assyria have no cause to war against us, but let
every man be strong and of good courage, and let him
remember his wife and little ones, and let him remem-
ber the fair land of Gehalehmot.
So they fell to battle, and the fighting was exceed-
ing sore, even to the going down of the sun ; and the
army of Assyria did not fight well, on account of the
disease of their throats. -
Nevertheless, the men of Gehalehmot prevailed not
at the going down of the sun, and of the men of Ge-
halehmot there fell that day an hundred and two score,
but of the men of Assyria there fell six thousand; And
when the night was come Algoonah returned unto the
city, and drew in the bridges; and there was much sor-
row in the city of Laheiah, on account of the men who
had fallen.
When the morning was come, Algoonah lifted him-
self up and got him upon his horse, and came forth to
meet the men of Assyria. And the spirit of Algoonah
burned within him ; and he smote the men of Assyria
right and left, and the men of Assyria fled by way of
the plain. And an archer of the army of Assyria
smote Algoonah on the buckles of his armor, and he
fell from his horse ; and the men of Gehalehmot, when
they perceived that Algoonah had fallen, returned from
pursuing the men of Assyria; and they found not Al-
goonah when the evening was come, for he was lying
in a heap of those who were slain, for the body guard
of Algoonah had contended strongly around him.
Now Algoonah was smote in the temple, but not
killed, but the strength of life had left him ; and it
was told Kaiah, Behold, Algoonah lieth slain on the
—39—
field. And Kaiah laid aside his raiment, and put on
mourning, and went forth with two lads who bore a
torch; and Kaiah wept bitterly as he went along; and
he came over against the place where Algoonah lay,
and he set up a great lamentation, saying:
O, how can the people of Gehalehmot spare thee?
thou life and strength of all the nation How is the
- strong and mighty cut down, and the aged and useless
spared -
And Kaiah rent his hair, and made loud lamentations.
And Algoonah had come to himself, but could not get
up on account of the men who were upon him ; and his
reason returned, and he heard the king lamenting, and
he lifted up his voice, and said: w
O, king Kaiah, live a thousand years l and may thy
people be a strong and mighty nation; and may the
widows and orphans of this day be speedily comforted.
Thy servant, Algoonah, still liveth; cause, I pray thee,
some one to come and remove me hence.
And Raiah ran in haste, and drew him forth, and
kissed him, and wept upon him a long while ; and they
brought Algoonah in haste unto the city. And when they
had examined him, they found that his head was still
sound, and that no great damage befell him, and Kaiah
commanded that the dead, both of Assyria and of Ge-
halehmot, be buried in the plain which is over against
the city of Laheiah.
Now the remnant of the army of Assyria came unto
the place where king Merodach was, and they were
sore discomfited because of the men of Gehalehmot,
and of the disease in their necks. And the king was
beside himself with rage; and he commanded that
the general and chief captains be put to death; and it
—40—
was done. Nevertheless, the king saw that it was not
expedient to go up against the city of Laheiah until
the summer was come ; and he left Shalmanezer, his
son, in command of the army; and he returned with
ten thousand men to his own land, saying:
I will send you up quickly more men than there are
stars in the heavens; and we will utterly demolish these
people from the face of the earth.
And he got him in haste unto the land of Assyria.
Now Shalmanezer had hated Algoonah, when he was
in his father's house; and he longed to destroy him and
the people of Gehalehmot, even as his father did ; and
he had told the king Merodach, Behold, the fellow whom
ye brought up from this cursed land, see what trouble
he causeth thee.
And the time of summer came on, and the armies
which king Merodach had raised, came and encamped
with Shalmanezer; and the army of Shalmanezer now
numbered three hundred and ninety thousand men, be-
sides horses and chariots. - -
So it was told unto Kaiah, Behold the armies of
Assyria come unto the land, like unto the stars of
heaven for multitude, and chariots and horses without
number.
And Kaiah called the grand council; and Algoonah
had recovered from his hurt, and he stood up and
said:
Lo, it is as I told thee. Know I not the King of
Assyria and his son? Let us hasten and leave this the
city of Laheiah, and go unto the other side of the
mountain country, even unto the great river of the
yellow men, for the yellow men lived an hundred score
furlongs up the river.
—41—
And the men of Gehalehmot were much depressed;
, but they saw the truth of what Algoonah said; and
they said, Let our king do as seemeth best.
So they made ready ; and they sent unto those who
had taken the flocks and herds, and brought animals
and laid stuff thereon ; and all the people left the city
of Laheiah, and come over the hill country unto the
great river of the yellow men. And when the time of
the singing of birds was come, all the men of Gehaleh-
mot came unto where the flocks and herds, and the
women and children were, and the people camped there
for the space of three days; and there was great lam-
entation on account of those who had fallen in the
battle with the men of Assyria.
And Kaiah called all the people together; and he
took off his kingly robe, and threw dust on his head,
and lifted up his voice in great weeping. And when he
had wept along while,he spake unto the people, and said:
Ye people of Gehalehmot: This is indeed a sad
day. Lo! I look around me, and see there is a great
sorrow. We shall come together, and many faces will
appear among us no more. They are fallen, their
bodies were cast between you helpless women and
children, and the darts of Assyria pierced them.
How are the brave sunk to dust, to arise no more for-
ever. The years shall come and go, rain shall come
in its season, and the leaves shall shoot forth ; but the
brave and loved of earth rise no more. But they
are not dead. Lo, they go before us. They whisper
words of comfort to our afflicted hearts, and bid us weep
no more. O loved ones who have fallen, weeping over-
cometh us; but we feel our hearts lifted up with joy to
think ye have fallen in the noblest mannerfor man to die.
CHAPTER VII.
And it came to pass that the men of Gehalehmot
Came Over unto the river of the north, even the river
that runs through the land of the yellow men, and they
went seven days journey down the river, and encamped
in a valley where there was much grass, and they remain-
ed there until after the animals had cast their young;
and Kaiah gave command after the end of the fourth
month that the people prepare to go forward; and they
journeyed along the river for the space of three
months, and they came unto the land of Mozman, and
word was brought unto the king of Mozman, saying:
Behold, there cometh unto our land a strange people
with their flocks and their herds, and their wives and
their little ones; and the king of Mozman sent emissa-
ries unto Kaiah, saying: Whence comest thou, and
whither art thou going? And Kaiah sent Servinus, he
that tamed the king's horses, and bid him tell the king
of Mozman who they were ; and Servinus came unto
the court of Mozman, and he obtained audience with
the king; and Servinus bowed himself unto the king
and said:
Thy servants are the people of Gehalehmot, and we
were a peaceable and contented people, who did wrong
to no man, neither shed we any man’s blood, and our
occupation is that of herdsmen, and the land of Geha-
lehmot has been held by our fathers even from the
beginning, and unto no man have we paid tribute.
—43—
And behold, there was war between the king of Assyria
and the king of Aegyptus, and the king of Assyria
sent unto thy servants, saying, come up and help me
to war against mine enemy; and the Governor of the
land of Gehalehmot returned answer, saying:
Lo, thy servants the people of this land are in league
of friendship with the king of Aegyptus and we cannot
war against him, even also, thy servants the people of
Gehalemot know not how to war, never having been in
battle.
And when the king Merodach heard the answer
given by the governor, lo, his anger waxed hot against
our people, so that after he had returned from pursu-
ing after the king of Aegyptus, he marched against our
land. .
So Servinus told the king of Mozman all the history
of the invasion of the land, and the battle ; and when he
had made an end of speaking, the king of Mozman was
exceeding wrath and he rent his clothes and said, Evil
be unto the king and the people of Assyria. And he
commanded that there be presents sent unto Kaiah,the
king, and he caused a parchment roll to be written of
the history of the people of Gehalehmot, and he
ordered that it be put among the history of his own
people. -
And he sent a letter unto Kaiah, saying, in ten days
will I come down to visit thee, make ready to meet thy
servant the king of Mozman, and he signed thereto his
name, which was Amarah.
And when Kaiah had read the letter and heard what
Servinus said in regard to his audience with the king,
(and Kaiah had fetched the throne which Kinar had
made for him) he caused a tent of blue cloth to be set
—44—
up, and he set a banner of the people of Gehalehmot
before the tent,and he made the people sweep the earth
with brooms made of brushwood, and commanded that
on the day when the king of Mozman should visit him,
that all the people should abstain from work.
So the day arrived. Now the distance from where
Kaiah was unto the capital of the king Amarah was the
space of three days journey. And Kaiah sat in his
tent, and when the chariot of the king Amarah drew
near, Kaiah commanded that the golden trumpet sound ;
and the king of Mozman got him out of his chariot and
bowed himself, and Kaiah bowed himself also ; and
Amarah said:
Long live the king of Gehalehmot. And Kaiah said
also, long live the king of Mozman ; and the kings em-
braced each other, and Kaiah besought the king Ama-
rah to enter his tent, and he did so, and Kaiah spake
unto Amarah, saying:
Let not my lord the king be angry with me, for en-
tering his grounds without permission, and Amarah
said, Thy ambassador hath told me the circumstances
of thy passage hither; lo, all I have is thine, make thy-
self contented and abide in our land,
And long did the kings confer together, for they
were of a kindred mind.
And the escort of the king was the General of his
hosts, and an hundred men with brazen armor and
shields of fine iron; and Algoonah had the general of
the hosts into his own tent, and ordered that dinner be
prepared for both the kings, and for himself and the
generals, and it was done; and when the conference
was over, Raiah showed the king, Amarah, the people
—45—
of Gehahlehmot, with their flocks and herds, and when
he saw he marveled greatly, saying:
How comest thou to arm thy people in so short a
time, in such a splendid manner?
And Kaiah called Kinar and told Amarah of his skill
and cunning, and Amarah Smiled on him, and said:
May thy life be long for the good thou hast done
thy people.
And when he had returned, Amarah bowed himself
unto Kaiah, saying:
Let thy people rest in this place, and thou come up
with thy chief captain and thy body guard, and view
the land of Mozman. **
And Kaiah said: It is good, what my lord the king
has spoken. Lo, I will come up and see thee, in the
space of two moons.
And Amarah embraced him, and departed unto his
own land.
And Kaiah made ready, and when the time was come
for him to visit the king, Amarah, he took Algoonah
and a chosen band of fifty strong and comely youths,
and also Servinus, and got him up unto the king’s
place, and unto the chief city of the men of Mozman,
which is over against the great river of the yellow men ;
and when he was come nigh unto the city, there came
out to meet him, the army of the king of Mozman,
which was like unto the sands of the sea for multitude.
And the army of Amarah formed in two lines, for the
space of two furlongs from the gates of the city.
And when Kaiah had come unto the gates the mu-
sicians set up a loud noise of trumpets, and of brazen
and of stringed instruments, and a herald which stood
—46—
over against the great gate of the city, lifted up his
voice, and cried out:
Make way for the great king of the south country.
And when he had entered the gate, the herald again
said: -
Welcome unto the city of the people of Mozman.
And a guard walked on foot before the king, Kaiah,
and they marched for the space of a furlong and a half
into the city, for it was very great, and the guard
showed Kaiah and his people into a palace made ready
for him ; and there were servants in scarlet robes, and
in golden crowns, to wash him, and to wait upon him ;
and a feast was there made ready, and there were
maidens there, and music for to entertain him with
singing while he was eating, and the king, Kaiah, spent
the night there.
And when the morning was come, a messenger came
in unto Kaiah, and the messenger bowed himself nnto
the floor, and said: -
My lord, the king of Mozman cometh at the third
hour for to welcome the king of the south, and to bring
him unto his own palace.
And Kaiah Smiled on the messenger, and bid him
stand aside.
And at the third hour there was the sound of trum-
pets at the door of the palace, where Kaiah was, and
the people in the palace all prostrated themselves unto
the floor, as was their custom, in presence of their
king; and a servant of the king, Amarah, entered and
made proclamation, saying:
The king of Mozman entereth.
And Kaiah bowed himself, and the king of Mozman
entered ; and Amarah embraced Kaiah, and said:
—47—
Much honor doth thy servant receive this day by
reason of the visit of his brother, the king of Gehal-
ehmot. *
And Kaiah said: Long live the king of Mozman.
And after they had eaten, the king, Amarah, ordered
his chariot made ready, and he caused Kaiah to ride
beside him. . . .
As they went forth the people in the street bowed
themselves, and Kaiah greatly marveled at the magnifi-
cence of the city of the people of Mozman. -
Algoonah rode in another chariot behind, with the
lord chamberlain of the king’s palace; and Algoonah
was clad in the vestments of the general-in-chief of the
people of Gehalehmot; and he had a golden helmet on
his head, and a golden shield, and his armor was like
unto fire to look upon, and his helmet was open, and
he bowed unto the people, and the people were over-
come by the beauty of his countenance, and the noble
manner of his bearing. And the people cried, Long
live the young prince of the south ! And they came
apace unto the king’s palace. And Amarah got him
out, and bid Kaiah welcome unto his palace; and the
servants cast cloths in the way, and Amarah took Ka-
iah by the hand, and he led him into the palace.
And the trumpeters did blow exceedingly loud, and
the people set up a great shout, saying: welcome unto
the king of the South ; and when they were gone in, the
king bid a chamberlain of the palace to show Kaiah
unto his place, and he bowed himself and took Kaiah
unto the inner palace. Now the room where Kaiah
was shown, was of a magnificence never seen before,
the sheets of the bed were of the finest, pure, and
white, and there was an audience chamber, where he
—48—
might receive the people, and there was a room with
water of roses flowing in fountains for the king Kaiah
to wash himself; and there was a room filled with books
and histories of the people of Mozman, for they were
an old and powerful race, and there were servants of
the yellow men, and of the black men, and they did
lay hold on Kaiah, and stripped his royal robe from him,
and they washed him in the fountains; and when the
king Amarah was set down for to eat, he sent his son
the prince of the people to fetch Kaiah, and he set
Kaiah at his right hand, and they did eat, and while
they ate, a band of musicians did sing and play, and
there were those of a humorous mind who did amuse
the kings, and when the evening was far spent, Amarah
embraced Raiah and sent him with his son the prince
to see him to bed. .
And when the morning was come and they had
eaten, Amarah said unto Kaiah, behold, to-day I must
sit in the great hall of judgment; and he made Kaiah
to sit beside him before the people.
And Kaiah sat on the throne beside the king of Moz-
man, and the king Amarah did judge the people that
day, and he asked Kaiah how he should decide; and
the spirit of wisdom was that day on Kaiah, so that he
did judge with great cunningness. .
And the king Amarah was so much pleased, that he
ordered that the people should bow unto Kaiah,even as
they did unto him ; and it was so.
Now when the king Amarah had made an end of
judging the people, which was done three times a year,
he ordered that the royal chariot be made ready, and
he bid Kaiah to ride beside him, and they rode forth
and viewed the land of Mozman.
—49—
Now the land was exceeding great, and it extended
from the great river of the north, even down to the
desert in the south, and from the land of the yellow
men, even six hundred furlongs to the eastward. And
the land of Mozman was a goodly land, fair to see and
very fertile, and when the kings had viewed the land,
they came into a valley where two rivers met, and the
valley was fine and large, and there was pasturage and
much water, and everything convenient, and the valley
was four score furlongs on a side. And Amarah bid
Kaiah to view the valley,and he said, All this will I give
thee and thy people; enter I pray thee and possess
it. And Kaiah did weep, and he kissed Amarah, and
Said, Nay my brother, thy people must needs require
this valley.
And Amarah said, look around thee, from the river
even unto the desert, and all the plain, doth not my
people have land enough and to spare? and Kaiah said,
We will come down and possess the land if thou wilt
take tribute of us. And Amarah cast dust upon his
head and said, What evil shall come upon me if I take
tribute of my brother.
So Kaiah consented, and they returned unto the city
of the people of Mozman, and they had been viewing
the land of Mozman for the space of two months, and
the time of harvest was at hand, and Kaiah returned un-
to his own people, and there was much joy at his re-
turn, so the people of Gehalehmot went down and pos-
sessed the valley which the king of Mozman had given
them.
CHAPTER VIII.
Now, when the snow had left the mountains, Shal-
manezer, the king of Assyria’s son, came up and en-
camped near the city of Laheiah, and he sent runners
over the mountains for to see what had become of the
people of Gehalehmot; and the men of Gehalehmot
had been gone for the space of a month. But it so
happened that the yellow men who lived the contrary
way on the river from which the people of Gehaleh-
mot had gone, had come down for to steal and pillage,
and they were a cunning and crafty people; and they
saw the messengers of Shalmanezer, and they fled in
haste unto their own land, thinking that Algoonah had
returned to punish them for the robbery they had done
in the city of Laheiah.
So the messengers of Shalmanezer saw the tracks
of their beasts, and they said, To this way goeth the
people we seek; and they made haste unto Shalmane-
zer, and told him, thus and so went the people ye
Seek. And Shalmanezer got him up, and, leaving his
chariots and his armaments in the city of Laheiah, he
came hastily over into the great plain which is by the
river of the north, even the river of the yellow men;
and it was about the time of the rising of the waters
in the great river of Aegyptus; and Shalmanezer set
his army in order and marched in the direction taken
by the yellow men, which was contrary to the way
taken by the men of Gehalehmot; and he went up the
*ś
—51—
plain for the space of two months, and he came unto
the country of the yellow men. And the yellow men
saw him from afar, and they were filled with sorrow
and amazement; and they sent those of their number
who were filled with cunning and craft for to make
terms with the invaders, thinking it was the people
whom they had robbed. And they came unto the
camp of Assyria, and they cast themselves in the dust,
and made great lamentation ; and Shalmanezer asked
them, saying: Who are ye, and are ye at peace with
the great king of Assyria? And the ambassadors of
the yellow men were crafty, and they knew not the
king of Assyria, but one whose name was Shebinah.
And Shebinah was of the Etheopians and he had dwelt
in the land of Ninus, and he spake the language of
Assyria. And Shebinah said, Lo, thy servants be-
long to this land which thou seest beyond thee, and
we have no quarrel with the king of Assyria; but
rather have we been his friends, for did not the people
of our land furnish the ancient king Alcad, of Assyria,
with horses, when he fought against the king Ninus?
and thy servants have ever been on good terms with
my lord, the king of Assyria. - -
And the thing which Shebinah said was even true,
and the general of Shalmanezer remembered hearing
the same story read in the presence of the king. And
Shalmanezer asked them, saying: Hast thou seen the
people of Gehalehmot come over into this land? and
they said, nay, no people have we seen save thee and
thy people. And Shalmanezer was sore vexed and
non-plussed. Yet he marveled what had become of
the men of Gehalehmot. And Shalmanezer said unto
the yellow men: Now go in peace; I will do thee no
—52—
harm, only supply us a little corn and some beeves and
some fat sheep, that we may not perish for hunger in
the desert, for the king's son Shalmanezer expected to
find the produce of the land, that he might buy as his
necessities demanded. And the yellow men gave him
of their substance ; nevertheless, not of a sufficient
quantity to last him any length of time; and Shal-
manezer made a treaty of peace with the yellow men
and turned him about and returned unto the city of
Laheiah, for he had not provender where with to remain
in the plain by the great river. And Shalmanezer left
eight thousand men in the city of Laheiah, and at the
falling of the leaves he returned unto the land of As-
syria. And when he had returned and told unto the
king his father, how he had spent the summer, the king
Merodach was exceeding angry, and he rent his robe
and said, Fool thou art not to have sent messen-
gers in either direction for to see where these villain-
ous people had gone. And Merodach said, How long
shall this handful of vagabond people set at naught the
great and mighty people of Assyria? And he was
minded to cause Shalmanezer to be put to death, but
Semai, the daughter of the king, was much beloved by
him, and she was ten years old, and she fell on Shal-
manezer’s neck and said, behold, I will die if he dieth,
with him. And the chief captain stood up before the
king and told him how that the messengers that Shal-
manezer had sent reported how the people had gone
thus and so, and that the tracks of the animals were
still to be seen when they encamped over against the
great river of the north. -
And after the king had slept he became mollified in
his temper, and he commanded that there be made
—53—
ready a larger army for the next year, and he provided
himself with better things for the mountains, and Mer-
odach the king sent over when the summer season was
On the land, and possessed the land of Gehalehmot,
and he set a governor, Meshrodach his son, over the
land, and he gave the land in parcels unto the men of
Assyria, and made whosoever chose to go up into the
land of Gehalehmot a free man save in time of war
And Meshrodach governed the land, and he was wise
and humane, and he regretted that the people of
Gehalehmot were driven out, but he durst not say
aught unto his father of the matter.
So the land of Gehalehmot was possessed by the
men of Assyria, and this was done the year that Shal-
manezer went up to the land of the yellow men.
Now when Kaiah left the land of Gehalehmot and
the city of Laheiah, he sent strong and durable young
men unto the crossings of the mountains for to spy
out the movements of the men of Assyria; and Kaiah
did not suppose that Shalmanezer would come over in
the plain after him ; and at the time of the latter rains
in the valley, the messengers who had followed Shal-
manezer for to see what he did, returned unto Kaiah ;
and Kaiah with his people had then removed unto the
land which the king of Mozman had given him ; and
Kaiah heard what the messengers had said, and he
called Algoonah and asked him what he supposed the
king of Assyria would do, and Algoonah said, He
will surely return and we will be destroyed unless the
king Amarah of Mozman helps us, and that I do not
desire should be done, for lo he hath been as a brother
unto thee and hath given thee the land to dwell in.
So Kaiah was much distressed in his mind, and he
—54—
made ready and came up to the king of Mozman, and
the kings went into council together.
And Kaiah told unto Amarah what his messenger
Said, and Kaiah said further, Lo, I will draw thee into
an unnecessary war and be the cause of the killing of
many of the people of Mozman ; and Amarah said, Lothy
people are as my people, and thy war is my war, I will
make ready and we will smite the king of Assyria, so that
he perish from the earth ; and the two kings consulted
long together, and Kaiah said, I would that thou speak-
est with my prime minister, even Algoonah, for he is a
youth of great wisdom, and he hath never been wrong;
and Algoonah was called, and when he was come into
the presence of the kings, he bowed himself and said,
Long live the kings Kaiah and Amarah ; and Amarah
said, We have desired to consult thee in reference to
the invasion of the land by the king of Assyria next
year. And the matter was all laid before Algoonah,
and he stood up and said, It is not good for us to re-
main here, as we will cause thee and thy people an un-
necessary war, and moreover, I am well acquainted
with Merodach king of Assyria, and know his temper
and his mind, and I know that he will drive us from
the earth if he calleth all the people of Assyria to do
it. And further, I know the king and the people of
Assyria to be a brave and mighty nation, and the peo-
ple of Assyria are like the stars for multitude, and
their wealth is very great ; and thou art now in peace,
and thy people live around thee in happiness, and lo,
if we war against the men of Assyria, then thy people
will be slain, and trouble and lamentations will fill the
land of Mozman and much further did Algoonah
Say.
*
—55—
And the conference waxed long and warm, for Ama-
rah desired not for the people of Gehalehmot to leave
him, and he said he would have sufficient cause for war
if Merodach invaded his country. And Servinus, he
that was very cunning stood without, and he desired to
speak with Algoonah.
And Algoonah brought Servinus before the kings.
And Servinus bowed himself unto the ground, and
Raiah Smiled upon him and said, Speak my son what is
on thy mind. And Servinus smiled very craftily, and
said, Let ambassadors meet the army of king Mero-
dach on the borders of the land of Mozman, and let
them ask why come ye with armies into this the land
of Mozman ; With the king hast thou a quarrel? And
if he answereth we seek the people of Gehalehmot, let
answer be made, we know not such people; go hence in
peace and seek not to provoke our king to avenge thee
for coming into this the land of Mozman without cause ;
and if he answer, lo, I enter thy land to seek these peo-
ple, let the armies move against him, and let my lords,
the kings of the land of Mozman and of Gehalehmot,
make ready against such peradventure.
And when Servinus had ceased speaking, Amarah
said, What the fellow saith, is very good, thus let us
do. And Algoonah and Kaiah reasoned long, yet the
king of Mozman prevailed over them, and Kaiah con-
sented to abide the issue of a war in the land of Moz-
man, even as Servinus had advised.
And Kaiah and Algoonah came into the land where
the people of Gehalehmot were, and they made prep-
arations for war; and Amarah sent unto all the provin-
ces of Mozman saying, Lo, the great king of Assyria
cometh over at the summer of next year for to invade
—56—
the land of Mozman. Make ready, so and so many
armed men to meet him; and they made ready and
came unto the great city of king Amarah,and encamped
around it. And Servinus was made a chief man in the
army of king Amarah, for so Amarah had desired it of
Kaiah ; and the preparations went forward in great
haste for to meet the men of Assyria.
Now the young men of the land of Mozman came
down unto the people of Gehalehmot for to see them,
and there were those who were very comely and fair of
the women of Gehalehmot, both virgins and those who
were widows by reason of the battle of the city of
Laheiah, and the young men of Mozman were be-
trothed unto the daughters of the men of Gehalehmot,
and it pleased Amarah, and he made treaty with Kaiah
that all young men of Mozman who should marry the
women of Gelalehmot, should be of the men of Gehal-
ehmot, and the youths of Gehalehmot who should mar-
ry of the daughters of Mozman, should be of the people
of Mozman, and so it was. So the men of Mozman and
Gehalehmot made ready for war, and Amarah spake
unto Kaiah Saying:
Thy commander in chief even Algoonah is a young
man of great mind, let us cause him to be sent over
the plain for to meet the men of Assyria if it become
necessary to go into battle, and Kaiah said even as
thou desirest it shall be done. And Kaiah and Amarah
made a strong wall over against the river for to defend
the land of Mozman against the men of Assyria, and lo,
the wall standeth unto this day on the borders of the
land of Mozman.
And Amarah sat in the great hall of judgment for to
judge the people of Mozman, and Kaiah sat beside him
–57–
for to assist him in his judgment; and there came a
matter before the king which was of little import, but
the magistrates could not decide, so it came unto the
king, and the matter was this:
On a certain day, behold, there were two cows to-
gether, and both were with young, and both cast their
calves at the same time, and one calf was dead; and
shortly there came the separate owners of the cows,
and one said the calf that liveth is mine, and the other
said, lo, it is mine; so they quarreled together, and
they could not agree, and the kings were sore puz-
zled, and they could not decide justly ; and Servinus
stood in the audience and smiled craftily, and Amarah
spoke to him, and said: . -
Come, I pray thee, up hither.
And the king told the matter unto Servinus, and he
bowed himself, and said : -
Let my lords, the kings, cause the calf to be shut up
with the two cows, and the cow which the calf belong-
eth to will lick it with affection.
And the people who heard it laughed, and the kings
laughed, and said:
Thy craft is greater than the wisdom of the kings.
And on the close of the sitting for judgment, as the
kings sat eating, Kaiah told Amarah how the great
council had made a book of laws for the people of Ge-
halehmot, and the curiosity of the king, Amarah, was
greatly excited, and he desired that he might see the
laws, if expedient; and Kaiah sent Algoonah with the
laws for the king Amarah to hear. And Amarah sat
upon his throne, and he commanded that a herald read
the laws of the men of Gehalehmot, and it was done.
And when the king had heard the laws, he marveled
—58—
greatly at the wisdom and justice thereof, and he com-
manded that the laws be copied and placed with the
laws of the land of Mozman, and it was done.
And when the king, Amarah, lay upon his bed, he
was bereft of sleep by reason of meditating on the
laws of the people of Gehalehmot: and he said unto
himself, there is great wisdom in these laws and regu-
lations of the people of Gehalehmot. Nevertheless,
my brother, Kaiah, hath not selected who shall be king
after him. And the thought troubled Amarah so
greatly that he called his secretary in the middle of
the night, and caused him to write unto Kaiah con-
cerning the matter, and at the morning he sent a mes-
senger unto Kaiah.
And Raiah read the letter, and his mind was filled
with astonishment to find he had forgotten so import-
ant a matter, and he said :
I will consult my brother Amarah before I make
such selection.
So at the mid-winter feasts of the people of Gehal-
ehmot, Kaiah sent a chariot, with two hundred horse-
men, and wrote unto Amarah, saying, Come down into
our land and witness the feasts of the men of Gehal-
ehmot. -
So Amarah consented, and he came down with his
wife, and his sons and daughters, for to witness the
mid-winter feasts of the people. And Kaiah set out
to meet him on the way, and he brought him to the
tent of the king, and there was rejoicing among the
people. And after the feast was over, Kaiah took the
king, Amarah, and brought him unto a private place,
and said:
The matter which thou didst write to me of was for-
—59—
gotten by me, and I have brought thee down thither
that I might consult with thee on this thing.
And Amarah said:
Thou hast not sons, only daughters. Thou must
select from the people of Gehalehmot some one for
wisdom and strength ; and who is there among all the
people who is like unto Algoonah?
And Kaiah was of the same mind. So after they
had thus consulted, they called Algoonah and told him
of what they had decided, and Algoonah said unto
Kaiah :
My father, as thou knowest, died when I was in my
infancy, and thou, Kaiah, hast been my father since.
And the voice of Algoonah was choked for reason of
weeping, for he said, If I be king then wilt thou be
dead.
And Kaiah kissed him and sent him out. And when
it was told to the people there was a great shout set
up, saying:
Long live Algoonah, the pride, and hope, and
strength of all the people of Gehalehmot. -
And the preparations for war went on all over the
land of Mozman, so that from one end of the land unto
the other there was heard nothing but the orders for
war, and the sound of the hammers of the smiths and
3.I’ll] Ol’éI’S.
And Rinar, the cunning workman, was not idle, and
he made curious engines of war, such as was never
seen on earth at any time. And the time wore away
apace, and the time of the singing of birds was at hand,
and on a certain day Servinus came into the presence
of the king Amarah and bowed himself, and said,
Thy brother, the king Kaiah, knoweth that there is a
–60–
narrow place in the mountains where the king of As-
syria must needs pass through ; cause men to be sent
there that they may resist him, and turn him again
unto his own land. And Amarah said, I will consult
with the king Kaiah concerning this matter.
And Merodach, the king of Assyria, made prepara-
tions, and when the winter was gone he sent Shalman-
ezer again, and told him that unless he drove the
people of Gehalehmot from the earth, that he would
most surely put him to death.
And Shalmanezer came up unto the land of Geha-
lehmot and encamped over against the city of Laheiah;
and he was making ready to cross over and smite the
men of Gehalehmot when a messenger came in great
haste, saying: Thy father, even Merodach the king,
hath died, and the people have made thee king of As-
syria. And Shalmanezer put on mourning, and the
army of Assyria mourned for the space of thirty days.
And Shalmanezer consulted within himself, saying,
What profiteth me if I go against these people; lo, I
have their land, and they will trouble me no longer,
nor will Algoonah ; for he is gone from the land.
So Shalmanezer called back the army of Assyria,
and he went unto his own land; and Shalmanezer
began to reign on the throne of his father Merodach,
and he reigned forty and eight years in the land of
Assyria.
CHAPTER IX.
So Shalmanezer, the king of Assyria, went into his
own country and withdrew his army from the city of
Laheiah, save forty score, who kept the city.
And Meshrodach, his brother, reigned over the land
of Gehalehmot. -
Now Kaiah and the king of Mozman sent Algoonah.
with an hundred thousand men for to spy out the king
of Assyria; and Algoonah came unto the crossing of
the mountains which is over against the city of La-
heiah.
And he sent Servinus with a picked band of men for
to go over and see what the men of Assyria did ; and
Servinus bid the men stand; and he cast his clothing
off and dressed him in rags, and came unto the city of
Laheiah, and he drew near the gates of the city, and
the guard which stood over the gate of the city saw
him come on, and the guard said, Who art thou? and
he said, Thy servant is a herdsman which dwelleth in
the mountains; and lo, the wild beasts have killed my
flocks and herds, and thy servant hath wandered starv-
ing in the mountains; give, I pray thee, me to eat,
for I perish with hunger. And the guard sent
him with a soldier into the presence of the ruler of the
city; and the ruler said, Art thou one of the people of
Gehalehmot? And Servinus said, Nay, verily I am of
the outskirts of the kingdom of Assyria. And the
ruler believed him, for he spoke the language of the
—62—
men of Assyria, and the ruler sent him unto Meshro-
dach, the Governor, and Meshrodach questioned him,
but could get no further answer, neither did he cross
himself in his speech. So Meshrodach sent him unto
the fig tree dressers for to give him employment; and
Servinus wrought with the dressers of the fig trees.
And he could get no occasion for to leave, for he saw
that the king’s men watched him closely ; and he heard
of the conversation of the men what had transpired,
and he sought opportunity to go thence; and at last he
got a man who went up to the city of Laheiah for im–
plements of his trade to take him with him, and Ser-
vinus escaped over the mountains, and he went in haste
unto Algoonah and told him of the death of Merodach,
and that Shalmanezer was king in his stead, and
that Shalmanezer had called the army back from
following after the men of Gehalehmot; and Algoo-
nah straightway went back unto the land of Mozman and
told Kaiah and Amarah, the kings, of the tidings, and
they caused proclamation to be made all over the land
of Mozman ; and there was great rejoicing among all
the people on that account ; and all the soldiers, Save
those who belonged to the army of peace, returned
unto his own place; and it was the time of casting seed
into the earth, and the men of Gehalehmot went to
the business of husbandry, and they did sow every
man to his ability, and the flocks and herds of the
people covered the valley.
And on a certain day, Amarah sent unto Kaiah,
saying: Let us meet and form a treaty of peace be-
tween my people and thine ; and Kaiah was agreed
thereto.
—63—
So the kings met in council and formed a treaty,
and the tenor thereof was as follows:
The men of Gehalehmot shall possess the valley
from where the two valleys meet, even unto the great
mound which is over against the city of Arbulah ; and
the men of Gehalehmot shall be a free people, from all
demands of the king of Mozman, save in necessary
war, and on there being necessary war in the land of
Mozman, then shall the men of Gehalehmot pay unto
the treasury of the land of Mozman one-tenth of all
the increase of the land; and the men of Mozman who
shall be married unto the daughters of the people of
Gehalehmot shall be of the men of Gehalehmot, and
likewise all the men of Gehalehmot who shall take to
wife of the daughters of Mozman shall be of the men of
Mozman; and the men of Mozman shall assist the
men of Gehalehmot in any war necessary unto the
well-being of the people of Gehalehmot; and any man
having aught against the people of Gehalehmot shall
leave the matter unto the magistrates and judges of
Gehalehmot; and if their judgment be unjust then shall
the king of Gehalehmot consider the matter, and then
do justice. And much more was written in the treaty.
And Amarah made a writing of parchment with his
signet thereon, and gave unto Kaiah.
And Kaiah called men chosen for wisdom, to meet
other men chosen for wisdom of the land of Mozman,
for to consider other matters of import. And the wise
men met, and they recommended that there be built
an highway from the great city of Mozman, even unto
the great city of the men of Gehalehmot. And it
pleased the kings, and they gave command that the
highway be built, and that the expense thereof should
—64–
fall on the people of Mozman and Gehalehmot alike ;
and Kinar, the cunning workman, was made the chief
workman of the highway.
And it was begun immediately; and the plan there-
of was this:
The highway was cast up four cubits, and it was
twenty-five cubits wide, and the top was paved with
stones to the depth of a cubit and a half.
So the work went on, and there was peace in all the
land of Mozman.
And the men of Gehalehmot were expert in the mak-
ing of cheese, and the people of Gehalehmot sent their
cheese into the land of Mozman, and they made great
gain thereof.
And the summer drew on apace. And the time of
harvest was at hand. So, after a few days the song of
the reapers of the harvest was heard from one end of
the land to the other, and the harvest of the people of
Gehalehmot was very great, so that the like thereof
was never seen upon the earth even to this day.
And Kaiah laid the foundations of his chief city
even where the two rivers met, and he builded him a
palace and a temple there. * g.
When king Amarah had judgment,he sent untokaiah
to assist him in his judgment, and this he did continu-
ally, and the people of Mozman respected and love
Kaiah, even as they did their own king. -
And a treaty was made between the kings, so that
Amarah’s son Kamillah was married unto the daughter
of Kaiah, and at the wedding feast there was great
merriment and festivity; and the work on the highway
was carried on apace, and the distance was four Score
furlongs.
—65—
And Kaiah builded a city, and it was called the city
of Kaiah, and the men of Gehalehmot builded them-
selves houses, and the land prospered greatly.
And they abode in the land three years, and the land
of Toridel which was far off on the borders of the land
of Mozman, laid cause of war against the people of
Mozman.
The men of Toridel had many slaves, and they were
a barbarous people, and they did greatly mistreat their
slaves.
And the slaves came over into the land of Mozman,
and they were well treated, and became as the men of
Mozman.
And the King of Toridel sent down emissaries, say-
ing, return our slaves or worse things shall befall thee.
And the anger of Amarah was raised against the
king of Toridel.
And he sent unto Kaiah to consult with him ; and he
would not return the slaves unto the king of Toridel,
and the messengers returned unto their own land, and
Amarah made ready for war; and Algoonah came with
an hundred thousand men of Gehalehmot for to assist
the king of Mozman.
And Amarah made ready six score thousand men,
and sent them under Jurba his great general, for to
meet the men of Toridel if they should come unto the
land of Mozman. And they did journey for the space
of sixteen days and came unto the city of Kama, which
is on the borders of the land of Mozman, over against
the land of Toridel, and they encamped around about
the city of Kama, and cast up walls and mounds for
defence.
—66—
Now the king of Toridel was very angry when the
messengers returned, and he sent unto the governors
and chief captains for to make ready for to go to war
against the land of Mozman.
The men of Toridel were not as the men of Mozman,
and of Gehalehmot, but they were of short stature,
and very crafty and cruel in their disposition, and
they made ready an exceeding great army, and came
down for to overrun the country of Mozman.
And the men of Toridel were in the custom of fight-
ing on horseback, and they were exceedingly hard to
conquer, by reason of the speed of their movements,
and messengers came unto the king of Toridel, who
commanded the army in person, saying the men of
Mozman had encamped within the city of Kama. And
the king said, we cannot war as the king of Mozman
doth ; let us get around behind him, and penetrate
into the land and burn their defenceless cities, and put
the inhabitants to the sword -
Now Algoonah had a great band of chosen horse-
men, and they were armed with the expert weapons
which Kinar had made; and Algoonah had requested
the great general to send spies abroad, and he did so ;
and the spies returned in haste, saying:
Lo, the men of Toridel penetrate into the land
twenty furlongs to the north.
And it was night, and the chief captain commanded
Algoonah that he go straight way and fall upon them.
And Algoonah went forth in haste, with his chosen
men on horseback, and he rode for the space of a day
and a night, and he came upon the men of Toridel en-
camped against a city of Mozman ; and it was night,
and the men of Toridel slept intending to fall upon the
—67—
city in the morning. And the men of Algoonah wore
a blue vestment as was the fashion of the men of Ge-
halehmot, and every man had a brand of fire, and they
fell upon the men of Toridel, and the men of Toridel
fled in dismay. And Algoomah ceased not to drive
them until they came into their own land; and he re-
turned unto the city of Kama, and requested the great
general that he go into the land of Toridel and lay it
Waste. -
And when the men of Algoonah had sufficiently
rested, the chief general of the men of Mozman got
him up with his army and moved into the land of Tori-
del; and he came unto the river which is between the
land of Toridel and the land of Mozman ; and he
crossed the river, and all the army crossed over after
him. And word was brought unto the king of Toridel,
saying:
Behold ! the men of Mozman have crossed over into
the land, and they march against thee.
And the king of Toridel made ready all his people,
and marched unto the face of the general of Mozman.
Now the chief general of Mozman had left Algoonah
with the men from the people of Gehalehmot, saying:
Stay thou in this city of Kama and keep it, for thou
hast done sufficient for thee.
So Algoonah stayed and kept the city.
And the king of Toridel came to meet the men of
Mozman, and they came face to face in the valley of
Kamleh, which is in the land of Toridel.
And they went not to battle, for the day was spent ;
but each rested in his place until the morrow. g
So, when the sun had risen, the army of Toridel like
—68—
unto the leaves of the trees in number, formed in two
wings, and encompassed the men of Mozman.
And the great general of Mozman was a mighty man
of war, and his soul enkindled within him, and he
made his army into four divisions; one facing the east,
one facing the west, one facing the south and one fac-
ing the north. And the men of Toridel rode horses,
and were expert with the bow and javelin. And there
were among the men of Mozman, those who slang
stones to a great distance; and the men of Torideſ
knew it not. And as they came near, the slingers
threw stones and hit them in their foreheads, and the
men of Toridel fell as dead.
And the men of Mozman set up a shout, which did
terrify the horses of the men of Toridel, and they
threw their riders and fled over the great plain ; and
the men of Mozman fell upon the men of Toridel, and
their slaughter was very great.
Now the king of Toridel rode in a great chariot of
gold, of silver and of ivory, and the ensign of the people
of Toridel was carried before the king; and his people
surrounded him and fought bravely; but, the men of
Mozman encompassed them about ; and smote them
with great fury; and the king of Toridel could not flee
by reason of the men of Mozman.
And the chief general was a large and valorous man,
and he rode upon a great black horse, and he levelled
a spear and made as if he would thrust it through the
king; and one who was of the men of Toridel received
the spear into his body and fell to the ground. And
the king of Toridel gave himself into the hands of the
men of Mozman. And he wanted to make treaty with
the chief general; and the chief general caused the
—69–
fighting to cease, and he called back his people from
pursuing after the men of Toridel. And the chief
general said unto the king, I cannot make a treaty with
thee until I consult the chief general of the men of
Gehalehmot, who assisted me in this war.
So he took the king, and his chariot, and his standard,
and his chief captains, and brought them unto the city
of Kama, where Algoonah was.
And Algoonah and the chief general of the land of
Mozman held a long consultation, and they made
terms with the king of Toridel, as followeth :
That the king of Toridel should return unto his own
land, and possess it, as ever his fathers had done; that,
he should pay unto the kings of Gehalehmot and Moz-
man the cost of the war, and that he should no more
go to war without the consent of the kings of Geha-
lehmot and Mozman ; and that the slaves who should
come over and reach the city of Kama should be free;
and all the stuff of the king of Toridel was returned
unto him, and they suffered him to return unto his
own land ; and the men of Gehalehmot and of Mozman
returned unto their places. And there was great
rejoicing all over the land, albeit, there was much sor-
row for those who were slain. And the people of Ge-
halehmot waxed rich, and their flocks and herds were
very numerous, and the valley occupied by them was
not surpassed in all the land of Mozman for richness;
and the people had abode there for eight years.
The great highway between the chief city of Moz-
man and the city of Kaiah was completed the second
year; and the travel thereon was very great, both of
beasts of burden and chariots, and horsemen; and
—70—
even also the land of Mozman prospered greatly, inso-
much that merchants came from all the other nations;
and traded with the men of Mozman and Gehalehmot.
Now, Servinus was of a subtle and crafty disposi-
tion, and he secretly hated Algoonah and Kaiah, and
he secretly made unto himself friends of the people,
that he might be made king when Kaiah was dead; and
the matter was kept secret; nevertheless, a maid who
was of Algoonah’s household told the wife of Algoo-
nah, of the matter; and on a certain night the wife of
Algoonah told him of the matter. So Algoonah pon-
dered over the matter, and made it known unto Kaiah,
and Kaiah told the king Amarah. So at the time of
the harvest in the eighth year of the sojourn of the
people in the land of Mozman, Servinus sought oppor-
tunity, as Algoonah entered the court of the temple
early in the morning, and laid in wait for to kill him.
And the friends of Servinus were made ready, to the
number of five hundred, for to make him king. And
the night previous the wife of Algoonah had a melan-
choly dream, and when Algoonah arose to go into the
temple she told him thereof. And it impressed the
mind of Algoonah, and he was on his guard, and he saw
Servinus crouching in the shadow of the door; and Al-
goonah had a sword in his robe; and Servinus cast a
javelin at Algoonah, and he sprang aside and received
no hurt. And Servinus was forsaken of his courage
and fled; and Algoonah had him taken and cast into
prison. And the people were all amazed, and said, he
shall surely die as a dog dieth.
But Servinus escaped and got his friends, who were
also afraid, and fled into the land of Gehalehmot, even
the land where Meshrodach was governor.
—71—
And Meshrodach was distrustful of them, albeit,
Servinus told a plausable story; and Meshrodach said,
depart hence, lest evil will befall thee.
And Servinus fled to the westward, for he feared the
men of Assyria. And he came unto the great sea, that
lieth to the westward, and he stopped in the land of
Ghamis, and builded the city of Salem, which standeth
even unto this day.
And after Servinus left, the king Kaiah, was of
heavy spirit, and he eat not, neither did he sleep, for
reason of the rebellion of Servinus, and the men which
he drew off with him. Algoonah cheered up the king
and said, evil were the works of Servinus from the be-
ginning, and all his craft lay in fraud and lying, con-
sider thyself fortunate that he is gone.
And the friendship between Kaiah and Amarah
waxed not cold ; but was better from year to year, and
at the end of the ninth year of the sojourn of the peo-
ple of Gehalehmot, in the valley given them by the
king of Mozman, lo, a messenger came in haste unto
Kaiah, saying, Lo, the king even Amarah is nigh unto
death, and he desired thee to come quickly.
And Kaiah got him up in haste, and came unto the
palace of Amarah ; and he lay as it were dead. And
when Kaiah entered, Amarah raised him up and Smiled
on Kaiah, and said:
These many years ye have been as my brother, lo,
I now go as my fathers went. I desire that thou
place the crown of the kingdom of Mozman on the head
of my son Aristoblah, and proclaim him king before the
people, and Kaiah did so immediately, and Amarah died. . .
So Aristoblah sat on the throne of his father, Ama-
rah, and all the people of Mozman and Gehalehmotº
mourned for Amarah forty days.
CHAPTER X.
So Aristoblah sat on the throne of his father Ama-
rah ; and the land was filled with mourming, from one
end even unto the other. *
The king Amarah, had ruled the land of Mozman
sixty years, being eighty years old when he died; and
he ruled with great wisdom and justice, and the people
loved Amarah greatly, for the land had prospered
very much in his reign.
Now Aristoblah was twenty and three years old when
he began to reign, and he was of a weak mind, and
treacherous disposition ; and one, Thesaura, was his
wife, and she was cunning and cruel.
The king Kaiah, was filled with great sorrow when
Amarah died ; and he went unto his house and shut him-
self up, and did neither eat or drink, save when
pressed by his household.
Now when Amarah had been dead a year, Aristoblah
sent unto Kaiah, saying:
These ten years hast thou possessed the valley at
the meeting of the two rivers, and thou hast paid no
tribute. Behold, my tax gatherer cometh; and make
thou ready to pay me a tenth part of thy increase since
thou entered the land.
And Algoonah met the messenger, and when he had
heard the import of the message, he was filled with in-
dignation; and he went in unto Kaiah and told him
—73—
gently what the young king desired; and Kaiah was as
a dead man, and smote upon his breast, and said:
Would that I had died with my brother, even Am-
arah ; then would not my days have been full of sor-
row, and peace would not have departed from me.
And long did he mourn, by reason of the treachery
of the young king Aristoblah.
Now this was at the spring time, when the young fig
tree first shooteth forth her leaves; so Algoonah called
the grand council of the people together, and stood up
and said:
This day hath the young king of Mozman dealt with
treachery and cruelty. Behold the demand that he
maketh. Consider what we shall do.
And the council deliberated much, and they said:
Had we not better conciliate the young king, and
pay him what he desireth.
And Algoonah spake with indignation, saying:
Nay, we will not pay him so much as one farthing.
Lo, our king, Kaiah, made a treaty of peace and friend-
ship with Amarah, the king, that we should possess the
land without tribute through all coming time.
We will depart hence. See, the world lieth before
us, and we will go out from this land and go unto the
uttermost parts of the earth before we will pay tribute
unto this king, the foolish Aristoblah.
And the council agreed thereto. And Algoonah
sent forth proclamation to the men of Gehalehmot,
saying: -
Let no man cast seed into the earth, neither plant
the fig tree, or build more houses; but let every one
make himself ready to depart hence. -
Now there were many that were of the people of
—74—
Mozman, by reason of the treaty made by the kings,
Amarah and Kaiah ; so they hated the new king of
Mozman, and agreed un o the removal.
The young king caused the demand to be made unto
Kaiah, by reason of the importunities of his wife,
Thesaura, and she gave him no rest day or night, Say-
ing:
Lay heavy burdens on this vagabond people thy
father admitted into the land. Lo, they have grown
rich by reason of having the most fertile and comely
part of thy land, and they have lived on the fatness of
the land these ten years. -
So Aristoblah did as she demanded, and the decree
went forth that the men of Gehalehmot should pay a
tenth of their increase since they entered the land of
Mozman ; and the tax gatherers went down unto the
land of the people of Gehalehmot for to tax the peo-
ple. And they were low fellows, for the men of Moz-
man, who were of good disposition, still loved the
people of Gehalehmot, by reason of their respect unto
the good king Amarah, and no one of any repute would
be tax gatherer. -
And Algoonah made all the people ready, and at the
rising of the new moon he went forth toward the south-
eastward, even toward the land of Toridel; and the
people took their flocks and herds, their substance and
all things sufficient, and necessary for three years pro-
vender.
And they travelled along, until the going down of
the new moon, even twenty nine days; and the order
of the journey was as follows: -
First, came Algoonah, then the king and his wife
and children, then an hundred thousand armed men,
—75—
then the people with their wives and little ones, then
the flocks and herds, with the shepherds and shearers,
then the household stuff on beasts of burden, and in
chariots cunningly devised by Kinar, and lastly the re-
mainder of the men of Gehalehmot, armed and ready
for battle, so they journeyed down toward the land of
Toridel.
And the tax gatherers of Aristoblah returned in
haste, saying, this people whom thou sendest us to lay
tribute on, hath departed from the land, even toward
the southeastward; and the wife of Aristoblah, wrought
him heavily, saying, get thee up, and pursue this peo-
ple, for they have much fine gold, and silver, and
precious stones, and fine clothing, besides flocks and
herds; and she gave him no rest.
So the king sent unto his chief general, who was al-
so with Algoonah, at the time of the war in the land
of Toridel, and he told him to make ready to go after
the people of Gehalehmot.
And the chief general began to reason with the king;
but the king grew wroth and cast him into a dun-
geon.
And when it was gone forth among the people, that
the chief general was cast into prison, they were filled
with sorrow ; and they loved the chief general ; and the
people came, and in the night, beat down the dun-
geon.
And the chief general came forth, and went in haste
unto the men of Gehalehmot, and abode with them,
from that time henceforth.
And Aristoblah took a dissolute, evil minded young
fellow, and made him chief general.
—76—
And Aristoblah got his army, and went forth to pur-
sue the men of Gehalehmot, and he came down toward
the land of Toridel, whither the people had gone.
So Algoonah crossed the river, and came unto the
land of Toridel, and he encamped two days journey in
the land, and sent messengers unto the king of Tori-
del, saying, We are a people who are herdsmen, and
we desire to cross thy land, even to the southeastward;
and when the messengers had come unto the king he
received them civilly, for he was a generous young
king, and told the men that he would send his lord
chamberlain, even his brother, for to see the people ;
so the lord chamberlain came down, and he talked with
Raiah and Algoonah, for he spake the speech of the
land of Mozman.
The lord chamberlain asked them, Art thou of the
land of Mozman 2 and Algoonah told them the truth ;
and the lord chamberlain was distrustful ; nevertheless,
he said, see that thou do the land no hurt, and the way
shall be open to thee. -
And the lord chamberlain went his way, even to the
city of the king of Toridel; so the king made proclam-
ation, saying: A shepherd people passeth through
the land ; let no man do them hurt, save in defence of
his life or property. And Algoonah got him up with
all his people, and journeyed to the Southeastward for
the space of four months; and they came to where
there were exceeding high mountains, and the pastur-
age was good, for the land was of a warm climate, so
the people built houses, and the flocks and herds cov-
ered the hills. Now in that land there lived men who
were exceeding wild and uncouth, and shaved not,
neither wore they any clothing, and their herds were
*—77—
horses, goats and asses; and the wild men were filled
with terror at the sight of the people, and they fled in
great alarm,
Now, Aristoblah got him out of his city and pursued
after the people of Gehalehmot. Guyges, of the men
of Gehalehmot, he who was merry maker unto the
king of Assyria, had married of the daughters of Moz-
man, and was one of the men of Mozman by reason of
the treaty, and he was captain of a host in the army of
Mozman, and he rode before the king; and when the
army of Mozman had come unto the river over against
the land of Toridel, Guyges raised himself in his sad-
dle and cast a javelin at the king Aristoblah, and the
javelin entered the king’s heart, and he fell into the
chariot and gave up the ghost; and Guyges lifted up
his voice and said, so dieth the treacherous and cruel
tyrant; and there was great commotion among the
army. And Guyges went in haste and fled across the
land of Toridel, and he saw where the people had
crossed the land; and he went in safety, for the peo-
ple of Toridel feared the men of Gehalehmot, and
they were willing to let them pass in peace.
And the army of Mozman returned to their own
land, and Jabura, the king’s brother, was king in his
stead; and Jabura put the wife of Aristoblah to the
Sword, because he knew she was filled with evil. Ja-
bura was like unto his father Amarah, and he sent for
the people of Gehalehmot, to return and possess the
valley given them by his father, Amarah, but his emis-
saries were turned back by the men of Toridel, and he
let the matter rest. Now the valley of the people of
Gehalehmot was not inhabited ; and the cities and
^
—78–
houses, the walls and mounds thereof, were left stand-
in the valley, and it has not been the abode of man, even
to this day. Jabura, the king, was twenty years old
when he began to reign, and he sat upon the throne of
his father, Amarah, seventy and three years; and he
did that which was just and right. And the people of
Mozman, were they not a notable people?
Now Algoonah commanded that the people build no
houses, only proper for their present necessities, for
he intended not to abide in that land. Now Kaiah
waxed old and feeble by reason of sorrow, and his head
was bowed, neither did he speak unless one spake unto
him; and Algoonah was troubled by reason of the
sorrow of Kaiah, and that he would not be comforted.
So Guyges left his wife in the land of Mozman, and
went unto the people of Gehalehmot; and when he
was come thither he told Algoonah what he had done.
And Algoonah was greatly amazed at the doings of
Guyges; and he rebuked Guyges for his rash conduct.
So Guyges fell on the ground and implored the favor
of Algoonah.
In the land where the people of Gehalehmot stayed,
the climate was gentle, and the flocks and herds throve
on the pasturage, for there was no severe weather; and
at the time of the spring Algoonah made the people
ready, and they journeyed even in the same order that
they did when they came out of the land of Mozman.
And at the end of the tenth year from the time the
people came into the land of Mozman, they departed
Southward, to find a land where they might stay and
abide forever. th
So they came to where the great river of the east
crossed through the mountains, and the people went
—79–
through and encamped on the other side. And the
land on the other side was the land of Katharia; and
it was a strange and peculiar country; and they came
to where the pasturage was good, and the people did
stop, for they were weary, and spent, with their jour-
ney. And the land of Katharia had trees of strange
and goodly fruit; and the people did eat of the fruit
of the land.
Moreover, the men of the land of ICatharia were a
peculiar people, and their land was of a vast and mar-
velous extent; and they lived in cities, and tilled the
earth. -
At the time the people of Gehalehmot entered the
land of Katharia it was the time of the falling of the
leaves in the land of Assyria and of Gehalehmot; and
it was told the governor of the people that a strange
people had come into the land.
The great king of Katharia lived two years’ journey
to the eastward, and all the land was his, but the
country was ruled by governors; every province had
its own governor; and the governor sent down, and
his emissaries could not speak with the people. So
the chief emissary took an arrow and gave it to Al-
goonah ; and Algoonah brake the arrow and threw it
away, and the emissaries smiled and took their leave.
And it was told the governor, and he said these men
came not for war and conquest. Lo, their children and
women are with them. Let them remain in safety.
And Algoonah was minded to remain there for the
space of three months, and then depart unto the
land where the people might abide through all coming
time. *
—80—
So the governor sent youths for to learn the lan-
guage of the strange invaders, for to see what they
desired. And the youths came down, and Algoonah
set teachers over them, and they learned the speech of
Gehalehmot. And the youth of Gehalehmot learned
the speech of Katharia. And the governor was much
astonished when he heard the history of the men of
Gehalehmot, and told the messengers of Algoonah that
he could pass through the land of Katharia, even to
the mighty sea of the east, where he could abide on
certain islands which were near the land.
And Kaiah grew old and stricken of years, and his
strength abated, and he lay him down and could not
rise; and he sent unto Algoonah saying, Come hither
I pray thee, with the elder men of the people.
And it was done even as Kaiah commanded, and
Kaiah said unto Algoonah, and to the elders of the
people, Lo, my days on earth are ended, the strong
man by reason of age and sorrow, lieth down and
riseth not, this day will Kaiah be numbered with the
dead; take the blue robe of the kings of Gehalehmot
and cast it on Algoonah, and set the golden crown of
Kaiah upon his head, and let the patriarch of the peo-
ple pour out an horn of oil before him, and let him
be proclaimed king before the people. And the peo-
ple quickly assembled, and Kaiah was carried forth in
his bed for to look at the people again, and to see Al-
goonah made king. And Algoonah was made king in
presence of all the people. And Kaiah called Guyges,
and said, Thy name shall be no more Guyges, but
Jeshurim, for that savoreth of the land of Assyria; and
Raiah was taken back unto his chamber, and he bid
Algoonah to give Jeshurim the sword and hemlet of
—81—
the commander in chief of the men of Gehalehmot,
and it was done. And Kaiah said, Behold, I die and
go unto my fathers; let my ashes be taken into what-
soever land thou sojourneth in. And the spirit of fu-
turity came over Kaiah, and his reason returned, and
he sat up and said:
Lo, I see a people mighty in wisdom and conquest ;
and the men of all lands, and of all nations, and all
kindreds, and all time shall look in wonder and aston-
ishment at the work of their hands; and they shall be
a people wondrous in cunnning, and shall cast their in-
fluence on the nations of the world, even unto the lat-
est generations; and they shall come unto a land
goodly and wide; and the land shall come to be of the
mightiest nations of the earth; all men shall run
thither, and the world shall be filled with astonishment
at the people. -
And Kaiah lay him down, and called Algoonah, and
said, remember the last words of Kaiah ; Do justice, for-
sake not truth, and be a father unto the people, even
as I have been a father unto thee. So Kaiah closed
his eyes and died; and all the years of Kaiah, were
ninety and four.
CHAPTER XI.
So Kaiah died, and all the people mourned with
great lamentation for him.
And Algoonah cast off his kingly robe, and put on a
garment of mourning, and of rags; and they laid Kaiah
in a coffin of fine wood, and precious, even Sandal
wood, and a plate of gold was thereon.
And the body of Kaiah was placed in a tent of fine
cloth. Then Algoonah called the people together, and
after he had wept a long while, he stood up before
the people and spake, saying:
As the leaf falleth in her fullness of time, and the
water faileth by reason of the heat of summer; so man
lieth down, and riseth no more forever; the years come
and pass away again, and he is no more where we
were wont to behold him. The heart of man is filled
with sorrow and woe, even from the beginning, until the
rest cometh, even the long sleep of death, from which
he never awaketh.
O my people, this is a day of blackness; the sun
riseth and lighteth, and warmeth the land; and the heat
and light thereof, driveth not away the gloom that
rests upon us. -
We are as the herds of the valley when the herds-
man is taken away.
We look upon the throne of Kaiah ; and he is not
there.
—83–
When our council meeteth, we behold him not. We
listen for the voice that was our guidance and comfort
for long years, and we hear it no more. Our father
is gone from us; and behold we go forth in sorrow,
and he leadeth us not.
But, he lieth cold and motionless before us. The
sharp sound of the rising conflict will not awaken him
from the sleep of death ; the wails of our women and
little ones, arouse him not. When did the cry of sor-
row enter the ear of Kaiah, and he heeded it not ;
when did the sorrowing seek him, and find not solace.
Lo, the good die not ; the great and beautiful life of
Kaiah liveth on, and will live on to the latest genera-
tions.
And we turn from the contemplation of our sorrow
to the grand deeds of a noble life.
When the men of Gehalehmot would seek to instruct
their youth in the way of wisdom and goodness, they
will point to the history of Kaiah, and say, behold the
good and perfect man. Walk ye after him. Rest be-
loved father; thy memory shall be kept, while one of
thy people remaineth upon the earth. Rest, rest; thy
warfare and pilgrimage are at an end, and the blessings
of all generations followeth thee forever. .
And when Algoonah had made an end of speaking,
lo, all the people broke forth in wailing and lamenta-
tions, such as never hath been heard since ; and all the
people sat in mourning for forty days, neither ate or
drank, save bread and water; and they mended neither,
shaved themselves nor dress their heads, until the time
of mourning was past. And at the end of forty days
the time of mourning was past, and Algoonah made
proclamation, saying, This people shall no more be
—84—
called the people of Gehalehmot, but the people of
Kaiah, until the earth cometh to an end ; and the proc-
lamation was observed by all the people.
The men of Katharia looked in wonder on the men
of Kaiah, for their mourning was very great. And
the men of Katharia were a peculiar people, and their
land was of great extent, and they had highways from
one end of the land even unto the other; and the mer-
chants of Katharia came unto the westward, even unto
the land of Arabia, for spices, and for gold and prec-
ious stones, fine brass and clothing; also for birds of
rare and curious plumage, which were kept in their
houses. And the traffic was by means of camels and
asses and horses; and they rested not, but came and
went continually; and the great king of Katharia lived
over against the great sea of the eastward; and his
proclamations went forth unto the utmost parts of the
land, and the people did homage to him. And Algoo-
nah asked permission of the governor of the province
to pass on through the land, for the three months he
intended to remain hastened to their close. And the
governor said, go in peace, only hurt thou not the land
or do mischief on the way. And at the end of the
eleventh year from the time the men of Kaiah entered
the land of Mozman, Algoonah caused the people to
march, even in the same order that they left the land
of Mozman, And they journeyed toward the east-
ward by way of the mountains, even toward the great
city of the king of Katharia. And the people drove
their flocks and herds, and came for the space of four
months, and encamped by the great river of the east,
even the river of the mighty city of the king of Katha-
ria; and in the fourth month Algoonah rested on a plain
—85–
by the great river; and the province was not the one
the people rested in before ; and the governor thereof
had heard of the people, and he sent unto them, say-
ing, Peace and plenty be with the shepherd men of the
west; lo, the land is thine until thou art rested from thy
journey. And Algoonah sent presents unto the gov-
ernor, of fine parchment of goat skins, and cheese of
the best. And the governor was well pleased, and sent
word, saying, On such a day will I come down and see
thee; for the distance was not great from his chief
city. And Algoonah made ready, and he sat upon the
throne of Kaiah, and wore the blue robe of the people
of Kaiah. And the governor rode with an hundred
horsemen; and Algoonah came forth to meet him ; and
the governor bowed him to the earth, as was the cus-
tom of the men of Katharia, and all the men of the
governor did likewise, and fell before Algoonah, for
they had never before seen one so magnificently
dressed. And Algoonah had him in, and set a feast; and
the governor did eat, and was greatly delighted, inso-
much that he lifted himself and swore that he would
protect the men of Kaiah from even the great king of
Katharia himself. And the governor, whose name was
Teh, went his way. And he sent artizans and cunning
workmen to learn the arts of the men of Kaiah. And
they did learn; and the men of Kaiah also learned the
art of making parchment from the barks of trees and
from the grass. Also they learned many other things
of great use to them thereafter. And the time came
that Algoonah was minded to leave and continue his
journey, but Teh sent and said, nay, thou leavest not
until I give thee word, for I am pleased to have thee
near. Now he had secretly sent a messenger in haste
—86—
unto the great and mighty king of Katharia for to en-
treat him for the people of Kaiah. And the messen-
ger rode apace, and drew unto the city of the great
king of Katharia; and there was none could come into
the presence of the great king, save his five-and-twenty
chamberlains, for to speak unto him, unless the great
king first desired to see him. And the messenger went
in unto the chief chamberlain, and fell to the earth;
and the lord chamberlain said, What desirest thou?
And the messenger said, A message from my lord, the
governor of Teh. And the lord chamberlain said,
Come up thither to-morrow, and I will give thee audi-
ence. So the lord chamberlain came unto the pres-
ence of the great king, and prostrated himself unto
the floor, and was as he were dead; and the king bid
him stand and speak. And the lord chamberlain said,
A message from my lord, the governor Teh. So the
king commanded a herald to read the letter from the
governor Teh, and the herald read: -
To the most potent and grand lord of earth,
child of the moon and stars, the mighty king of Kath-
aria. Let not the anger of the great king be excited
against his servant for daring to address him. May
thy life belong, and may evil take thine enemies. Lo,
at the end of the last month there came a strange and
peculiar people unto the province of thy servant. They
are of exceeding fairness, and their hair is as the golden
light of the sun shining through the mists; and their
flocks and herds are very numerous and of strange and
peculiar animals; and they are prepared unto battle,
with implements of strange manufacture; and their
king sitteth on a throne of gold and of ivory; and for
beauty of countenance he is like unto the fairest of the
—87—
daughters of the king's people. Moreover, this people
fleeth from the avenger of blood; for, lo, I send their
history by this messenger. -
Now this people are a harmless and good people,
and they desire to pass through the land of Katharia
for to reside on the islands which are over against the
land of Katharia. Let thy servant, Teh, entreat thee
that this people pass in peace and safety through thy
borders.
And when the great king heard the letter of the
governor, Teh, he commanded that the messenger of
Teh be brought in immediately, and it was done. And
when the messenger came before the king, he was as
one dead; and he fell to the ground for fear of the
great king. And the king was in a pleasant mood,
and he spake unto the messenger, saying:
Arise, and fear not. Thy king is the father of his
people, and hurteth none that doeth no wrong.
And the lord chamberlain asked him, saying:
Where is the history that the governor Teh gave
unto thee?
And the messenger plucked it forth from his bosom,
and the king commanded that it be read unto him.
Now Algoonah had told unto the governor Teh the
history of his people; and Teh was so pleased there-
with that he caused his scribes to write it. So the his-
tory was read before the great king. And when the
great king had heard it, his mind was filled with aston-
ishment, so that sleep forsook him ; and he said unto
the lord chamberlain: -
Let the scribes be quickly brought.
And he bid them to write unto Teh, saying:
Grace and peace unto my faithful and well-beloved
—88—
Teh Command that the strange people pass in safety
unto this place; and if any one cast aught in their way
let him die miserably.
And the king sealed the letter with his own hand,
and put the great seal of the land of Katharia thereon,
and bid the messenger return in haste to the governor
Teh. - -
And Algoonah spake unto Jeshurim, and unto the
elders of the people, and they thought it best to abide
there for a year, as the pasturage was good and the
climate was gentle. So the men of Kaiah cast seed in-
to the earth, even as the governor Teh desired; and
came, and went, as in their own land ; and no man did
them hurt. -
And the messenger sent by Teh, the governor, re-
turned, and bowed himself unto the ground and gave
the letter of the great king into his hand. -
Now the messenger had rode in haste, for he was the
king's messenger; and he came again at the end of a
year. And Teh opened the letter of the king, and read
therein; and he sent in haste unto Algoonah, saying,
I come on such a day, on matters of great import to
thee; and Algoonah made ready to receive him ; and
he came unto Algoonah. So they went into a secret
place, and Algoonah read the letter of the great king,
for he had learned the speech and writing of the men
of Katharia; and when he had read he gave thanks un-
to Teh, saying: -
Thou hast done us a service ; but, thy action was
nevertheless hasty. And Teh was glad of the letter,
and said unto Algoonah, keep this, and show it unto
the governors of the people, as thoujourneyest through
the land.
—89—
So Algoonah called the grand council of the people
together, and set the matter before them ; and the
council determined to exchange with the people of
Teh some of the flocks and herds, for beasts of burden
and things needful; and it pleased the governor Teh;
and he gave them of camels, an hundred and fifty
score ; and of asses, two hundred score ; and of swine,
not a few ; and Algoonah gave him of the flocks and
herds, even goats and sheep, and horses. And at the
end of the year, the men of Kaiah went unto the great
highway of the people of Katharia, that is by the great
river of the east, and Teh went forth with them a days
journey. And Teh blessed the people, and sorrowed
by reason of their departure. So Teh turned him
about and got him unto his own city; and the people
journed by way of the great river on the king's high-
way; and the merchants and the people looked upon
them in great astonishment, for they were curious and
strange in their eyes. So the people came on for the
space of six months, and they did emcamp by the way
every seventh day, and let the beasts and people rest;
and at the end of the sixth month,they encamped by the
great river and rested for the space of three months;
and at the end of three months, their beasts were fat
and well favored.
And Algoonah commanded that the people make
ready for to journey on, and the people journeyed on
for the space of eight months, and came into a goodly
place. And Algoonah was minded to rest; but, the
governor of that province was fierce and cruel in his
disposition, and he sent men to fall on the people, for
the fame of the people went before them. But when
—90— .
the soldiers of the people came near, they saw the pre-
parations for battle, and fear filled their minds, and
they would not come near unto the strange people, and
Jeshurim went forth for to speak with the general of
the soldiers, and he bid the general come in and see
the parchment of the great king.
And the general made Jeshurim swear that he should
receive no hurt; and Jeshurim swore unto him.
So the general came in ; and when he had read the
letter he fell as one dead, for he thought he should
certainly be slain of the great king; and he entreated
Jeshurim to turn away the anger of Algoonah the king
from him.
And Algoonah sat in his tent; and Jeshurim took
the general thither ; and when he saw Algoonah, he fell
to the earth and smote himself, and said, let me find
grace in the sight of the king. And Algoonah took
him up and set him on his feet, and said, Fear not, no
harm shall befall thee; and after he had spoken kindly
to him, he suffered him to depart. And the general
went in haste unto the governor, and told him of the
letter of the great king.
And the governor was moved with fear, and sent a
present of a blue robe of silk unto Algoonah ; and Al-
goonah sent unto him, saying, Peace unto my lord the
governor, all we desire is a little rest in thy border;
then will we depart in peace. So the people remained
there for the space of four months; then they got them
up and went on toward the great city of the king of
Katharia; and their journey was to eastward continually.
So the people rested on their journey from time to
time, until they came into a province of the great city of
Katharia.
—91—
Now the land was exceeding full of people, and their
houses were as stones by the sea for number, and the
people halted three days journey from the great city;
and it was told the great king, saying, The strange
men of the west cometh near ; and the great king sent
down an hundred and sixty score men, with chariots
and horsemen, and demanded the king of the strange
people to send messengers unto him.
And Algoonah sent Jeshurim and Jebal, and Strath-
miah, the brother’s son of Kaiah, unto the king; and
the messengers of Algoonah were comely young men
and fair of countenance, and their hair was dressed, and
they were clad in the blue vestments of the people of
Kaiah ; and they had golden girdles about them, and
they were armed with the cunning weapons of Kinar.
And they were brought before the great king. And
when they were come before the king they fell to the
earth, as was the custom of the people of Katharia.
And the king was so amazed at their beautiful appear-
ance that he could not take his eyes from them. And
he got him down from his throne, and lifted them up
with his own hand, and bid them be of good courage.
And he caused seats to be set beside his throne; and
he caused the young men to sit thereon. And he talked
to them of their journey. He asked them to take
meat with him ; and he entered his palace and set them
beside him, and he gave them of the king’s dish, and
they did eat. -
So the king sent the messengers with an escort of
fifty armed men, and sent Algoonah presents of rich
spices, and fine silk, and beautiful and rare birds, and
a letter of peace; and the king wrote unto Algoonah,
Saying:
—92—
The law of my palace is, that the king cannot leave
the grounds thereof; come, I pray thee, on such a day
and visit with me.
And much more did the king write.
So Algoonah made ready on the day appointed by
the great king, and went up to meet the mighty king
of the land of Katharia. And when he drew near the
city, the people all prostrated before him, for so the
great king had commanded. -
Now Algoonah rode upon a great black horse; and a
helmet of gold with peacock’s feathers thereon was on
his head; and he carried a shield and sword of gold,
and the vestment of his body was blue, and the bridle
of his horse was gold; and there rode with him Jeshu-
rim, and the other messengers he had sent, besides the
elders of the people, to the number of three score;
and the great king’s soldiers rode before and behind ;
and a herald went forth, saying:
Whoever boweth not down unto the strange king, this
day will his head be taken off. -
And they entered the great city of the land of Kath-
aria.
Now the city was exceeding great, so that a horse-
man could not encompass the wall thereof in six days’
riding. And the people of the city all fell down be-
fore Algoonah.
CHAPTER XII.
Now when Algoonah had come into the great city of
Ratharia, he was filled with amazement at the wonder-
ful things he saw there. For the palace of the great
king was of a beautiful construction, insomuch that it
shone like fire in the sun. And there were soldiers
standing round about the palace of the great king.
And when Algoonah was come out unto the gate of the
great palace, he was met by the chief lord chamberlain
of the great king; and the lord chamberlain fell on his
face, as did likewise all the people who were standing
there. And Algoonah spake unto him in his own lan-
guage, and bid him arise. And there was a mighty
sound of trumpets and curious brazen instruments
when Algoonah descended from his horse; and a fine
cloth was laid for Algoonah to walk upon. And the
lord chamberlain took him into an inner apartment of
the palace. And Algoonah washed himself and rested
from his journey. So a messenger came in unto Al-
goonah, and said:
My lord the king awaiteth the pleasure of the king
of the shepherd people, and the great king desireth to
see thee when thou art rested. - *
And the servants of Algoonah made him ready. And
they put upon him the blue robe of Kaiah, and a girdle
of gold about him ; and a golden crown they sat upon
his head, and his hair was perfumed with the scent of
precious gums ; and he held the golden sword of
Raiah.
—94—
And it was told the great king, Lo, the king of the
shepherd people awaiteth thee. So the lord chamber-
lains, even five-and-twenty, walked behind Algoonah,
and the princes and nobles of the king's household
walked beside him ; and they came into the presence of
the great king. And the great king descended from
his throne and fell upon his face, and the lord cham-
berlains, and the princes and nobles of the king’s
household did likewise; nevertheless, Algoonah re-
mained standing, for so the great king desired. And
the great king had a throne, like unto one in which he
sat himself, placed by his throne; and he sat Algoonah
thereon. And the great king was of near the age of
Algoonah, and he was of a mild disposition; albeit, he
was at times churlish, and sudden in his disposition.
And he spake unto Algoonah, saying, Since I was
born have I been in this palace and grounds, and no
farther. Thou art the first ruler I have ever seen.
My manner of eating is after a fixed manner; also my
lying down and rising up, and I durst not depart there-
from. Nevertheless, the lives of all my people are in
my hands, and no one durst question my authority.
Tell me, I pray thee, how thy people are governed.
So Algoonah spake unto him, for he knew the lan-
guage of Katharia, and told him briefly of the manners
of the people of Kaiah, and how the laws were in a
book of parchment. And the curiosity of the great
king was excited ; and he desired that Algoonah cause
the laws to be read unto him ; and Algoonah promised.
So they conversed long and pleasantly together until
the time of dining; and before dining there was a liquor
of dried herbs, spiced and well-flavored set before him ;
and a lord chamberlain entered and made obeisance;
—95—
and he took Algoonah into the bath of the king, and
the slaves did strip the garments from Algoonah, and
washed him, and anointed him, and painted his face;
and arranged him in royal robes of the house of the
great king; and they took him forth for to dine with the
great king. And the place of dining was raised from
the floor, as it were two cubits, and the top thereof
was flat, and the provender sat thereon ; and the per-
Sons who sat at meat sat also on the edge of the plat-
form. And a servant first burned sweet spices and gums,
and finely scented wood before the kings, so that the
room was filled with the fragrance thereof; and another
servant brought fine wine made from the leaves of trees .
and spices, and they did drink; and the meat was
pheasants and birds of rare delicacy, and the flesh of
swine, and fishes from the great sea. And after the
meat, there was brought, upon salvers of gold, the fin-
est fruits, and nuts and almonds, besides many curious
things that the king of the men of Kaiah had never
before seen. And at the close of the feast there was
brought, hot, in silver dishes, the liquor of a fragrant
herb. And Algoonah did eat and drink, and was satis-
fied. So the great king commanded his chamberlain
of the inner court to take Algoonah unto his place;
and it was done. -
So the night came on, and Algoonah, being tired,
was shown where he was appointed to sleep ; and the
curtains of the bed, and the sheets thereof, were of the
finest silk, which he had never known until he came
into the land of Katharia ; and the musicians were to
sing and play unto him in a further room until he
should sleep; and it was the custom of the great king,
that a soldier should stand by his bed, and one stood
–96– ---
also by Algoonah. So when the men of the great city
of Katharia heard of Algoonah and his people, they
were filled with curiosity, and the whole city was in an
uproar; and when the morning was come and Algoo-
nah had taken meat, the great king came into his pres-
ence. And Algoonah bowed himself unto the great
king, and they sat and conversed pleasantly; and Al-
goonah said, Lo, my servant Biariah is the historian of
my people, and he is with those who came up hither
with me, and if it is the will of the great king, he shall
relate in thy presence the history of my people. And
the great king was much delighted; and bid Algoonah
to fetch him hither without delay. And Algoonah
wrote unto Jeshurim, saying, Send Biariah up hither
immediately. And Biariah was fetched by a messen-
ger of the great king’s guard; and he fell before the
king. Now Biariah was shrewd and much learned,
and he spake the language of Katharia with great
ease; and Algoonah spake unto him in the language of
the people of Kaiah, and bid him be of good courage,
and speak before the great king of the history of the
men of Gehalehmot, even the men of Kaiah.
And Biariah spake before the great king, and his
oratory was great ; and he waxed warm as he spake of
the wrongs of the people; and as Biariah spake before
the great king, he was moved by the spirit of elo-
quence, and the great king was much moved, and wept
before Algoonah; and when Biariah had ceased speak-
ing, the great king commanded that his poets and his
wise men should commit the history of the people who
were shepherds, to writing, and place it in the king’s
library, beside the histories of the great kings of Kath-
al’la,
—97—
And it was done, and the great king called the noble
prince of the land of Katharia, who was the uncle of
the king, and he bid him make ready, and take Al-
goonah through the great city, and show it unto him.
So the prince made ready, and took an hundred horse-
men who were soldiers; and a chariot was made ready
for Algoonah to ride in, and the prince rode beside
him.
Now the prince was very old, and his hair was white
like unto wool; but his strength was not abated, and
he had been in many wars, with the black men of the
south ; and his disposition was fierce. Nevertheless,
he loved Algoonah, by reason of the the noble bearing
of his character, and he spake kindly unto Algoonah.
And the prince took Algoonah forth, and showed
him the great city; and there was nothing that he did
not show him ; and Algoonah saw the artizans, and
masons and Smiths at work.
So they spent seven days viewing the city; and the
prince had Algoonah unto his own house; and he pros-
trated himself and said:
Thy servant is not worthy that thou should'st enter
his dwelling. Nevertheless, thou canst abide, and
take a refreshment of meat and fine wine with me. So
they entered ; and the prince served Algoonah him-
self. r -
And the whole city was in a great commotion, by
reason of the wonderful king of the west.
Now the men of Kaiah who came with Algoonah,
rested in the palace of the lord chamberlain ; and the
king sent command that the lord chamberlains show
the city unto them, and it was done.
And the great king had large islands over against the
—98—
land, in the great sea; and the distance from the land
was four score furlongs. And he had boats and ships
without number; and men who were cunning in the
management of them. So when Algoonah came to
take leave of the great king, the great king said:
I have islands four score furlongs from the land of
Katharia, in the great sea; lo, they are thine; and I
have boats and ships without number, and cunning men
to work them, to take thy people and thy beasts
thither; and Algoonah said he would consider the
matter.
Now the islands of the great king were not inhab-
ited for the superstition of the people was against them,
for they supposed that dragons and griffons did abide
there. And Algoonah returned unto his own people,and
Algoonah sent messengers for to spy out the islands; he
also sent unto the great king, and the great king sent
men with ships to view the islands, and the men sent were
Jeshurim and Biariah, with two score others; and they
came unto the islands, and Jeshurim, and those that
were with him went forth, and viewed the largest of
the islands; and it was comely and fair and the trees
bore all manner of fruits, and birds of curious plum-
age filled the trees, and the island was an hundred
score furlongs in length, and half as wide, and Jesh-
urim was pleased ; and came back and reported to Al-
goonah ; and Algoonah was well pleased, And he sent
unto the great king, and told him he would remove un-
to the islands; and the king said it was his desire for
them to remain longer.
Nevertheless, he ordered an hundred ships to go un-
to the place of the landing; and Algoonah got him up
with all the people and came unto the place of the land-
–99–
ing ; and at the end of the fifteenth year from the time
the people left the land of Gehalehmot, they began to
embark for the islands given them by the great king of
Katharia. . .
And the people were two months in coming over with
the flocks and herds, and all their merchandise. So
they entered and possessed the larger of the islands on
the borders of the land of Katharia. And the people
were pleased with the land, and they made ready and
cast seed into the earth, of the kind used by the people
of Katharia.
Now the great king communed within himself, and
said, These people came a great distance, and perad-
venture, they have no seed; so he loaded ten ships
and sent them unto Algoonah. And when the people
had entered the island, it was fifteen years since the
people were driven forth from the city of Laheiah ; and
Kaiah had been dead for the space of three years, and
the bones of Kaiah were taken into the island, and there
were trees there ; and the people built them houses, and
there was joy among the people. And Kinar, the cun-
ning workman came unto the presence of Algoonah on
a certain day, and bowed himself. And Algoonah
bade him speak what was on his mind. And Kinar
said, Let thy servant go unto the land of Katharia,
and build ships after the manner of the workmen of
Katharia. And Algoonah was pleased ; and he wrote
unto the great king, saying, My servant Kinar beareth
this letter, and he is a cunning workman, and he de-
sireth to learn how the ships of the people of Katharia
are builded. So Kinar went in a ship that traded
with the men of Katharia, and he came unto the pres-
ence of the great king; and the great king read the
—100–
letter of Algoonah, and he said, It is well; go forth my
son, and labor with my workmen. And Kinar went
forth and wrought with the workmen for the space of
a year. And he saw that the boats and ships made by
the workmen of Katharia were unweildy. And he
went into his own country, and made ready, and made
ships and boats of a different fashion; and his boats
were swift and strong. And all the people prospered
greatly; and they went forth in their ships and explored
the island to the northward, and they found that the
islands to the far northward, were inhabited, and the
men who inhabited the islands were warlike and fierce,
and they were like unto the men of Katharia; never-
theless, they were of a savage nature. And the men
of Kaiah traded to the southward and to the northward,
and the people increased in wealth, and were at peace
with all nations.
Now the land of Katharia was an ancient land, and
Algoonah read the histories of the land; and there
were the histories of seventy-seven great kings; and
there was a great king, who was the first, and his name
was Phufhe, and he was of exceeding great stature, so
that his bed was eighteen cubits in length; and the
sword of Phufhe was in the great castle over against the
great city; and no man durst touch the sword of
Phufhe. -
And the history related how that, before Phufhe,
there was a great flood of water, which overspread all
the land of Katharia, so that all the people, save
Phufhe and his people, were destroyed; and all the
histories were destroyed; and Phufhe durst not tell
afterward of what had transpired before that. And
Phufhe lived five hundred years, and he saw all the
—101—
land fill up with people again; and there were many
mighty men in those days.
So Algoonah read the histories of Katharia, and
amused himself thereat. Nevertheless, he doubted the
truth of the histories.
So Algoonah had lived on the island for the space of
ten years.
CHAPTER XIII.
&
Now when the people had lived on the island given
them by the great king of Katharia for the space of
ten years, there was war in the land of Katharia; for
the men of the south, who were islanders and robbers,
came up and spoiled the ships of the great king.
The men of Kaiah had in all respects prospered.
Their possessions were very great, and they became
exceedingly cunning in the building and management
of ships, so that at the fifth year of their sojourn on
the island, had Algoonah sent three ships to the north-
ward, for to explore and see what lieth beyond ; for
Algoonah had heard by tradition of the men of the
islands to the north, that beyond the great seas was a
land, fine and of a gentle climate.
So at the end of the fifth year, and of the twentieth
since the people left the land of Gehalehmot, did Al-
goonah send Osurus, a valiant man, and one of good
courage, with an hundred and fifty men and three
ships, with provender and all things needful. And
Osurus fell into a current of waters that carried him
speedily away; and he sailed to the northward, and to
the eastward, for the space of a year lacking two
moons. And he frequently saw islands in the sea, but
he made no delay, only such as was needful for to
get him fresh water. And when the year came to a
close, as on a certain day he sailed still to the north-
—103–
Ward and to the eastward, he saw mountains in the dis-
tance like unto those on the borders of the land of
Katharia. And he made speed, and came unto the
land over against the mountains; and he saw where a
river of fresh and pure water came down into the sea;
So he lost no time in getting in thither with his three
ships, and the men were joyful to come on the land.
Nevertheless, the climate was exceeding cold, so that
the men were fain to cast about them heavy coats of
sheepskins, which Osurus had provided against such
peradventure.
Now the land where they came ashore was covered
with trees of strange appearance, so that the face of all
the country was hid with the forest: and they found
strange and curious animals therein, such as they had
never seen or heard of before. • And Osurus gave com-
mand that they should kill of the animals; and they
found the flesh fat and well flavored. Moreover, the
river abounded in fish, of excellent quality. And
Osurus rested there for the space of six months, and
did kill both of the beasts and fishes, and prepared the
flesh thereof by drying in the smoke. Also there came
vast numbers of curious birds, like unto the geese of
the land of Katharia; and they were in swarms like
unto the flies in the land of Assyria; and Osurus
killed of the birds, and found their flesh good.
So Osurus commanded the men to repair the ships,
and make ready for to journey on. And he builded a
large mound by the river in that land, for to commem-
orate his stay there. And the mound is over against
the sea; and in it he planted a stone with an inscrip-
tion thereon; and the mound standeth in his place
wnto this day. -
—104—
So Osurus made ready and came out unto the Sea; and
he sailed southward for the space of six months, along
the land, and he came to where the air was warm and
balmy; and he saw where there was a good landing,
even a cove in the land where the ships might lay in
safety; and he came forth out of his ships and left
them in the cove. *
After he had cast anchor, and leaving a score of
men with the ships, he went forth to view the land.
And the land was a pleasant country, insomuch that
Osurus was delighted thereat. And he went forth to
view the land, and there was fruit of the rarest there,
and plants of strange aspect ; and all was curious unto
Osurus and those that were with him. And Osurus
gave command unto those left to keep the ships before
he went away, saying: .
Go forth, and take of the fruits of the land, and of
the vegetables thereof, such as are wholesome, and
prepare an hundred and fifty lah’s weight for our use.
So Osurus went forth with the residue of the men,
with arms and all things needful ; and he journeyed
into the land for the space of a year; and many curious
things did he see, and write down in a book. And
when he had journeyed for the space of three months
he came unto exceeding high mountains; and when he
came over the mountains the land was fine for a little
season, but soon became dry and barren ; and he
turned him unto the southward and came unto a great
river. Now Osurus did continually build mounds until
he came to the river, so that he might find his way
back unto the place where the ships were. So he
rested from time to time, and they did kill of the
beasts and birds of the land. And he journeyed to the
—105—
southward for the space of two months; and he
changed his course and came eastward; and the land
was thin and barren ; nevertheless, they made shift to
subsist on the animals that came in their way; and at
the end of a year he came unto an exceeding great
river; and the land on either side for the distance of
four hundred furlongs was exceeding fine and fair; and
the men were spent by reason of the toilsome journey,
and they complained of Osurus. So the men rested
on the banks of the great river, and when the pleasant
season of the year was at hand, Osurus got him up
with the remainder of his men, for some had died,
and he built a great mound by the great river, and
placed therein stones inscribed with the history of his
movements. And when he did this, after he had been
gone from the ships a year and a-half, he got him down
and journeyed back by way of the small mounds he
had builded, and came unto the place where he had left
his ships; and he came again. And all the men were
filled with great joy; and all the time he was gone was
three years; and he got of the plants and trees of the
land, also of the skins of the beasts, to bring unto
Algoonah the king, And he set his ships and came to
the northward along the land, and encamped near by
the place where he first encamped in the strange land;
and he rested there a short season; and when he had
rested and the wind was favorable, he set himself for
to go unto the land of the men of Kaiah. So Osurus
looked forth on the land, and behold it was fine and
fair; and he called the land Mezzinaroth, which mean-
eth, in the speech of the men of Kaiah, a land where
We rest.
So there was war in the land of Katharia, by
—106–
reason of the men of the south, who were Islanders
and robbers. And the great king sent forth his ships
unto the south ; and the islanders, in their boats, did
put the men of Katharia to the sword, so that but few
got back to tell the story; and the islanders prevailed
and burned one of the cities of Katharia, and took the
substance of the people of the town, who fled in dismay.
So the great king sent unto Algoonah for to help him ;
And Algoonah reasoned with himself, saying: if these
people are not punished, they will come up hither and
spoil my land. So Algoonah made ready forty ships,
and came into the Sea of the South ; and when the boats
of the islanders came over against the men of Kaiah,
Jeshurim threw balls of burning pitch into their boats,
and the men of the South leaped forth into the sea, for
they were filled with terror. And Jeshurim came unto
their principal city, and he threw balls of burning pitch
therein, with cunning machines that Kinar had made,
until not a house was left standing. And the people
besought Jeshurim to leave them. So Jeshurim made
a treaty with the men, and took their king’s son as a
hostage, and then sailed unto his own land; and there
was rejoicing in all the land of Katharia; so that the
people gave thanks unto Algoonah for his services. So
there was peace again in all the nations; and they sent
caravans across the land of Katharia, unto the land of
Arabia, for spices, and gold and ivory, and peacocks;
and the riches of the men of Kaiah waxed great, and
their numbers increased continually.
And when eleven years was past, lo, on a certain day
were three strange ships seen over against the island,
and when they drew near it was told Algoonah that
Osurus and his men were at hand. So they came
—107—
apace unto the landing, and they did cast anchor and
came ashore. And there was great rejoicing because
of the safe return of so many; albeit, there was much
sorrow for those who were dead. And all the time
that Osurus was gone was six years. And Osurus
came in unto the palace of Algoonah, and bowed him-
self; and then, at the command of Algoonah, he read
of the history of his voyage; and he brought the skins
of the beasts, and the plants and stones of the strange
land; and he laid them before Algoonah.
So the mind of Algoonah was filled with astonish-
ment, and he called certain of his wise men, and laid
the matter before them ; and they all wondered at the
marvelous story of Osurus. And Algoonah made ready
fifty ships, staunch and well built, and gave Osurus
charge to provide such things as were needful. And
Algoonah put the whole matter into the hands of
Osurus; and he got him a thousand chosen men, and
at the end of another year he went forth at the com-
mand of Algoonah to further explore the land of Mez-
Zinaroth. º
So Osurus went forth and came without accident
unto the place of his first encampment; and after rest-
ing he came to the southward for the space of six
months, unto the place of the cove in the land where
he left the ships before. Now Osurus brought beasts
of burden, even two ship loads, for to bear him and
his merchandise; and he waited for the proper season,
and came over against the mountains, after leaving an
hundred men to keep the ships. So he came over the
mountains unto the plain beyond ; and he made speed
and came unto the great river of the land of Mezzina-
roth, even to the place where he had builded the great
—108—
mound; and the land was fair, and Osurus left four
hundred men, and commanded them to cast seed in the
earth; and he journeyed down the great river for to
explore it. So the men who were left cast seed of all
kinds into the earth at the proper season. And Osu-
rus went forth for to view the land, and after he had
journeyed for certain days he came unto where the
great river went into another still more great and
mighty; and after the two rivers come together, lo,
they take a course unto the southward. And he jour-
neyed down the river for the space of two months; and
the land was of a pleasant and delightful appearance;
and strange beasts were there, and the songs of strange
birds filled the air. So at the end of the second month
Osurus turned him about and came back, being satis-
fied that the land was a well-favored land, and also his
mind was satisfied that there were no men abiding in
that land. So he came unto the place where he had
left the four hundred men, and the crops of corn and
rye and millet, which they had planted, did exceeding
well, so that they could not bring away one-tenth part ;
so they abode there a year, and built them houses.
And when Osurus came to leave, the four hundred men
were minded to stay ; and they made Osurus sware
that he would return in ten years. And he left them
beasts, both male and female, and got him back unto
the land of the men of Kaiah.
CHAPTER XIV.
Now at the end of the twentieth year of the sojourn
of the people of Kaiah on the islands given them by the
great king of Katharia, lo, did Osurus return unto the
land; and he had been gone the space of eight years.
And he came in unto Algoonah and told him of what he
had done, how that he had explored the valley of the
great river, and had left four hundred men for to keep
the land.
And Algoonah called the grand council of the peo-
ple together, and laid the matter before them, which
he had had in his mind for a long time; and the matter
was this: For these many years had Algoonah been
dissatisfied with the position of the people ; for said he,
Who knoweth when the great king of Katharia will re-
quire tribute of us for the islands whereon we reside ;
let us go forth and seek new lands where we may abide
in peace, while the earth remaineth. Lo, our servant
Osurus, hath gone forth at my command, and hath
found a pleasant land wherein no man abideth. Let
us go thither with all our people, and abide there for-
ever. And the grand council came together and heard
the words of Algoonah the king, and they considered
and said, What the king saith is good, and we have
much gold and silver; let us buy ships and useful ani-
mals, and corn, and wine, and go down thither ; and it
was agreeable in the eyes of Algoonah what the grand
council advised.
109 .
—110—
So Algoonah called on the people to gather together
one half of all the gold and silver, for to prepare to re-
move unto the land of Mezzinaroth.
And the tax gatherers went abroad throughout the
land, and they gathered of the gold and the silver an
immense amount; and Algoonah sent unto all nations
and kindreds and people, and did buy of them such
things as would be of benefit, and use unto him and
his people. And of the great king of Katharia did he
buy an hundred and fifty ships; also, all manner of
useful beasts and animals. So he made ready, and at
the end of five years, he had equipped three hundred
ships, and one hundred were filled with beasts and ani-
mals, and their provender, and the residue were filled
with the people to the number of forty thousand, men,
women and children.
And Algoonah spake unto Jeshurim, saying, take
command of the people who go into the land of Mez-
zinaroth, and go down thither with them. So the ships
departed by threes; as quickly as one departed so three
more followed behind ; the space of forty furlongs be-
tween threes; and so the people departed in families
to the number of forty thousand, and they came with-
out accident unto the place of the first land, even the
place of the great mound, by the river of the north.
And they made speed and came unto the place of the
second landing; and the people came unto the cove
and got them out of the ships, and stood on the land,
and the time was in the spring time of the year.
And after the people had rested, and the animals
were refreshed, Osurus went before the people, by
the way of the mounds he had formerly builded, and
came through the low place in the mountains, over in-
—111—
to the plain ; and the women and the children were set
upon the beasts of burden; and they came by way of
the plain, and drew near unto the place where Osurus
had left the four hundred, and the heart of Osurus was
much cast down, for he spake, saying, Peradventure
disease hath smitten the people, or there may be sav-
age men therein, that I wot not of, and they have
Smote our brethern. - -
Now, there was with Osurus the wives and little ones
of the four hundred, and they were filled with heavi-
ness. And as one of the four hundred looked across
the plain, as was their wont continually, he saw an in-
numerable company coming, and he called unto his fel-
lows and told them of the matter,and they quickly made
ready, and came forth with spears and helmets, think-
ing it must be a strange people; and they came apace
and saw Osurus, and the white beard of his face, and
the men set up a great shout, and ran to meet the peo-
ple with songs and shouts of thanksgiving; and there
was a great noise of shouting and weeping for the wives
and children met the men as from death.
And the men had built houses and worked discreetly,
and they had much provisions, even the dried flesh of
beasts, and of birds and of fishes, as well as corn, and
many kinds of wholesome plants; and Jeshurim gave
command, and they began at once, and laid the foun-
dation of a great city. But Osurus turned him about
and returned unto the place of the ships, for he had
left men sufficient to manage the ships on their return.
So Osurus came again unto Algoonah, and told him
how he had prospered, and also the four hundred men
who he had left in the land of Mezzinaroth, and the
four hundred had written unto Algoonah, and told him
—112—
of their love and regard for him ; and all the time that
Osurus was gone was five years.
Now, about the end of the twentieth year of the so-
journ of the people on the islands, there was born unto
Algoonah, a son, and the child was comely and of good
strength; and Algoonah took him in his arms before
the people, and the people rejoiced and Said, Long live
the young prince of the men of Kaiah, and his name
was called Jeboran, which in the speech of Kaiah,
meaneth of mighty strength. So the lad grew and
prospered; and there were men appointed to care for
him, and preserve him from danger.
Now, when Servinus came out of the land of Moz-
man, he went unto Meshrodach, the governor of the
land of Gehalehmot, and said:
The yellow men have fallen on the men of Gehaleh-
mot, and lo, none remain Save thy servant and these
four hundred men, with their women and children.
Let me, I pray thee, abide in a corner of this land.
And Meshrodach looked upon him, and said:
How camest thou to escape, seeing the yellow men
fell upon thee and thy people?
And Meshrodach looked hard upon him, and said:
Art thou not the one who kept the horses of my
father, Merodach P And art thou not he who came
into this land after the return of my brother Shalma-
nezer, with a plausible story in thy mouth 2
And all the cunning of Servinus could not keep him,
and he trembled before the governor. And Meshro-
dach bid him begone with his people, and if he came
thither again much evil would befall him.
So Servinus turned him about with his people and
fled, and he durst not come through the land of Assyria,
—113—
so he departed another way, and came over against the
great sea of the west and encamped there. And the
land was fair to see, and the people who lived there
were not a warlike people. And Servinus encamped
before the city of Amascui, and laid siege thereto; and
the people of Amascui made terms with him, and they
fled over the borders of the land. .
Now Servinus found that the city was not large, and
there were not many people therein at the first, and he
went not further, but abode in the city of Amascui.
And he and his people went forth and tilled the land,
and took of the fruits thereof, and entrenched the city
and made it strong. And at the end of ten years, he
went forth and crossed the river toward the great sea;
and he fought the men of Jebal, and drave them be-
fore him and possessed their land; and he laid the
foundation of the city of Salem, over against the river
as thou goest down toward the great sea; and he
dwelt therein; and he sent abroad, and made peace
with the men of the land.
So Servinus prospered,
And Osurus came unto his own land, and Algoonah
had made ready ships to the number of five hundred
more, and all the people made ready ; and they loaded
four hundred ships with provender, even corn and
things needful; and also of beasts not a few. And
there departed another fifty thousand of the people in
ships, in threes as they had done before. And Al-
goonah still remained on the islands, for, said he
I will not leave until the last.
So the people departed continually from the islands
for the space of six years; and they left not of the
—114—
stuff as much as a handful. And at the last Algoonah
took his wife and his children, and entered into the
ships with the last of his people.
And so at the end of the forty-fifth year from the
time the people left the land of Gehalehmot, did Al-
goonah leave the islands for the land of Mezzinaroth ;
and they came apace unto the place where Osurus first
landed ; and further, unto the place of the second land-
ing. And all the people remained at the place of the
second landing until Algoonah should arrive; and they
had broken the ships, such as were not needed, and
built for themselves houses therewith ; and there was
much rejoicing when Algoonah came unto the landing.
Now the lad Jeboran was of the age of ten years,
... and his strength was as the strength of a full grown
man, and no man could tempt him. And Algoonah
set teachers over him, and he grew in strength and wis-
dom continually. And so all the people were in the
land of Mezzinaroth ; and Algoonah caused the people
to build a city at the place of the landing; and the city
was of a temporary character; and Algoonah Said
within himself: I will deal no more with the people of
the earth; and he destroyed all the ships. And in this
manner did the men of Kaiah disappear from the his-
tory of the world.
And the people that chose to remain at the place of
the landing were an hundred and fifty thousand, and
the number of all the people was seven hundred thou-
sand, men, women and children.
So Algoonah left Osurus for governor, and all the
people went over by way of the mountains, and came
over unto the place of the residue of the people; and
Jeshurim was governor there; and it was told him that
—115—
Algoonah corneth apace, and he ran forth and fell on
his face. And Algoonah lifted him up and embraced
him, and kissed him, and wept on his neck. And there
was great prosperity in the land, for it was parcelled
out among the people as each had need. And on a
certain day Algoonah went forth and viewed all the
land which the people had taken, and he felt pleased
and well satisfied. And Algoonah sent Jeshurim down
unto the place where the great river meets the one still
greater, and told him to fix a place for the chief city.
So Jeshurim went forth and came where the great
rivers met, and he went a half day’s journey down the
greater river and found a goodly place among the hills;
and he builded a mound there to mark it, and came
again unto Algoonah.
So at the spring time of the next year, Algoonah
sent many cunning workmen with Kinar to command
them, for to build a chief city there. So there was
much forest there, and the people laid stones, and
hewed trees, and builded a house for Algoonah; and
there was a mound builded there of great size, and in
it was made a chamber; and they did lay therein the
bones of king Kaiah, as he had commanded; and there
was a house built, and in the next year did Algoonah
come thither with fifty thousand of the people to see
the place; and the land was good ; and there came in
all the next year five hundred thousand of the people;
and they abode in all the valley of the land. And Al-
goonah set governors over the people.
And the land to the westward, even by the great sea,
was called the land of Osurus. And the land by the great
river, where the four hundred were, was under Bia-
riah ; and where the great city of Algoonah was builded
—116—
was called after the name of Jeshurim, for he was
governor. And the people cast seed into the earth,
and increased and multiplied; and twice a year did
heralds go forth unto the land of Osurus. r
Now the people brought out much stuff from the
land of Katharia; and their wealth was great.
And the great king of Katharia sent unto Algoonah
for to speak with him ; and the messengers returned
and said, Lo, the strange people are all gone, the houses
are empty, and of merchandise there is not an handful
left. And the great king was filled with sorrow and
astonishment; and he sent his trusty prime minister
and he went and found it as the messengers had said.
And the great king caused it to be written in a book.
And so did the men of Kaiah disappear from the
history of the world, even to this day.
CHAPTER XV.
So the people came in and occupied the land of Mez-
zinaroth. And Algoonah was sixty and seven years
old; and all the people loved and respected him, so
that there was never a king in all the land or among
all the nations and kindreds of the earth, that was so
beloved by his people as Algoonah. And he ruled with
moderation and wisdom, and the people were prosper-
ous and happy.
The lad Jeboran, when he was sixteen years old,
went forth for to kill of the wild beasts of the land;
and he was mighty in stature and strength, so that no
two men of the strongest durst meet him. And as he
journeyed forth in quest of the beasts of the forest,
there came forth to meet him a large and savage beast;
and the beast came raging upon Jeboran ; and he cast
at the beast an arrow like unto the staff of an herds-
man; but the beast minded it not but sprang upon him ;
and Jeboran seized the beast by the skin of his back,
and hurled him unto the earth, so vehemently that the
life departed from him ; and he took the skin from the
beast, and brought it unto his mother Atomia. And he
was at the time of the age of sixteen years.
And on a certain day Jeboran went forth to view the
men at work in the field.
And there were certain men who knew of his
strength, and they tempted him, and said, This boy
thinketh to leave the presence of women and come with
117
—118–
the men; and the spirit of Jeboran kindled within him,
and he took up one of the largest of the men and cast
him on the earth so that his legs were broken ; and
when Jeboran saw that the man lay as one dead, he
arose hastily and fled, thinking that he was slain; and
he fled unto the northward and departed from the
place.
Now Algoonah had no sons save Jeboran : and the
matter was told unto Algoonah, and he rent his clothes,
and sent forth his trusty men, saying, Whoso bringeth
the lad in safety, him will I make a prince, and a son of
the house of Algoonah, .
And he sent unto Biariah, if happily he might have
gone up hither. But when the messenger came unto
Biariah and he made diligent search, he rent his clothes
and lamented for the lad. And Algoonah sat in sor-
row and heaviness, and he sent forth to the westward,
to the northward and to the southward ; and the men
penetrated far into the wilderness; and they came back
and told Algoonah that the lad could not be found.
And Algoonah made lamentation, and said, How is
the hope of my declining years baffled; and the high
things brought to naught. Lo, I builded in vain, for the
pride and strength of my life is gone. The wild beasts
of the forest shall mangle the fair limbs of my beloved
offspring; and despair and darkness follow me
unto the end of time; behold everything earthly cometh
to naught, and there is no continuing of that which is
lovely and good. I go down in Sorrow and darkness,
even as did Kaiah and Amarah.
So Algoonah wept a long time, and Atomia his wife,
came in unto where Algoonah was, and comforted
him.
—119—
So he caused three mounds to be builded, to com-
memorate Jeboran ; and he went forth after he had
washed himself, and stood before the people and judged
them as was his wont. *
Now Atomia, the mother of Jeboran, believed not
that harm would come unto him, for she knew his wis-
dom and his strength; nevertheless,she sorrowed much
by reason of his absence. - -
Now the land was divided among the people in par-
cels, and part of the people stayed by the great sea,
even in the place of the second landing of Osurus, and
Osurus was the governor; and Osurus was a good man,
who loved the people, and dealt justly; and it was he
who fled from the presence of Aristoblah, the young
king of Mozman ; and he was also chief general of the
hosts of Mozman ; and Kaiah changed his name unto
Osurus. -
Now Osurus was old and much stricken of years,
and his strength departed from him ; and he sent unto
Algoonah, and blessed him, and commanded his herald
to go forth unto the great city of Algoonah ; and he
wrote unto the king, saying, Behold, the days of thy
servant are as smoke that ascendeth, and goeth forth to
be gathered together no more ; send, I pray thee, and
set a new governor over this people. And the mess-
enger went in haste, and came in unto Algoonah. And
Algoonah was filled with sorrow, by reason of the let-
ter of . Osurus; and he sent and set Morah over the
province of Osurus when he should die.
And Morah was of the household of Kaiah, even the
son of Kaiah’s brother, and he was of a valiant
spirit, but hasty in his disposition. And when the
messenger of Algoonah came, he held a parchment
—120–
sealed with the seal of Algoonah. And Osurus broke
the seal, and read the letter of the king before the peo-
ple; and the people were pleased, and carried Morah
forth and set him in a high place; and Morah lifted up
his voice and spake unto the people for the space of an
hour; and when he was done, the people all set up a
great shout, saying, Long live Morah, the son of the
house of Kaiah.
And Osurus had parcelled out the land among the
people, even so much as each man desired; and the
people cast seed into the earth, and reaped in abund-
ance; and Osurus turned forth of the beasts, and let
them go whithersoever they listed; and the beasts mul-
tiplied greatly; and the people of the land of Osurus
had fruits, such as the people on the other side over
against the mountains knew not of ; and they dried of
the fruit, and they took thereof, and also of gold and
silver and of precious stones, and made traffic with the
men of the other side; and prosperity filled the land,
and the people increased and multiplied greatly.
On a certain day, Algoonah called the heads of the
people together, and convened them in grand coun-
cil.
And Algoonah sat upon a throne made of gold and
of silver from the land of Osurus, and sandal wood .
and satin wood from the land of Katharia ; and upon
his head was the golden crown of Kaiah ; and his hair
was like unto fine wool for whiteness.
And the great palace of Algoonah was six score cub-
its in compass; and the four sides thereof were four
and twenty columns, like unto the trees of the forest;
and the roof thereof rested upon the columns.
And there was an inner court, and on either hand
—121—
were doors; and on the northward was the great aud-
ience chamber of the people; and on the left was the
room of Algoonah ; and round about the palace were
there all manner of trees and fruits, and rare kinds
grew in their season; and there was builded there a
great city, and the city was filled with the people. And
Algoonah called the grand council to order, and caused
the golden trumpet of the ancient princes of Gehaleh-
mot to blow ; and there was silence, deep and long,
among the people; and Algoonah, stood up and spake
unto the people, saying:
Great and marvelous is the history of ye people of
Raiah ; many dangers and troubles have ye passed
through ; yet, nevertheless, ye are come into a land,
mighty by reason of its vast extent; and also by rea-
son of its fertility ye are come out here; and have not
the men of the world to face you. The land lieth be-
fore you in his richness, and ye have but to choose
where ye may cast seed and the fatness of the land
waiteth for ye to take thereof.
That ye may be strengthened in mind this day, I
have commanded that Biariah read of the history of
the ancient people of Gehalehmot. And Biariah stood
up before the people, and read from parchments that
he had prepared, for the ancient history was lost; and
he said:
Now it came to pass in the two hundred and fortieth
age of the world, that there was a king did reign in the
land of Phoenicia, and his name was Dorus; and he
was a mighty man of valor, and he was of exceeding
great stature, and he was fierce and cruel; and all the
men of Phoenicia feared Dorus exceedingly, and they
trembled and fled from his presence. And Dorus went
—122—
forth and smote the nations of the earth, so that they
quaked in dread at his name; and he laid tribute on
the nations around, and they paid him gladly. And
no man durst stand before him. And whoso displeased
Dorus of his people, him did Dorus send for, and he
giveth unto the offender an exceeding sharp sword;
and Dorus would compel him to cut himself withal
until he died ; and if he refused, then would Dorus
command his servants, first to take out the offender’s
eyes, then his tongue, then his thumbs and great toes,
then his fingers and toes, then his arms and legs, and
lastly his head.
So Dorus was a cruel and revengeful tyrant, and it
so happened that there lived one Minas, a great and
upright man, who did that which was right; and Minas
went and came, and feared not the great king Dorus;
and he was a worker in iron.
So it came to pass that Dorus heard that the king of
Creta had a daughter that was fairer than the fairest in
all the land ; and the heart of Dorus lusted after the
daughter of the king of Creta ; and he sent down
thither and asked the daughter of the king in mar-
riage. And when the king of Creta had received the
messenger of Dorus, and heard the demand of the king
of Phoenicia, his anger kindled within him, and he
said:
Nay, tell the king Dorus that the thing he asketh is
not reasonable.
Now Dorus, besides being of such brutal disposition,
was old, and of a hideous appearance ; for in battle had
a spear put out one of his eyes, and his face was rough
and forbidding. And so the king of Creta made ready
—123—
for battle ; for well he knew that Dorus would come
apace and spoil his land.
Now Dorus, besides being very cruel, was also very
cunning, and it pleased his mind to take the daughter
of the king of Creta by craft rather than by battle; For,
said he within himself, The king of Creta will kill his
Jaughter rather than she should marry me.
So Dorus had those about him who were as cruel
and crafty as himself, and he sent them forth into the
land of Creta, saying:
Take from the king of Creta the daughter of his
that is a young and fair virgin. Lo, she goeth every
morning unto the bath; bring her up hither, and I will
give thee so and so much gold.
So the men went down unto the land of Creta, and
they fell in and wrought with a vine dresser, nigh unto
the bath of the king's daughter. g
And the king of Creta sent and had them arrested
and brought into his presence ; and he demanded who
they were, for he knew by the color of their faces that
they were of the land of Phoenicia. And they told him
that they fled from the vengeance of the king,
Dorus of Phoenicia, for, saith the one who was speaker
for the rest :
Thy servant was barber unto the king Dorus ; and on
a certain day, as I was shaving the beard from his
face, the skin of his face was cut, and he arose and
sware that I should die with my brethren ; and we
arose and came in haste by way of the plain and of
the sea, and we desire thy protection.
And when the king had heard the story, he was
minded to let them go. Nevertheless, he caused
—124—
them to be strictly watched; and they went forth and
wrought with the vine dresser.
So the spies remained quiet until the suspicions of
the king had abated. And on a certain day, as the
daughter of the king went into the bath, her servants
lingered behind; and the men of Dorus arose, and laid
hands upon her, and tied a girdle about her face, and
placed her in a sack, such as the dressers of the vine
hath, and went forth in by-ways toward the place
of the landing, toward the land of Phoenicia. And
they got boats, and came forth toward the land of
Dorus. And as they went, there were certain fisher-
men who saw them, and they moved warily ; and the
fishermen fell on them, demanding where they went ;
for the fishermen supposed they were stealing. And
they took the sack, and lo, the king’s daughter was
therein. And they smote the men of Dorus lustily, so
that one died, and the rest fled in dismay.
And the daughter of the king was nearly dead, by
reason of fright; and she lay as one dead. And the
fishermen brought her unto their place, and the wives
of the fishermen cured her.
And the fishermen were of the land of Ammon.
And the daughter of the king lay for a long time as
one dead, and spake not, by reason of her fever.
CHAPTER XVI.
Now the servants of the king's daughter had re-
turned, and found that the young maiden had gone;
they made a great uproar, and did search the grounds
and all the surrounding houses. &
And it was told unto the king that his daughter was
gone. And it was found also that the ill-favored men
were gone; and the mind of the king of Creta was filled
with sorrow and indignation, for he knew that she
had been stolen by the emissaries of the king of Phoe-
nicia. And he sent forth and made proclamation con-
cerning the matter; and sent unto his friend Artaman,
the king of Lystra, and made preparations to speedily
go into battle with the king Dorus.
Nevertheless, the space of four months passed before
they went into battle. And he marched forth speedily,
and came over unto the sea, as thou goest unto the
land of Phoenicia ; and he camped there by the sea,
and prepared to cross over in boats and ships, for to
meet the king Dorus. -
Now the messengers that Dorus had sent, came and
told him what had occurred, and the king Dorus was
filled with wrath at them, and he gave unto them sharp
swords for to slay themselves withal, save one, who he
reserved for to show him where the maiden was taken
by the fishermen. º
And Dorus sent forth an hundred chosen men for to
get the maiden; and they went forth, and came unto
the place of the fishermen.
125
—126—
Now the young maiden had not recovered from her
distemper in which she had been thrown. Neverthe-
less, she had returned unto her reason, and told the
fishermen what had occurred, and who she was ; and the
fishermen marveled greatly.
So the men of Dorus came down and fell upon the
fishermen, and drave them off, and took a daughter of
one of the fishermen, instead of the young princess, for
she was changed by reason of her sickness; and they
brought the fisherman’s daughter unto the city of King
Dorus. And she was also of a beautiful carriage, and
very lovely to behold, but she was as a demoniac by
reason of her being captured; and she drave away
those that were set over her. And Dorus called Minas
the just man, who was also a worker in iron, for to
make strong bars and fetters for the maiden. Now
Minas was a youth who was of the household of
Gehalehmot, and Gehalehmot was the aunt of the king
Dorus and according to the laws of the land of Phoe-
nicia, should have been ruler; but Dorus had her put
to death, and reigned in her stead ; and this was when
Dorus was twenty years old ; and the son of Gehaleh-
mot was hidden from the king, and he knew not
Minas as the grandson of Gehalehmot. So Minas
came unto the king, not knowing the cause for which
he was sent, but he feared not Dorus; and Dorus told
him that his beloved daughter had become demoniac,
and that evil spirits had taken possession of her, and
that he desired to bind her with fetters and bars.
So Minas wrought in the king’s chamber, and made
fetters to hold the maiden; but the maiden got oppor-
tunity and spake unto Minas in the speech of Phoeni-
cia, and told him her story. And Minas was enamored
—127—
of the maiden, and told her that he would cause her
rescue. Now Minas knew all the bolts and fastenings
of the king’s house; and when the night was come, he
came Secretly, and unfastened the bolts, and came where
the maiden was ; and she went with him, and he departed
speedily on a camel, by way of the sea, unto where the
fishermen were. And he rested not, but came and
got to the land of the fishermen in three days’ jour-
ney. And the father and mother of the maiden were
overjoyed, and they embraced Minas. And Minas
loved the maiden; and her parents gave her to him,
and they were betrothed immediately. *.
And the number of the fishermen was an hundred
and fifty men, women and children. And Minas called
them, and stood up and spake, saying, Well do I know
the king Dorus; and he will be upon us, and will make
your habitations a dung-hill, and will put you and all
of us unto the sword, and that very speedily. And
While he yet spake, lo, an army was seen coming
across the waters in haste; and when they came nearer,
the daughter of the king of Creta gave a joyful shout,
and said, Behold, the ships and people of my father.
And the king’s boat came up, and the king was therein;
and the king was covered with mourning; and he came
forth on the land; and when the king's daughter saw
him, she ran joyfully to meet him, and embraced him
and told him she had received no hurt. And the king
was beside himself with joy, and he embraced and
kissed his daughter; and he gave command that she
should be taken back into her own land.
And the king sware that he would overrun the land
of Phoenicia. And he first made a treaty of friendship
with the fishermen; and they made ready to march
—128—
upon the land of Phoenicia, first sending his daughter
back into her own land with a strong escort. And he
moved with the army of Creta and that of Lystra, a
day’s journey toward Phoenicia; and there were thirty
thousand men; and the ships were left at the place of
the fishermen.
Now Dorus had made ready a chosen band of men,
and came down, expecting the king of Creta would
come forth to fight him ; and the men of Phoenicia
were splendid men and very courageous; and they met
the men of Creta and of Lystra; and the men of Creta
and Lystra could not stand before them.
Now Minas was in the army of Creta, and he came
in haste unto the place of the fishermen, and bid them
hasten unto the mountains and secrete themselves, for
the king Dorus would surely destroy them. So they
made haste unto a sure place. And the army of Creta
and Lystra withstood the army of Phoenicia until night;
then, as the army of Phoenicia rested, they came down
unto their boats and went across the sea; for it was
narrow, and only the space of ten furlongs, unto the
land of Creta.
And when the morning was come, Dorus saw that
the army of Creta had fled; and he was filled with
wrath, and came down unto the sea ; and he burned
the houses of the fishermen with fire ; and went into
his own city for to prepare to war against the men of
Creta. y -
Now the fishermen were of the land of Ammon; and
they paid tribute unto Dorus, for the land of Ammon
was not mighty; and the fishermen durst not return,
but came into the hill country, and wrought with the
shepherds over against the mountains for the space of
—129–
four years; and at the end of that time the shepherds
divided their flocks and herds with them, and bid them
go out from among them ; for the pasturage did some-
times fail by reason of a lack of rain.
So the fishermen durst not return, for fear of Dorus,
and they journeyed to the northward and to the west-
ward, and came unto a new and strange land; and
they drave their flocks and herds before them, and
lived in tents. And thus they did journey for the
space of three years; and they came unto the land of
the hills over against the mountains, and they rested .
there. And no man abode there; and the land belonged
unto Hykos, king of AEgyptus; and the people rested
there. And Minas was governor of the people; and
he called the place the land of Gehalehmot. And the
land was exceeding fair to see; and all the plain below,
unto the great seas, was the land of Ninus of Assyria.
So Dorus returned unto his own land, and made
ready a great armament, and came by the way of the
sea, and came forth unto the land of Creta ; and the
kings of Creta and Lystra came forth to meet him. And
there was a man of Creta of exceeding agility, and he
slang stones an hundred cubits, and hit an hand’s
breadth ; and as the armies went to battle, he took a
stone and when he saw Dorus, he slang a stone and
smote Dorus, and Dorus fell down; and his young men
took him up and fled. And when the army of Dorus.
saw that he had fallen, they fled; and the army of
Creta and Lystra fell upon them, and smote them lust-
ily; and they came at nightfall unto the place of their
ships, and they came away from the place in haste;
and Dorus did not die, but lay roaring; and the prime
minister of Dorus took a sword, and went in, and smote
—130—
off his head. And Eucalus did reign on the throne of
Phoenicia in the room of Dorus, and the people had
rest. -
So when the king of Creta had driven off the men of
Phoenicia, he sent unto the fishermen for to bring them
unto his country, but they had fled, and thus did Biar-
iah read unto the men of Kaiah until the the going
down of the sun, and Algoonah bid him rest until an-
other time.
Now it came to pass that Osurus died, and Morah
was governor in the land of Osurus in his stead, even
as Algoonah had appointed. And the people mourned
for Osurus thirty days, and word was brought unto
Algoonah, and he made proclamation that there should
be mourning all over the land, and it was so, for the
people loved Osurus, for it was he who first explored
the land of Mezzinaroth.
And there was naught heard of the lad Jeboran, and
his father mourned for him as one dead.
Now when Jeboran fled he came unto Erech, who
was of his own age; and Erech was the friend of Jeb-
oran, and Jeboran told Erech what he had done, and he
must flee, for according unto the law made by the
fathers in the land of Gehalehmot, he that sheddeth
blood without cause shall surely die; and Erech said,
Lo, I will go with thee.
And Erech hid Jeboran, and made ready and took
arms and things needful, and came unto where Jeboran
was, and they departed to the northward and to the
eastward, and journeyed through the wilderness, and
they came for the space of one moon and rested on the
shore of a sea, and the waters thereof was wholesome,
—131—
and not like unto the waters of the great sea to the
the westward.
And they rested there, and did eat of the fruit of the
forest and of the flesh of beasts that they slew in the
forest, and also of fish from the sea ; and their arms
were spent, and Jeboran made arrows of stone, and
axes of stone, and such things as were needful ; and
they had builded a house over against the waters of the
sea; and they made garments of the skins of the beasts
which they had killed; and while they were in the for-
est on a certain day, lo, there came an immense beast,
and the form thereof was terrible, and he had horns
like unto the handles of a spear for length, and the
horns came from his mouth, and his height was as it
were ten cubits.
And Jeboran and Erech fled in dismay, and went in-
to a high tree and climbed thereon ; and the beast went
into the water and drank, and went his way in peace ;
and the hearts of the lads were filled with terror, by
reason of the appearance of the beast, and they came
not down for the space of a whole day; and they came
into their house and held consultation, and did agree
to remove hence.
Nevertheless, they saw the beast no more, for he
went unto the southward, and they still abode there un-
til the falling of the leaves.
CHAPTER XVII.
The people were all gathered together within the
great hall of the palace of Algoonah.
When the golden trumpet sounded there was silence
and Biariah stood up and read unto the people, of the
ancient history of the men of Gehalehmot.
Lo, Minas and his people were settled in the hill
country, over against the mountains.
And Minas heard how that the land belonged unto
the king of Aegyptus. +.
So Minas sent ten trusty men unto Hykos the king
of Aegyptus, for to get the land from him.
Now the messengers took beasts and came by the
way of the desert, even two moon’s jonrney; and they
drew nigh unto the land of Aegyptus, and they came
over the river of Aegyptus and encamped thereon ; and
they came into the presence of Hykos the great king;
and he spake kindly unto them.
But they wist not what he said, and neither did the
king understand their speech, for they spake in the
language of Phoenicia.
When Hykos perceived that they understood not, he
called of his wise and learned men for to converse with
them ; and no man could understand them until there
came a slave and bowed himself before the king, and
said:
132
—133—
If it please the great king,thy servant comprehendeth
their speech ; for lo, they are of the land of Phoe-
nicia. - & : .*
And the king commanded that the slave be taken
out and washed, and shaved, and a clean raiment put
upon him, so that he might stand in the presence of
the king; and he further commanded that there be a
good place prepared for the men.
So when the morning was come, they were brought
before the king, and the king commanded the slave
who was called Phores, to speak unto the men to see
what they desired.
Therefore, Phores spake unto them in the speech of
Phoenicia; and the men spake again unto Phores, and
told him whence they came, and how they had settled in
the land over against the mountains, beyond the land of
Ninus of Assyria; and they further besought the king
to let them remain there. &
When Phores had heard their message, he turned him
unto the king and related what the men had said.
Now, therefore, when Hykos the king had heard the
story he was much astonished, and turned him unto
his scribe, and bid him engrave the history of the fish-
ermen and of Minas on a pillar of stone, and he did
so ; and the pillar of stone with the history thereon,
remaineth in the land of Aegyptus, even until this
day. *
When the king had heard the story, he gave com-
mand that there be , written a parchment giving unto
Minas and his seed forever, the land over against the
mountains, from one border, even unto the other ; and
that the men thereof be protected through all coming
time.
––134—
And Phores told unto the men what the king com-
manded, and they were filled with joy.
When the men were finished speaking unto the king,
he commanded that Phores stand before him ; and the
king spoke unto Phores, saying: -
Thou art no more a slave, but free from this hour,
by reason of thy shrewdness and wisdom, and no man
durst any more lay tasks upon thee.
And Phores fell before the king, and gave thanks
unto him ; and Phores besought the king for to go with
the men, and the king commanded him to do as seemed
best unto him.
So when the men went forth, Phores went also with
them.
As the men with Phores prepared to go forth, the
king sent and gave unto them twenty she camels, and
twenty he camels, with an herd of sheep from the best
from all the land of Aegyptus. And he laid on the
camels loads of grain, and honey, and oil, besides
changes of raiment; and Hykos blessed them, and
sent them forth ; and they came on, and in proper time
came unto their own land. And Minas received them
gladly, and he gave Phores welcome, and set him a
place in the land. '
So Phores took of the daughters of the people a
wife, and became as one of the people, and he was
then twenty-five years old.
Minas commanded the people for to sow, as every
man had ability; and at the time of harvest the land
was filled with grain; and he commanded that there
be granaries made to hold it, and it was done.
Now there were a people living over against the
great river of Assyria, and they were of the household
—135—
of Faimos, and their number was two hundred three
Score and fifty. They tilled the soil, and followed the
traditions of Faimos, their ancestor; and they were
white, and well favored. And their laad was deso-
lated by reason of the locusts. And they sent unto
Minas, and Minas received their emissary gladly, and
bid them come up and abide with them. And they
came up and pitched their tents with the men of Ge-
halehmot and abode with them. And Minas gave
them grain, and bid them go forth and cast seed into
the earth, and they did so. And at the return of har-
vest behold, the land was filled with grain; and no one
Knew where to contain it. Then did Minas cause other
granaries to be made, so that the grain might be kept,
and it was done.
So Minas commanded that all the people be as one,
and to sow the ground of all kinds of grain, as every
man had ability; even so was it done.
When the harvest time again drew near, lo, there
was again more grain than before.
So, likewise, Minas commanded that there be built
other granaries for to hold the grain, and it was done.
And for the space of five years did the earth bring forth
abundantly. And at the end of the sixth year, there
came no rain in all the land, and there was a sore famine
throughout all nations, and tongues, and people. And
Minas brake of the granaries, and gave unto every man
as his necessities demanded. And the men of Aegyp-
tus came up into the land with gold and precious mer-
chandise, for to buy grain, if haply they found any in
all the land, for the famine was sore in all the land of
Aegyptus.
—136—
As Minas heard of the suffering of the men of Aegyp-
tus, his heart melted within him, so that he sent a great
many lah’s weight of corn unto the king of Aegyptus;
and sent him word to return for more. And the king
Hykos, of Aegyptus sent down and got many more
lah’s weight of grain, even barley and corn, and lentils.
And the king sent unto Minas ten camel-loads of gold,
silver and precious things. And he sent unto Minas,
and lifted himself up, and sware that he would be a
friend unto the men of Gehalehmot, even down unto
the latest generations. -
After the space of three years did the famine abate
in the land, and through all this time the earth neither
brought forth grass or living thing, save in the moun-
tains over against the land; and all the flocks and
herds were taken thither. And at the end of three
years did the clouds return over the land, and the rain
fell upon the earth, and the strength thereof returned;
and it brought forth grass and herbs, so that the face
of the earth was again covered, and joy came again
unto the sons of the earth. Then did Minas give com-
mand, that every one should cast seed into the earth,
and it was done as he commanded.
So the great king sent his merchants, and they traf-
ficked with the men of Gehalehmot, and they prospered
exceedingly.
So Minas sent of the young men of the land, and
they learned of all the wisdom of the Aegyptians. So
that they understood the stars, as even did the Chal-
deans; and the poor, and outcast of every land came
unto Minas, and he gave them a portion of the land,
and seed to cast into the earth ; or if they desired to
be herdsmen, then gave he them flocks for to get the
—137—
increase thereof. So the prosperity of the people was
very great. -
When Biariah had read thus far, Algoonah com-
manded that he should stand aside until another day
-
CHAPTER XVIII.
The youths, Jeboran and Erech, builded a house
near the shores of the sea ; and Jeboran said unto
Erech, Behold, the time of snow and and harsh weather
cometh apace; let us prepare us for the winter. *
And they did so, even by preparing the flesh of
beasts, by drying, as they had seen their fathers do.
They likewise prepared of the skins of beasts for cloth-
ing. And the winter came on, and they feared not,
for they had a large amount of that which was neces-
sary for their sustenance and comfort. And the snow
fell, and covered the face of the earth. -
About this time did Algoonah call the people toge-
ther, and set governors over the people, for the better
convenience of himself and the people, for so much
judging the people wearied him ; and there was an
abundance of everything necessary in the land.
And Morah was governor over the people who were
to the westward, over against the great sea; and there
was no winter there. - -
And Morah commanded that there be ships builded,
and it was done; and they builded ships, even three. And
Morah sent five and eighty men under Albanas, saying:
Go thee unto the southward, and bring me word what
ye see; for Morah was of a venturesome and restless
spirit. And he told not Algoonah thereof, but he sent
his men, and they sailed to the southward for the space
of two months; and they continually saw the land over
138
—139—
against them ; and they came to a pleasant land, and
they made haste and came ashore, even in a place like
unto the cove where the people abode. And the land
was fair to see, after they had gone a day’s journey
therein ; and the trees bore strange and delightful
fruits; and birds of rare and brilliant plumage dwelt
therein. ©
So Albanas took of the fruits and birds and brought
them unto his brother Morah. And so they came as
speedily as possible and came unto Morah.
When therefore, Morah had heard their strange story
and seen the productions of the land, he could not rest
by night by reason of thinking of that land; and he
called the heads of the people together, and said: Let
us go down thither. But the heads of the people would
not consent; but Morah did not urge them ; so the
matter rested. w
As the spring time came the young men, Jeboran
and Erech rejoiced ; and the frost went away from the
sea and from the earth, and the birds returned and sang
among the trees, and the leaves shot forth on the trees
of the forest; but with the return of pleasant weather
did the beasts seem to depart from the land.
And it was about the time of casting seed into the
earth. Then did Erech go forth to seek for the ani-
mals of the forest, and Jeboran abode in the house
they had builded, alone. So Erech was gone for the
space of two days, and at the evening of the second
day he returned from his quest, and as he drew near
he saw not Jeboran ; and when he came unto the house
he saw marks of a mighty struggle, and the earth was
torn in the manner of a plowshare tearing the face
thereof; and there were marks of men’s feet, and they
—140—
were very great. And the mind of Erech was filled
with horror, and he came into the house, and lo, noth-
ing was harmed ; and he fell upon his face, and the
darkness of horror filled his mind. And it was on the
going down of the sun, and Erech lay as one dead all
through the night, and he spake not for groaning.
And when the morning was come he made haste and
sought the tracks of the men. And the tracks were a
cubit in length save a hand’s breadth, and they went
into the water of the lake; and he went around by the
shore of the lake, and he saw no more of them. And
his heart sank within him.
So he returned unto his house and abode there
alone and in great sorrow. And when his first grief
was past he bethought him what he should do ; and he
looked and found he had much of meats and fruits
dried, and he made a bundle thereof and set out for to
go unto the great city of Algoonah.
And his strength was great and he was of good cour-
age, and got him in haste; and so he went for the
space of forty days, resting from time to time. And
on a certain day, as some of the people were at work
in the fields, lo, they saw one approach clad in the
skins of beasts, and they were filled with astonish-
ment ; and they gathered around him ; and he burst
into tears, and all he spake was, Jeboran.
So they brought him in haste unto Algoonah ; and
when Algoonah saw him he fell as one dead, for he
knew Eyech. And they lifted up Algoonah, and east
Water upon him, and he came unto his reason ; and
when he came unto himself he brake out in lamenta-
tions for Jeboran—and Erech brake out also.
Atomia, the wife of the king, came in and demanded
—141—
of Erech that he should speak; and he lifted up his
voice and wept a long while ; and after he had done so
for a long space he opened his mouth and told of all
that had happened unto himself and Jeboran.
And the strength of Algoonah came unto him, and
he sent in haste for Jeshurim, and laid the matter be-
fore him. And Jeshurim went forth and called an
hundred thousand men, and beasts of burden, and
artizans, and workers in wood and iron ; and they laid
provisions and provender on the beasts and went forth
in haste unto the place of the encampment of Jeboran
and Erech on the lake.
And they came in thirty days; and they encamped
there, and builded boats, and slew of the beasts of the
forest, and dried the flesh thereof; and they drew out
of the fish, and did also with them as with the flesh of
the beasts. And while they tarried Algoonah sent
other beasts bearing corn and provender.
And after they had builded their boats they held
consultation. And . Jeshurim left all the men at the
place of the encampment, save five thousand, and he
went forth to explore the shores of the lake, if haply he
might find where the lad Jeboran was. And he com-
manded all the men to return to their places save
twenty score ; and they returned.
When Morah had builded other ships he commanded
his brother Albanas to go forth unto his strange
land of the south, and remain two years and cast seed
into the earth, and see what manner of land it should
be. *
And Albanas took eighteen score men, and beasts,
and seed, and all things needful ; and he came without
harm unto the place of his former landing for he
—142—
knew the place, by reason of a high mound he had
builded, on a hill over against the sea; and he came in,
and made his ships fast by sinking them in no great
depth of water; and he went twenty days journey in
the land; and it was a pleasant land, and the air was
filled with the scent of spices, like unto Arabia. And
he cast seed into the earth, and made ready, and builded
houses. And the earth brought forth in great abund-
ance, so that the men could not take care of all they
had produced.
They also tested the fruits and productions, and
found many that were rich and delicious.
In viewing the land, Albanas found bees like unto
the bees of the land of Katharia, and they brought of
the bees, and made them work in places suitable, even as
the people of Katharia did ; and the honey was of good
quality.
So Albanas stayed, and wrought in the land for the
space of two years; and at the end of two years he
went forth, bearing of the fruits of the land, and a
large quantity of honey; and four score of the men
desired to remain in the land.
And Albanas left them and went forth unto the
place of the ships; and he found his ships were as he
left them ; and he raised them and loaded them, and
came away unto the place where Morah was ; and when
Albanas had told what he had found, lo, all the land
was filled with excitement.
Nevertheless, there were those who were of the
elder of the men ; who desired to remain in the land
given them by Algoonah ; and many of the young men
desired to go down there, for they had forgotten Al-
goonah.
—143—
And Morah sent unto Algoonah of all that Albanas
had brought, of the fruits and birds, and also of the
honey.
And when Algoonah had heard all the matter, his
mind was troubled. Nevertheless, he sent unto Morah,
saying, If the people desire to go down and possess
the land, let them go ; but let sufficient remain to hold
the land where thou art; so the messenger of Algoonah
returned unto Morah.
And Morah divided the people, and found that there
were sixty and eight thousand who desired to go down
unto the land of Albanas; so Morah gave them per-
mission to go ; and they had forty ships, and sixty and
eight thousand made ready and departed unto the land
of the south.
And Algoonah commanded that Albanas be governor
of the people of the land of the south.
So they were for the space of eight months remov-
ing into the land with their substance.
CHAPTER XIX.
And Servinus builded the city of Salem ; and the
city was, as it were, a day’s journey to the eastward
from the great sea. .
About this time was there a rebellion in the land of
Aegyptus, for Marnoch lifted himself against Rameses
the great king; and Rameses fell upon him with great
slaughter; and Marnoch was driven forth with eight
hundred of his followers.
So Marnoch went forth he knew not whither, and
came over against the city of Salem.
And Servinus sent forth men, for to see what he
sought. And Marnoch told him.
So Servinus set them a place in the land, but was
distrustful of Marnoch ; and he brought them in, and
did cut off the thumbs from their right hands, so they
might not war against him ; and this he did unto Mar-
noch and seventy five of the chief men; for when their
thumbs were cut off they could no more draw the bow ;
then did Marnoch and his men become as the men of
Servinus. - -
But the eight hundred Aegyptians had no wives; and
the heads of the men came in unto Servinus, for to
speak with him of the matter.
And Servinus was very crafty, and he said, Lo, the
sons of Jebus live across the plain, as thou goest down
unto Arabia; go down thither and take of the daugh-
ters of Jebus for wives.
144
—145—
So they went down and asked of the men of Jebus
for their daughters, for wives. -
But the men of Jebus would not consent thereto,
but drove them away. And they came again unto Ser-
vinus, and told him how the men of Jebus had treated
them. ->" -
So Servinus said, Lo, the men of Jebus have much
vineyards, and at their midwinter feasts do they be-
come drunken with wine; both they and their wives,
and daughters; go down then, and take away of the
women, as each man desireth, and bring them unto your
own place.
So when the midwinter feasts of the men of Jebus
came to pass, did the young men of Marnoch go
down, take of the fairest of the daughters of the men
of Jebus and bring them up into their own place.
And when the king of Jebus was come to himself,
he was very wroth, and got himself up with a large
army, and came over to reclaim his people’s daughters.
When he had come near, Servinus went forth to meet
him, and bowed himself unto the king, and besought
him to shed no blood, but first to ascertain if the
daughters of the men of Jebus were desirous of return-
ing; and the king consented, and sent trusty men to
talk with the women.
Now the men of Marnoch had done as they listed
with the women, and they desired not to go back unto
their own land through shame; also they were very
kindly treated by the men.
So the king of Jebus made a treaty with Servinus,
and turned him about and went into his own land.
Then as the people were in peace, did Servinus parcel
out the land among them.
—146—
And the people increased greatly, for the land was
a goodly land and fair; and there was no excuse for
war in all the land, for the king of Jebus was friendly
on account of the daughters of the people, who were
in the land.
Further, did the young men of Jebus come down ;
and they liked the land and the government of Ser-
vinus; and they took parcels and became as the men of
Servinus.
Servinus sent forth trusty men, and caused all the
people to be numbered, and it was done ; the number
of the people was four thousand, and he had been in
the city of Salem for fifteen years. *
Now there came into the land, about this time, an
Assyrian, who was an herdsman ; and his flocks and
herds were very great; and he had many servants and
herdsmen; and his name was Ibram. ...
On a certain day, did the men of Jebus fall on a kins-
man of Ibram, and took away his flocks and herds. And
when Ibram heard thereof, he arose and took his ser-
vants and kinsmen, and smote the men of Jebus lust-
ily, so that they restored unto Ibram the substance
they had taken.
So Ibram abode in peace, and Servinus troubled him
not. And he came into the valley over against the
city of Salem, and encamped there. And Servinus
went forth and talked with Ibram in the evening of the
day.
Now Ibram was very old, and his hair was white like
unto Snow ; and his stature was very great, and his
countenance was calm and majestic ; for Ibram did
right, and no man was wronged by him. And as
Ibram spake unto Servinus the spirit of futurity came
—147—
upon him; and he took Servinus to the top of a high
hill, and showed him the country from the foot of the
mountains to the northward to the hill country of the
south, and from the great sea unto the river to the
eastward. And Ibram said, All this land shall my chil-
dren possess, unto the latter days; but thou art a
traitor and a schemer, and all thy people are workers
of iniquity; and thy people shall be trodden under
foot by my people, and cast out as dung. And there
shall be no more place in all the land for the Jebusites
or the Marnochites, or the Servinites. And my people
shall be a great and mighty people, and shall be a won-
der and astonishment among all nations and peoples
and kindreds, until the earth shall be no more. And
the people whom thou rebelled against, even the men
of Algoonah, shall be a renowned people among all
nations; but thou shalt die as a fool dieth.
And when Ibram had ceased speaking, Servinus
turned pale, and his heart sank within him by reason
of the austere aspect of Ibram ; and his high thoughts
of becoming the head of a mighty nation were over-
thrown by the words of Ibram. &
And he turned him about and went unto his place in
heaviness of spirit.
On a certain day did Marnoch call his people to-
gether, and stood up before them ; and he thrust forth
his right hand, and spake unto the people, saying:
How hath this man mutilated us when we were de-
fenceless strangers, and he in his walled city I Lo, we
are sufficiently strong to fall on him, and cast him out.
And the men of Marnoch saw what he said was good ;
and they said, Let us fall upon him.
So Marnoch made ready ; and he took four hundred
—148—
men; and they were armed with pruning-hooks and
sickles, and spikes. And they came unto the house of
Servinus by night; and they drew him out and slew
him, and cast him upon a dung-hill, as Ibram had fore-
told.
And the men of Marnoch proclaimed him king; and
he made proclamation unto those who were of Servi-
nus, saying, Let us be one people, and be united ;
and all the people agreed thereto.
And they became as one people and lived in the land
many years. -
And the further history thereof, will it not yet be writ-
ten in the Book of Jeboran.
So Servinus died ; and all his days were an hundred
and eight years.
Some of the young men of Servinus’ household took
the body from the dung-hill, and embalmed it, and lay
it in a tomb over against the city of Salem. So the
memory of Servinus perished from the earth until this
book was written. *
So Albanas went with sixty and eight thousand men
unto the land of the south ; and when his people had
all gotten on the land, then did Albanas march forth a
twenty days journey, and took the land, and possessed
it. But his ships did he sink in the cove of the sea.
Now the land was a delightful land, such as had
never been seen before. The trees thereof bore all
manner of fruits, and the earth brought forth in abun-
dance,
So Albanas was governor; and he took possession of
the land, in the name of the king, even Algoonah. And
Albanas set apart seven hundred men for to merchan-
—149—
dise with the men of the north, even the remainder of
the men of Kaiah. And at the end of three years did
he load twenty ships with the produce of the land; and
he sent forth the seven hundred men, with the twenty
ship loads of the produce of the land, unto the place of
Morah. ,'º' .
Now, while the people sojourned in the land of Mo-
rah, which is the province of Osurus, there was a young
man of the people, who was enamored of the sister of
Morah and of Albanas; and they liked him not, but
drave him forth, for he had no riches, and wrought not.
But he was of a cunning and subtle disposition, and he
fled unto the mountains, and abode there until the space
of two years was past; and his beard grew, and he was
darkened in countenance, by reason of exposure to the
sun and wind.
And at the end of two years, Galbronus, for that was
his name, came down unto the province of Osurus.
And no one wist who he was ; and many held him in
fear for his strange and wild aspect. But he abode
among the people, and he heard that Albanas, with
many of the people, were gone to the southward; and
he also ascertained that the sister of Morah and Alba-
nas had gone thither also ; and Galbronus wrought
with the people, and was content.
Now, at the end of three years and a half, came the
ships of Albanas; and there came also the messenger
of Albanas unto Algoonah, and he went forth unto
the place of Algoonah. And the produce was
taken from the ships; and they were again loaded with
implements of wood and iron, for the use of the peo-
ple of Albanas. And the ships waited for the return
of the messenger from Algoonah.
—150—
So while they waited, Galbronus went unto the
leader of the men of the ships, and desired to go
unto the place of Albanas. And the leader spake unto
him, saying:
Why dost thou desire to go, my son, seeing there is
a pleasant and comely land here? besides, thou canst
not go without the consent of Morah, the governor.
And Galbronus went into the presence of the gov-
ernor, Morah ; and Morah bid him go if he so desired.
So Galbronus went on the ships; and the messenger
of Algoonah returned, and they sailed southward unto
the land of Albanas. -
And Galbronus wrought with the men of the ship,
and became very skilful in the management of the ship,
so that there was no man so expert as Galbronus. But
no one knew him, nor from whence he came.
So in due time they came unto the cove, and anchored
the ships; and they had been gone for the space of a
year and a half; and they took off the merchandise.
And Albanas had ready at the cove, yet twenty other
ship loads of stuff; and he bid the leader of the ship
take the produce, and go forth again.
And the leader was old, and desired to rest. And
Albanas asked him who was suitable to take charge of
the ship ; and the leader told him the most suitable
man was Bromis, for so Galbronus was called.
And Albanas asked him :
Who art thou, and whence comest thou?
And Galbronus told him not, but said he was under
3, VOW.
So Albanas pressed him no further; but his mind
was perplexed, for he seemed to know the countenance
of Galbronus; and Albanas set him over the ships,
—151—
and he went forth with them, and he managed matters
so cleverly, that they came in a month shorter time
unto the place of Morah. And when Morah saw that
his brother had set the strange man over the ships, he
marvelled greatly; and like his brother, he seemed to
know the countenance of Galbronus. Nevertheless, he
questioned him not, but brought him in unto his own
house,
So when the ships were again ready to depart, Morah
sent him forth in peace. But Morah was perplexed to
know how the strange man came thither, and who he
was, for he seemed to know him. So on their return
journey, some of the men were evil-minded; and they
said among themselves, Let us cast this leader out, and
take this ship, and go unto a pleasant part of the land
and possess it.
And they attempted to cast Galbronus forth into the
sea ; but he took a beam and smote the men lustily,
and bound them, and cast them into the hold of the
ship ; and came unto the place of Albanas.
And when Albanas heard what the men had done, he
commanded that they should be brought forth ; and
they were beaten before all the people, with rods. And
Albanas spake kindly unto Galbronus, and brought
him into his house; and put a fine robe on Galbronus,
and made him chief captain of all the ships of the
people.
And while in the house of Albanas, Galbronus saw
the sister of Morah and Albanas; and her name was
Meta; and Meta never ceased to sorrow for Galbro-
nus, for she loved him. And he saw her, and his heart
kindled within him. And she went forth among the
trees, to weep alone. And she had heard of the chief
—152—
captain of the ships, but she cared not for anything.
And Galbronus went forth unto the place of the
trees, and came unto the place of the maiden ; and she
looked upon him and knew him ; and she fell upon his
neck and wept a long while. And Galbronus spake
kindly unto her, and told her that her brothers, the two
governors, knew him not, but trusted and confided in
him ; and they were again betrothed.
So on a certain day, as Galbronus sat at meat with
Albanas, Galbronus told him that he had seen Meta,
the sister of the governor, and desired to be betrothed
unto her, as he was enamored of the maiden ; and Al-
banas consented gladly, but told him he must also
obtain the consent of Morah, her brother.
Now the ships were again ready to sail; and Galbro-
nus went forth ; and when he was come unto the land
of Osurus he dressed himself in the robe given him by
Albanas, even the blue vestment of the men of Kaiah.
And he went out, and Morah took him into his own
house.
And as they sat at meat, Morah, having read the let-
ter of Albanus that he had appointed Bromis to be chief
captain of all the ships of Albanas, complimented
Galbronus thereon. And Galbronus told Morah that
he was enamored of his sister Meta, and desired his
consent to their betrothal.
So Morah gave him a parchment for to carry unto
Albanas, with his consent thereon.
And at the proper time, Galbronus sailed forth, and
came unto the land of Albanas; and when he was come
in, Albanas read the parchment from his brother
Morah. And he called Meta, his sister, privately, and
read her the letter of his brother; and he asked her if
—153—
she was willing to be betrothed unto Bromis. And
she answered, Yes, my lord the governor.
Albanas was pleased thereat, and made haste and
made ready for their marriage. And he made great
preparations; and they were betrothed after the man-
ner of the people of Kaiah.
Now Galbronus went into his chamber, and shaved
himself, and took off his beard, like unto when he first
loved Meta, the sister of the governor; and when the
young men went to fetch him unto the marriage, they
knew him not, until he spake unto them. And when
he was come into the place of marriage Albanas looked
upon him and knew him ; and his mind was so filled
with astonishment, that his speech was departed from
him. Nevertheless, he said not aught to interfere with
the marriage. But when the feast after the marriage
was over, Albanas went unto Galbronus, and embraced
him, and forgave him the deception.
CHAPTER XX.
Jeshurim prepared boats in the lake, even four-and-
twenty, and went forth to search for Jeboran ; and his
manner of search was as follows:
By examining closely the bank of the land over the
lake; and if he saw aught that seemed as if any man
had lately been there, then would he land his men, and
go forth and search all that land. And thus he did
for the space of two months; and he saw not Jeboran
or any man, or any sign thereof.
But on a certain morning, as they went forth as usual,
they beheld a man of strange and wild aspect on the
shore. -
So Jeshurim made haste and came unto the land, and
the strange man fled with great speed; and the men
pursued him with what haste they might, And he fled
into a great cliff of rocks, and went into a cave there-
in. And immediately there came forth many, even
two score, like unto him in appearance; and their form
was terrific, for they had hair on their bodies and faces
like unto beasts. And furthermore, their roaring was
terrible; but they sought not to hurt the men of Jesh-
urim, but gazed on them in great wonder. *.
So Jeshurim made signs unto them, and they came
forth and mingled with the men, and looked on them
in great astonishment.
Now their height was a full cubit and a half above
the tallest man in the army of Jeshurim ; and they wore
154
—155—
clothes made of the skins of beasts, and held spears
and axes of stone.
Jeshurim desired not to fight with them ; so he gave
one, who seemed to be a leader, a garment; and he
that received it cast it on his shoulders and set up a
terrific shout ; and he then bowed unto Jeshurim and
went in, and all his men with him.
And the leader presently returned, and made signs
unto Jeshurim, and then took one of the young men
and cast his arms about him, and then pointed to the
southward, and spake in his own tongue vehemently;
and then made as if he would go to the southward.
So one who stood by said unto Jeshurim, This fel-
low desireth us to follow him. -
So they followed him, and he went forth in haste;
and they followed him for the space of half a day; and
they came to a high cliff of rocks, with a cave therein;
and the wild man made signs for them to enter.
And Jeshurim, with ten others, went in, and they
could not see clearly until their eyes became accus-
tomed to the darkness, And when they looked, they
saw a couch of moss and of skins of beasts, and lying
thereon was Jeboran ; and he seemed as one dead.
So Jeshurim cast himself down and rent his hair, and
bemoaned Jeboran. But he thought him to examine
him ; and as he did so, he perceived that there was life
yet remaining in him. And soon he moaned and opened
his lips. And they went gladly and made a tent, and
brought him therein. And Jeboran still lay as one
dead. -
Then did Jeshurim send and fetch wine that was
at the place of the boats, and gave him thereof to
drink, and pottage, made from the tender flesh of birds.
—156—
So that on a certain day did Jeboran open his eyes
and look about him. And his reason returned. And
he looked upon Jeshurim and knew him ; and he made
as if he would speak, and could not.
So Jeshurim was much moved, and wept, and said,
What desirest thou, my son? But he spake not.
So gradually did the strength of life return to Jebo-
ran. And they made a bed and carried him unto the
place of the boats. And Jeshurim sent forth trusty
men to hasten unto the king Algoonah, and tell him of
the safe rescue of Jeboran.
So Jeboran regained strength, so that he sat in bed,
and viewed the land as they passed on. But he spake
not ; and seemed to wish not for anything, save Jesh-
urin.
The wild men were not numerous; but they had boats
of very rude manufacture, of barks and branches of
trees; and they wore no raiment, save a few of skins of
beasts; and their meat was fishes and berries, and creep-
ing things of the earth, also beasts of the forest. Their
habitations were in the caves in the rocks; and no wo-
men were seen among them; neither had they fire, for
when Jeshurim caused a fire to be builded, the wild men
viewed it with great astonishment, and took it in their
hands; and when they were burned, ran howling to
their dens.
Nevertheless, they seemed to desire to do the men
of Jeshurim no hurt, for they lifted not up a weapon
against them, but viewed them with great astonishment.
Their faces were very loathsome to behold, for every
one had his under lip cut off, and the bridge of his nose
likewise.
—157—
And Jeshurim got of their stone spears and axes,
and took away with him ; and he gave them presents,
and went forth in peace. -
Now therefore, Jeshurim hastened unto the place of
the encampment of Erech and Jeboran ; and the wind
was fair, and he made all speed, and came without acci-
dent unto the place; and the men who had remained
there, had builded houses there, and everything con-
venient; and yet Jeboran seemed as one who had lost
his mind, for he spake not, nor seemed to know ought
that transpired, save in the presence of Jeshurim.
Now was Jeshurim minded to rest in the place where
he was, until he got word from the king; for the lad
Jeboran was still unable to walk. And the messengers
which Jeshurim sent, came apace, and drew into the
presence of the king; and one stood up, and said, Ti-
dings my lord the king; and the king commanded him
to speak in haste. -
So he said, The lad Jeboran is found.
And Algoonah said, Doth he yet live? and the mess-
enger said, Yea, my lord; and Algoonah fell from his
place as one dead ; and they who stood near cast wine
upon him, so that he recovered.
And Algoonah went in and washed himself, and put
a new garment upon him, and caused proclamation to
be made, that all the people should rejoice, by reason
of the finding of his son Jeboran.
And Atomia, the mother of Jeboran, called in the
messenger that spoke, and questioned him closely of
the condition of Jeboran ; and he was loath to tell.
Nevertheless, she spoke so sharply unto him, that he
kept naught back, but told her all that had trans-
pired. -
—158—
And the mother of Jeboran was much moved, and
wept much ; and it was hid from Algoonah.
So Algoonah sent forth unto Jeshurim, with men
who knew the way, for to take things necessary for
the comfort of the lad. And the time of winter was
on the land, so that Jeshurim feared to bring him
forth ; and he abode there until such time as the
weather should be propitious. The men who were
there, went forth and viewed the land ; and it was
pleasant to see, even in the winter; and they builded
houses; and many of them intended to return as soon
as they could, by the next year; for the land was agree-
able to abide in. -
Now as the winter wore away apace, Jeshurim be-
stirred himself, and sent a letter unto the king, and told
him of the condition of the lad, for his reason returned
not unto him. - -
At the time of the mid-winter festival, did Algoonah
command Biariah that he should read unto the people,
of the ancient history of the men of Kaiah ; and Biariah
stood forth and read unto the people.
Now Minas became old and much stricken in years,
so that the strength of his manhood left him ; and he
sent forth and called the families of the people, and
stood up and beckoned unto them to draw near unto
him. And they came near, and Minas sat him down
and spake unto the people, saying:
Ye have been brought into this land in a strange and
peculiar manner, and while the nations of the earth
have been afflicted with sore famine, there has been
plenty in all your borders, so that ye had to spare for
those who had none. Behold, how ye have increased
and multipled, and your substance has become very
—159—
great, so that the merchants of all nations come thither
to buy. Your flocks also cover the hills, and ye want
for nothing. Would ye continue to be happy and
prosperous? Then seek not to entangle yourselves
with other men, either in war or peace; and let every
man who cometh in hither be as a brother, and give
him a place in the land. Then also seek not to have a
king to rule over you in the manner of other nations;
for if ye have a king, then will ye be his servants, and
what assurance have ye he will not be as was Dorus, of
Phoenicia, who killed his people without cause ? Lo, I
am old, and have seen all who came in here with me
die; and I am the last of my race. Hear ye the words
of Minas; live as ye have seen me live, and you will
be noted among the people of the earth.
And Minas called unto the people, saying, Choose
ye this day, whom ye will have to be governor after me.
And the people wept by reason of the words of
Minas, and besought him to give them a governor, and
they would be content. -
So Minas called Crocton, a young man of promise
and good mind, and set him over the people; and the
people honored Crocton, and each went his way.
And the strength departed from Minas, and he gath-
ered his feet into the bed and died. And all the years
of Minas were two hundred and forty-eight.
And all the people mourned for Minas. And he was
buried in the land as thou goest down unto the land of
Assyria. And they set a monument of stone over him,
inscribed after the manner of the people of AEgyptus;
and the people of the land unto the latest generations
read thereon of the deeds of Minas. -
—160—
And Crocton reigned as governor over the people;
and there was prosperity in all the land; and the op-
pressed and down-trodden from every land under the
sun came unto them and found refuge.
Thus did Biariah read unto the people, until he tired,
and Algoonah bid him rest.
Albanas was governor in the land of the south, even
as Algoonah had appointed ; and every year did the
proclamations of Algoonah come into the land.
And Albanas laid the foundations of a great city;
and there were cunning workmen in stone. And Al-
banas caused them to dress the stone. And he builded
a palace, the like whereof hath not been seen. And
those who delved in the earth brought refined gold and
silver ; and the roof thereof was laid with silver, and
it shone when the sun was thereon, like unto fire. And
he builded a great temple, for the people to assemble
therein; and there was a great city builded there.
Now Galbronus was chief captain of the ships, and
second to Albanas in the government of the people;
and four times a year did he make a voyage unto the
land of Osurus, even unto the place where Morah was
governor.
Now, on a certain time was Morah minded to go and
see his brother Albanas, and the land he abode in, for
his curiosity was great concerning it.
And he left the government of the people with one
who was wise and discreet, and came down with Gal-
bronus to view the land. And when he was come into
the land, and saw the palace and temple of Albanas, his
mind was filled with wonder and astonishment. So he
was filled with discontent that he abode not there him-
—161–
self. Nevertheless, he was pleased to see the vine-
yards and groves of trees, and everything convenient
that the people had.
And he took his leave, and went into his own land.
And when he had returned and came there, he was dis-
pleased at the barrenness thereof; for it seemed to be
barren, when compared with the land of Albanas.
Now, when the spring time of the year came on,
Jeshurim made himself ready, and went down unto the
great city of Algoonah ; and the lad, Jeboran was of the
age of eighteen years. And he was as one bereft of
reason. And they came apace unto the city; and Al-
goonah saw them coming, and went forth for a furlong
to meet them, in his chariot; and fell upon the neck
of the lad and kissed him. -
But Jeboran knew him not. And Algoonah took
him, with much sorrow, and brought him into the city.
And when the people saw him, they shouted long and
loud, Long live the young prince Jeboran | But he
wist not.
And Algoonah brought him into the presence of his
mother, Atomia. And when he saw her, he fell upon
her neck; and his reason returned, and he said, O, my
mother l and wept upon her bosom.
And he spake unto his father, Algoonah, and knew
him, and kissed him.
So his reason returned, and likewise his strength.
And on a certain day, he told unto Algoonah of the
wild men, and their manners and customs.
CHAPTER XXI.
The lad, Jeboran, grew in strength, until presently
he was restored whole, as before. And on a certain
day he spake unto his father and Biariah of the wild
men of the lake, as follows:
All the time I was with the wild men, until rescued
by Jeshurim, was five months, and the circumstances
of my capture were in this wise.
On a certain day, as Erech went forth to seek the beasts
of the forest, was I ill, and unable to go with him ; so
he went forth alone. And on the morning after he had
left, I sat in our house; and as I sat, I heard a strange
noise, and, as it were, the roaring of strange beasts.
So I went forth, and lo, there were many uncouth men,
who surrounded me, and made as if they would lay
hands upon me, when the strength of my spirit arose
- within me, and I attempted to depart from them ; and
they laid hands upon me, and I cast them to the earth,
and they encompassed me with vigor, and overcame
me, after a shrewd struggle.
Then they took me into their boats, and went forth
in haste unto the place of the caves in the rocks.
Now, all this time they gave unto me no hurt, save
such as was necessary to seize me. I was very loath
to go with them, as they were very uncouth and repul-
sive in their appearance. Nevertheless, I must needs
accompany them, as they were the stronger.
162
—163—
There were two score and eighteen men in the band,
and they had left their country, which was to the north-
ward ten days’ journey, and came unto the place of the
lake for to get fish and wild beasts and birds, such as
dwelt around the borders thereof.
Their customs and habits, which I saw, were very
beastly, for they cut off their under lips and the bridges
of their noses. I learned not their speech to any ex-
tent, but saw and understood the signs they made, for
they spake chiefly by signs; and I found they kept me,
thinking I was one of the gods; and they did homage
unto me when the moon shone,
So they never did me hurt, but ministered unto me.
I felt assured that my father, the king, would send
men to find me, if Erech went down unto the land.
So I was content to remain, as I was of the mind I
could not return, having no means of killing beasts for
food.
There was one with them who was leader of the
band, and he drew figures in the sand, and made me to
understand that he lived to the northward, and that his
people were few ; for it seemed they had been very
numerous, but a dire pestilence, even the rising of much
water, killed all the men, women, and children, who
were taken away by the waters, save four, who were
carried away by an exceeding large bird, that lay them
on the tops of high mountains; and from these four
came all the present people. -
And he made many things, even birds and beasts,
that I comprehended not. And their manner of eating
is very loathsome, for they delight to eat of flesh which
hath decomposed by reason of lying in the sun; and I
—164—
would not eat thereof, but desired to eat of the raw
flesh, which they permitted me to do.
And I attempted to show unto the leaders, of our
history, but he comprehended but little thereof, for
they have no reason like unto other men. They are
also of great statnre and of great strength, even as
the strength of two horses. Nevertheless, they were
not minded to do me any hurt.
When the moon first riseth in her fullness then they
have a great feast, with dancing of a very rude charac-
ter, and singing. As soon as the moon ariseth, they
break the silence and commence, first the leader, then
all do follow him, with great noises.
They are very expert in catching and trapping the
fishes, as well as beasts and birds, and they dry the
flesh thereof in the sun, for use in the winter time.
The reason of my sickness was the use of raw flesh for
food, without salt, and without preparing before the
fire, as is the manner with our people; and I was sick
for the space of a month by our reckoning, before
Jeshurim caused my release.
So when Algoonah had heard the story of Jéboran,
he was greatly astonished, and commanded Biariah
that it be put in writing, and laid away among the his-
tories of the people; and it was done. Also there was
laid away with the history, the spears and axes of
stone of the wild people. So Jeboran waxed strong,
and increased in knowledge, for the man whom he had
thought to have slain, was long ago recovered ; and no
one durst cross Jeboran’s temper any more.
And Algoonah called all the heads of the people to-
gether, and the grand council of the people ; and when
there was a silence, Algoonah stood up before the peo-
—165—
ple, and when he stood up, there was great shouting
as of mighty thunder, for the people loved Algoonah,
and he was of a noble presence, his hair was white, and
the strength of his manhood was not abated.
Neverthless, he was eighty and six years old ; and he
wore upon his head the golden crown of Kaiah ; and
upon him was the blue vestment of the people of
Kaiah ; and by his side stood Jeboran his son ; and Je-
boran was two hands breadth taller than Algoonah,
and his presence was like unto the moon when she ris-
eth in her splendor; and he had naught upon him save
a tunic and a vestment reaching to his knees.
And Algoonah took the blue robe of Kaiah and cast
it upon the shoulders of Jeboran, and took the crown
of gold and set upon his head. And when he had
done so, he lifted up his voice and bid the people be-
hold him who should be king after him. And when -
Algoonah had so spoken there arose a shout as when
the ocean is beaten by a mighty tempest ; and all the
people said, long live Jeboran and long live Algoonah.
So Jeboran was appointed to rule after his father,
according to the law of the people made in the land of
Gehalehmot. -
And there were present there on that day emissaries
from the land of Osurus, and from the land of Alba-
Il{}.S.
And the messengers returned unto their own coun-
try; and all the people heard how that Algoonah had
appointed his son Jeboran to be king after him.
And Morah, the governor of the land of Osurus,
sent unto Algoonah, saying:
Come, I pray thee, and view our land; and bring
the lad Jeboran, that we may behold him ; for many
—166–
of our young men have never seen thee, and they greatly
desire to see thy face, as well as the young man, even
Jeboran.
And when Algoonah had considered the matter, he
was minded to go down and view the land.
So there was an highway builded from the chief city
of Osurus unto the chief city of the province of Bia-
riah. And Algoonah went forth with Jeboran and
Atomia, his mother, and journeyed down unto the land
of Osurus.
Now the land was divided as follows:
First was the land of Osurus, being by the great sea,
where Osurus first came to land; and the number of
the people thereof was an hundred and ten thousand.
Second was the land of Albanas, being the land to
south, explored and peopled by Albanas; and the num-
ber of the people thereof was seventy thousand. Third,
the province of Biariah, being where Osurus first
stopped on the great river; and the number of the
people thereof was four hundred thousand. Fourth,
the province of Jeshurim, being where the great city
of Algoonah was builded; and the people thereof was
five hundred thousand.
And all the people thereof had prospered greatly,
and they were continually going further forth and tak-
ing the land.
So Algoonah sent unto Morah that when the days
were pleasant in early summer, then would he go forth
and view the province of Osurus. .
So Algoonah called Jeshurim, and gave him author-
ity to judge the people in his absence; and he went
down and came unto the land of Osurus.
—167—
So all the people went forth ; some a day’s jour-
ney, some two days’ journey and some three days’
journey, for to meet Algoonah. And Morah sent
chariots unto the mountains for Algoonah to ride
therein; and they were made solely for the purpose,
and were very magnificent. -
So Algoonah came apace and drew near ; and as the
people met him they made great rejoicing. And there
were those of the older men who had known Algoonah ;
and when they saw him they wept exceedingly ; and
Algoonah also wept.
So did they journey unto the chief city of Osurus.
And all the people from every part of the land left
their labor and their merchandise, and came unto the
chief city for to see Algoonah ; and there was great
rejoicing.
Neverthless, all the people could not see him by rea-
son of the multitude. So Morah sent forth proclama-
tion that the king would talk to the people on the
morrow in the plain over against the city.
And when Algoonah, with Jeboran and Atomia drew
near unto the city of Osurus, Morah came forth to
meet the king; and Morah got him down from his
chariot and fell on his face ; and all the people that
were there did likewise.
So Algoonah bid Morah rise, and he arose. And Al-
goonah had him come in the king's chariot, and em-
braced him, and bid him ride therein unto the city.
Now, Morah was the son of Kaiah’s brother, and
Algoonah loved him for Kaiah’s sake. So they went
unto the governor’s palace, and Algoonah rested there-
in from his journey. And when the morrow was come,
all the people assempled on the plain by the city, and
—168—
at the third hour of the morning, Algoonah with
Jeboran and Morah, went forth to speak unto the peo-
ple. And there was a place made for Algoonah to
stand therein; and Morah sent forth an herald, and
he blew a trumpet, and there was silence. And Morah
stood up and beckoned unto the people, and com-
manded them to hear; and he spake saying, This is a
happy day for the men of Osurus, for is not our be-
loved father with us this day, and lo, he now speaketh
unto the people; hear ye his words for they are full of
wisdom. -
So Algoonah stood up before the people, and he was
clad in the blue robe of Kaiah, and the golden crown
thereof was on his head. And when all the people saw
Algoonah there arose a shout such as never was heard
in all the land, for the people of Osurus loved Al-
goonah. And he was much moved, and wept, for he
loved his people. And when there was silence he lifted
up his voice, and said:
My people ! Many days have I journeyed that I
might once more look upon you and speak unto you.
Ye all know how we came into this land and how we
possessed it, and how we have prospered since we were
here. I am rejoiced to stand face to face to-day, and
hear from your own lips how ye have prospered since
we came here.
I desire that all the people shall be as one people,
and that ye may all become one great and mighty na-
tion.
And long did Algoonah speak unto the people, and
they heard him with gladness; and when he had ceased
speaking, he took Jeboran and stood him before the
—169—
people, and told them that he had appointed him to be
king after him.
And the people all answered with a loud shout, say-
1ng :
We will have no one save Jeboran for king after Al-
goonah. -
So Algoonah went down and walked among the peo-
ple for the space of a whole day; and he talked with
them, and spake kindly to all. And Jeboran went
down also with his father ; and the people loved Jebo-
ran also as they did his father. And when the day
was spent, Algoonah went into the house of Morah,
and rested himself for the space of twenty days, and
then he went forth and viewed the land from one end
even unto the other.
And on a certain day a messenger came unto Al-
goonah, saying:
If it is the pleasure of the king, Galbronus, the chief
captain of the ships, desireth to speak unto the king.
And Algoonah bid him come in, and he came in.
And he was a youth of good appearance, and he fell
before the king.
And Algoonah liked his appearance, and bid him
rise. And he arose and stood before the king, and
the king said:
What desirest thou, my son?
And Galbronus said:
I, thy servant, am of the land of Albanas, and our
people are many of them of the younger of the people,
and we have never seen thee, nor beheld thy face.
Nevertheless, we have long heard of the goodness and
wisdom of Algoonah ; and when we heard that thou
hadst come into this land, our governor sent thy ser-
—170—
vant to ask thee to come down and view the land of
Albanas.
So when Algoonah understood that the people de-
sired him to come down into the land of Albanas, he
communed with Atomia and Jeboran. And he con-
sented to go down and see the people and land of Al-
banas.
And he remained in the land of Osurus for the space
of six months. Then he took the ship prepared for
him by Albanas, with Jeboram and his mother, and
journeyed down unto the land of Albanas.
And a great multitude of the people waited at the
landing for to greet the king when he should come to
the land. And as the ship came near, the multitude
rent the air with their shouting. And when the king,
and his son and his wife, came to land, the people all
bowed before the king. And there was made ready
a fine house for him to rest in, and everything pleasant
to the eye and to the mind to refresh him.
And when the morning was come, there was a fine
chariot brought, wherein never any one sat ; and the king
and his family rode therein. And as he passed in unto
the chief city, the people cast fine cloths before him ;
and many went before and behind to fetch him unto
the chief city.
And where he should rest at night there was every-
thing comfortable made ready, so that he might rest in
comfort.
And they drew near unto the city, and Algoonah
looked forth and saw the silver roof of the palace of
Albanas, and of the temple of the people. And the
sight thereof was as of the sun; and the mind of Al-
goonah was filled with astonishment. And over the
—171—
gate of the city was there an arch of gold, and inscribed
thereon was the name of Algoonah.
And Albanas came forth and bowed unto the king.
And Algoonah embraced him, for he loved him for the
sake of Kaiah. And Algoonah bid him come in and
ride; but Albanas said, Nay, I will walk before the
king unto the city, and unto the palace of the people.
And all that Algoonah saw filled him with astonish-
ment. - tº . . . . . . . . .
And the great prosperity of the people was wonder-
ful, for they had abode there but ten years. And all
the people made obeisance unto the king; and he went
in and rested himself in the palace. And all the peo-
ple were gathered together. And on the morrow did
Algoonah stand up before the people for to speak unto
them.
And all the people were filled with joy and gladness,
for the presence of Algoonah was like unto none they
had ever seen. And he spake unto them, and said :
This day are mine eyes bewildered by the contempla-
tion of this land, which ye have made like unto the de-
light of the earth for beauty and fatness; and the glory
of your palace and temples is like unto the pride of the
land of Katharia.
And he spake unto them of his desire that all the
people should be as one people; and further did he
speak. And when he had done he set before them
Jeboran, and the people set up a great shout, saying,
Long live the young king ! and long live Algoonah,
the pride and strength of all the people ! -
—172—
And Algoonah went forth and talked unto the peo-
ple, and spake kindly unto them. And when he had
rested, he went forth and viewed all the land; and his
mind was filled with joy and peace to see the prosperity
of the men of Albanas.
CHAPTER XXII.
So Algoomah was in the land of Albanas; and he
judged the people for the space of forty days; and he
gave the people instructions in the law ; and set apart
men for to expound the law as made by the fathers in
the land of Gehalehmot. -
And the time drew near for the king to depart unto
his own place. And all the people gathered about him
and wept very sore, for he told them that they should
see him no more.
So Algoonah stood up before the people and spake
unto them. And the spirit of futurity came upon him
and he said:
Unto the people of Albanas is given the perpetuity
of nations, and the sons of future ages shall see the
work of your hands: for ye shall raise up temples and
monuments like unto the people of Aegyptus, that shall
stand unto the latest generations; and the sight thereof
shall be an astonishment and a marvel of mystery until
the times shall be fulfilled. And when the times are
fulfilled shall the men of the world see the mystery of
the men of Kaiah. Did not our father, the great and
good Kaiah, tell us that ye should be a renowned na-
tion among the latter days? Even so shall it be, and
the wonder of Mezzinaroth shall be made plain. My
people, I leave you. The voice of Algoonah shall no
more sound in your ears, nor his presence be in your
173
—174—
midst. There is no strength in man, that continueth,
save the strength of wisdom. Seek wisdom, and fail
not. Deal justly with one another, and may peace fol-
low you unto the latest generations.
So Algoonah made an end of speaking, and all the
people wept much. -
And Jeboran stood up and spake unto the people,
and said, that if he should be king, then should he fol-
low in the footsteps of the great and good Kaiah, and
of Algoonah, his father.
And many of the people followed Algoonah unto the
place of the landing; and they required that he should
send Jeboran every year for to judge them.
Then did Algoonah make haste, and straightway came
unto the land of Osurus. -
And Galbronus went forth with the king; and they
came up into the place of Morah. And Morah caused
proclamation to be made, for the people to rejoice by
reason of the safe return of the king.
Now Morah had builded a king’s chamber, and
placed therein a throne whereon the king might sit. And
Algoonah sat thereon and judged the people of Osurus.
When, therefore, the time was at hand when the
king should return unto his own land, Morah besought
him for to let Jeboran remain in the land; and Algoo-
nah consented thereto. *
And the people mourned by reason of the departure
of Algoonah. And he bid Jeboran to stay in the school
of the wise men which was in the city of Osurus.
And Morah went with Algoonah unto the land of
Jeshurim. And Galbronus was governor in his room.
And they came apace and drew near unto the city
—175—
of Biariah ; and a messenger went before, saying, Lo,
the king cometh near. •
And the people went forth to meet the king, casting
garments and branches of trees in his way. And there
was great rejoicing in all the province of Biariah on
account of the return of the king.
So he rested himself, and went his way unto his own
city, even unto the province of Jeshurim.
And there was a great day there when Algoonah
came into the city, for did no man any labor, but each
rested, and went forth and met the king in the high-
way, as thou goest down from the city of Biariah ; and
there were eight score maidens with garlands and music,
and they danced before the king, and entered the gates
of the city before him.
So Algoonah entered his own house and rested from
his journey ; and his mind was filled with peace, for his
people were in great prosperity and peace. -
Now, there were certain of those who were with
Jeshurim when he went for to seek Jeboran, who
admired the land of the lake; and among them was
Mestus, who was an officer of the host ; and when they
had returned with Jeboran, Mestus went before Algoo-
nah and did obeisance, and desired to go and settle in
the land over against the lake; and Algoonah said unto
him, Is not this land sufficient for thee, my son, and is
there not space for thee? Nevertheless, if thou desir-
est, go thou with thy brethren.
So Algoonah gave unto Mestus a writing of parch-
ment, sealed with the king’s seal, giving him authority
to go and take possession of the land.
So Mestus went forth with nine hundred men for to
see the land, and they went in the spring time of the
—176—
year, even when Algoonah went forth for to visit the
land of Osurus; and they came apace unto the encamp-
ment of Jeboran and Erech, and builded houses and
cleared away the trees of the forest, and set things in
order, and cast seed into the earth; and the growth of
the corn and grain was wonderful, so that the earth
brought forth in great abundance, and the overplus
was very much. -
Now, the wives and little ones of the men were loath
to go into that land for fear of the wild men, for they
feared the sight of them. So the men were alone all
the summer time; and when the winter drew near they
came unto the city of Algoonah for to take their wives
and little ones unto the land, and they were loath to go.
Nevertheless, they went and abode in the land. So
Mestus took other men, so that his number was seven
thousand men, women and children, and there were
houses builded, and a city was built by the encamp-
ment of the lad Jeboran, and the new province pros-
pered greatly; and when Algoonah returned unto his
own place he made Mestus governor over all that prov-
ince; and Mestus had men who were fishermen, and
they fished in the lake, and dried the fish with salt, and
trafficked in the land of Jeshurim and Biariah there-
with ; and they continued to prosper greatly.
Now, the lad Erech, who was with Jeboran after he
had returned unto his place, was set into the school of
the wise men in the great city of Algoonah, by the
king; and the lad gained in wisdom and knowledge, for
Algoonah loved him and made him to be as his son.
And on a certain day, as Erech walked in the field to
rest himself, there met him one who was a sorcerer,
and the sorcerer cast his mantle on the ground and bid
—177—
Erech stand thereon, and Erech, through the spirit of
curiosity, did as he desired, and immediately the sor-
cerer prophesied concerning him and said, Greater wilt
thou be than thy master, and the grandeur of nations
shall be in thy hands, and much glory shalt thou obtain.
And when the sorcer had ceased speaking, Erech went
away in astonishment.
Now sorcerers were few, and were of the ancient
people of Aegyptus, and the people gave no heed unto
their speech.
Now, Kinar, the cunning workman, was at the head .
of a school of workmen in the land of Jeshurim and
in the city of Algoonah, and he instructed all the youth
in the structure of building, and things needful. So
Kinar was full of pains, by reason of much labor and
exposure, and his strength departed from him, and he
sent for Algoonah and told him his time was at hand;
and Algoonah was exceeding sorrowful and heavy by
reason thereof, and went in and talked with Kinar.
So Kinar told the king to set all his words in a book,
that it might be before the eyes of the people through-
out all coming generations. And it was done as Kinar
desired.
And Kinar spake further, saying:
The men of the earth are as water which is cast
upon the earth—vanishing away. Yea, he continueth
not by reason of weakness, but the works of men’s
hands shall live and be viewed by the men of future
time. So no man liveth without cause. It is meet
that men should understand the mysteries of man, and
of those who went before them. Behold, I perish
from the earth, and my memory passeth away with
me, but the works of my hands shall live after me.
—178—
Thus it is with my people; they perish as the grass of
the field; nevertheless, they can live through all com-
ing time if they build monuments in the land for the
people of the earth to see; and they must be so
builded that men shall see the design thereof. -
And Kinar spake further, and his words were sealed
up and hidden away until such time as he desired
should come to pass; for he desired that the design of
the Mound Builders should be a mystery until the times
should be fulfilled. - - -
And all things were done as Kinar desired ; and the
mystery of the monuments hath been hidden until this
day. .
Now Kinar grew weaker apace, and the strength of
speech left him, and he died. And all the life of Kinar
was ninety years. And all the works that he did were
very great, so that a book would scarcely hold them.
And he did good in his generation, so that there was
no man like unto him before or since.
And Algoonah mourned for Kinar, for he loved him.
And he sent forth proclamation unto all the provinces,
and all the people mourned for Kinar, as Algoonah
commanded, for they loved him.
And the lad Jeboran grew in strength and wisdom
from day to day, and went and came in the land of
Osurus; and he often sat on the throne made by Morah
for Algoonah, and judged the people; and all the peo-
ple loved him,
And there was a maiden there, a sister of Morah
and of Albanas, and of Meta, the wife of Galbronus ;
and she was fairer than all the daughters of the land.
And Jeboran became deeply enamored of the maiden,
so that he could not rest day or night unless he was
—179—
with her; and also sleep forsook him ; and he sent
word unto Algoonah thereof, and the king was not dis-
pleased. Nevertheless, he told Jeboran that he must
be betrothed in the city of the king.
And Galbronus saw that Jeboran must be betrothed
unto the maiden ; so he sent her with Jeboran and an
hundred choice men unto the city of Algoonah.
And they came unto the city, and were betrothed in
the presence of the king and all the people, after the
ancient manners of the men of Gehalehmot.
And Jeboran was twenty and four years old.
Now Algoonah saw all his people in prosperity
around him, and nothing pressed upon his mind; and
he called a grand council of all the provinces and all
the people, for to meet in the great city of Algoonah.
And the time was set a year ahead; and proclamations
were sent unto the provinces of Albanas and Osurus,
for to send wise and selected men unto the grand coun-
cil, one man for each thousand men in the province.
And they came, as Algoonah desired, unto the city.
And there were a thousand men, selected for wisdom
and strength of disposition. And when the set time
arrived they assembled in the great palace of the king,
in the great city. -
And Algoonah caused the laws to be read in the
presence of the people; and it was done. And after
the reading of the laws, Algoonah stood up and spake
unto the people; and he told them that the laws and
regulations were good, but it had become necessary, in
consequence of the peculiar conditions of the people,
to make other laws, touching the relations of the dif-
ferent provinces of the people, and in consequence of
—180—
many other things, which would appear unto the wis-
dom of the great council of the people.
And he further spake concerning the book of Kinar
which was sealed up, and the substance thereof, which
was hidden from the people. And he commanded that
there should be certain of the people, even two from
every province, who should take charge of the matter
hidden away by Kinar, and should direct the people at
the will of the king concerning the matter of the book
of Kinar. And further, that the men so set apart
should in no wise be permitted to reveal what was con-
tained therein.
And the grand council sat for a long season, and
made other laws, and did as the king desired in the
matter of Kinar. -
And the laws were all written, both the old and the
new, and taken to every province ; and there were
those whose occupation was to expound and explain
the laws unto the people.
CHAPTER XXIII.
Now, at the end of two years, did Morah, the gov-
ernor of the land of Osurus, return unto his own
province ; and Jeboran, and the wife of Jeboran, re-
turned with him.
Even did Morah take with him a copy of the laws
made by the grand council; for the grand council had
ceased from their labors, and had revised the ancient
law of the land, and made it into a book, like unto the
laws of the land of Aegyptus and of Assyria.
Jeboran, therefore, abode in the land of Osurus, and
at the proper season he went forth with Galbronus, and
journeyed into the land of Albanas. And Jeboran
chose wise men and astute men, from the land of Osu-
rus, and from the land of Albanas, for to take charge
of the matter revealed by Kinar, the cunning work-
man, even two from every province; and those who
were chosen had a temple builded in the land of Jesh-
urin, and in the city of Algoonah. And the book of
Kinar was deposited therein ; and no man durst look
in the book until the times should be fulfilled in the
latter days.
And the number of those who kept the book and the
temple of Kinar, were ten, Sound and chosen men, dis-
creet of mind and cunning. And if there should be
other provinces, then should there be other men chosen,
even tWO.
181
—182—
So the temple thereof was builded, and the men
chosen from among the people abode therein. And
the book of Kinar was put in a stone box in the
temple.
Now it was so ordered, that if any of the men who
kept the temple and book should die, then should the
governor of the province from which such man came,
appoint other men to fill the place-thereof.
Jeboran came into the land of Albanas and abode
there, and Albanas builded him a palace and he abode
therein; and Jeboran judged the people, and he was
famed for his wisdom and for his great strength, for his
strength was as that of ten men; and the people of the
land of Albanas waxed greater than the people of any
other province of the people, for they trafficked in
silver and gold and precious stones, besides many other
things. Nevertheless, did all the people prosper ex-
ceedingly.
The province of Mestus was by the great lake where
Jeboran and Erech encamped, and the people of Mes-
tus came by way of an highway unto the city of
Algoonah and trafficked there, and they went forth and
subdued the land, and made it prosper like unto a gar-
den. But the wild men came no more into that part
of the land, for they feared the men of Kaiah, but they
remained in their own land. And on occasion, did Bia-
riah, the governor, read unto the people of the ancient
history of the people; and it was after the following
fashion :
Now, the man who was governor after the great
Minas, died when he had ruled the people for the space
of seven years. After Minas died there was a space
of time wherein eight and forty governors reigned over
—183—
the land, and Gargon was governor after them. And all
the people loved Gargon, for he was a good man, and
very wise and of good disposition; and Gargon was
fearful that he could not so govern the people. So he
called the chief men together; and so arose the custom
among the people of having gatherings of the people
to determine matters of import; and they made a law
that before the governor should die, a man should be
chosen of the people to be governor after him, and so
it was done. And on a certain year, as the wheat and
grain was in the ear, lo, Gargon, the governor, dreamed
in his bed at night, and his dream troubled him greatly;
for he saw the grain of the land turn, as it were, into
creeping things and fly away, and so he dreamed for
three times; and morning came, and he awoke ; and there
was one who was an exceeding aged man, who was of the
descendants of those who came from the land of Phoe-
nicia with Minas; and the old man came in unto Gar-
gon, and Gargon spake unto the old man, who was
named Philetus, of the dreams he had ; and after
Philetus had heard the dreams of the governor, he
Spake, saying ; }
What the governor saw shall surely come to pass,
for at the earing time of the grain shall it be destroyed.
Nevertheless, the king hath ordained that the land of
Aegyptus shall help the land of Gehalehmot in trouble,
so let not the heart of the governor die within him.
So Philetus ceased speaking, and went forth from the
presence of Gargon.
And it came to pass, that as the grain swelled in the
ear and the blade thereof grew white unto the harvest,
that there came swarms of mice, and they fell upon
the harvest, so that there was no grain harvested in
—184—
the land; and the people were sore distressed and
alarmed ; and the mice went forth, as it were, a cloud,
and they entered the houses, and consumed the fruit
of the land, so that there was no more anything left
for the people to eat. Then came there after them
falcons and kites; and the falcons were like unto the
dust of the earth for multitude, so that the air was
darkened; and they smote the mice so that they lay in
in heaps all over the land, and the stench thereof was
unendurable; and there arose a dire pestilence by
reason thereof, and a fifth of all the people died by
reason of the pestilence; and the people were appalled,
and came in unto Gargon and besought him to do
Something to release them from the pestilence; and
Philetus came in unto the governor and bid him build
fires all over the land. And the governor did as he
Commanded, and the smoke thereof drave off the
pestilence; and there was but little grain left in the
land. And Gargon sent unto the land of Aegyptus five
hundred camels, for food; and the king of Aegyptus
sent up grain, and sent also many other beasts of
burden, so that the famine in the land was stayed.
Nevertheless, there was great mourning, on account of
the pestilence. And when the next year was come, the
people went forth and cast seed into the earth, and
there was great plenty at the time of harvest. When
the harvest time was past there came into the land
great myriads of flies, and they were like the clouds
of heaven; and the beasts fled before the flies into the
mountains over against the land. So the people were
in Sore distress again; and Philetus came forth and
stood up before the people, and he commanded them
to light fires again at night; and they did so, and the
—185—
flies saw the fire and flew therein and were destroyed.
Nevertheless, some escaped and dwelt by the great
river. -*.
Now the smell of the burning flies went over the
land and created another pestilence, so that one-tenth
part of the people that remained, died by reason
thereof. And the cold season came on and the pesti-
lence was abated, so that the people went forth and
brought down their beasts, and came unto their own
places.
And the people had rest from pestilence; and there
was plenty in the land during the time that Gargon
reigned as governor.
And Philetus, the old patriarch, died, being three
hundred years old.
And the governor after Gargon was named Philetus,
in honor of the old man. So Philetus the younger
was governor of the people of Gehalehmot; and the
fame of the land went forth among all nations; never-
theless, the kings of the earth would not march near
that land for fear of the noisome pestilences which
were reported to fill the land.
So it was that in the first days the people had no
W3.I’S. w sº g .*
Now Philetus, the governor, sent young men down
into the land of Aegyptus, for to learn the wisdom of
the men of Aegyptus. And the Aegyptians had a
method of building monuments, and inscribing thereon.
So the men of Gehalehmot learned it, and it was handed
down unto the latest generations of the people.
And the king Hykos, of Aegyptus, died; and there
was great lamentation for him, for he was a good and
—186—
wise king. And his son Ragmaethon reigned in his
stead. º -
And the young king was minded to build great mon-
uments, such as should be a wonder and an astonish-
ment throughout all coming time. And the monu-
ments were three, and one was for the memory of his
father, and the others were for the men of science to
view the stars of heaven therefrom ; and the monu-
ments which Ragmaethon builded stand in the land of
Aegyptus until this day. Nevertheless, he did not
complete them, for they were three hundred years in
building. -
So the land of Gehalehmot had rest; and the people
increased in substance and in numbers, so that there
was no less men than before the two pestilences.
Philetus also builded cities and set bounds to the land,
so that there should be no contention among the
people.
And at this time began the great king of Assyria to
build the great city of Bablona; and the city sat in
the great plain over against the great river which is in
the land of Assyria.
Now Jeboran, after he had abode in the land of Al-
banas for a year, returned unto the land of Osurus,
and, remaining there for a short season, returned unto
his place, even unto the city of his father, even Algoo-
mah. And Algoonah was rejoiced to see him and made
a great feast in the palace; and the people were full of
rejoicing.
And the men of the province of Mestus sent and
brought Algoonah unto their land, and Jeboran went
also ; nevertheless, he desired not to go, by reason of
all that he had suffered there. And the people of that
—187—
province were greatly rejoiced to see the king, and
ceased from their labors, and came unto their chief
city, and rejoiced to see the king and Jeboran. -
And Algoonah spake unto the people, and com-
mended them for their industry, and then went forth
and viewed the land; and the people showed unto the
king all that they had done, and he was greatly pleased
thereat.
And when he returned unto his own place, they
gave the king a robe made of fine skins of beasts, and
he wore it before the people.
And Algoonah returned unto his own place; and he
sent forth Rassolus for to explore the great river that
was over against the great city.
And Rassolus was the son of Biariah, and was a
youth of great mind. And he took boats and went
down the great river for the space of two months, and
he came into a strange land; and at the end of two
months he came into the great sea; and the waters
thereof were bitter, like unto the waters of the great
sea that is westward of the land of Mezzinaroth. And
the fruits and trees, and birds of that land were differ-
ent from any that had before been seen.
So Rassolus returned unto Algoonah and told him
of all that he had seen, and laid before him all the
fruits of the land; and Algoonah considered within
himself, and he was minded for to send forth Rassolus
for to explore the land to a greater extent so he caused
boats and small ships to be builded, and when the
winter was past he sent Rassolus for to view the land
and he took an hundred and fifty men, and when the
winter was past he went for to view the land; and sail-
ing to the southward, he came unto a large river,
—188—
which cometh from the eastward ; and Rassolus went
up the great river for the space of a whole year; and
the land was a pleasant land, and very fine; and he
encamped there ; and the winter came on, and Rassolus
and those who were with him builded houses, and went
forth and slew of the beasts of the earth, and lived
comfortably until the winter was past, and when the
pleasant season come on he left five and twenty men
with the boats, and went unto the eastward for to view
the land, and he journeyed unto the eastward for the
space of fifty days, and he came unto a great sea like
that unto the westward.
And Rassolus builded a monument there, and turned
him and came back unto the place where he left the
five and twenty men; and they were filled with joy to
See the return of Rassolus; so he made haste and
turned him about, and came down until he came into
the great river of the city of Algoonah, and he journ-
eyed back and came into the presence of Algoonah, and
told him of all that he had seen.
CHAPTER xxIV.
So Rassolus came into the city of Algoonah, and re-
ported unto Algoonah all that he had seen, and all the
discoveries that he had made ; and when the spring
time had come again, did Rassolus go forth with six
score men, and he went down the great river unto the
sea ; and when he had arrived at the sea, he went forth
unto the eastward, and skirted along the coasts of the
land; and so he did for the space of forty days; and
he came unto a land very pleasant and fair, like unto
the land of Arabia. The air was soft and gentle, and
the fragrance of spices were on the winds, and the
voices of birds ceased not day or night; and there was
no cold in the air; and Rassolus called it the land of
Morinah which in the speech of the people, is a land of
delight. -
Now did Rassolus abide there, and pitched his tents,
and plucked of the fruits of the land and was satisfied.
And Rassolus set men to work and builded a monu-
ment of stone, and inscribed thereon the names of the
king and of all the governors of the land; and the in-
scription thereof was in the language of the men of
Aegyptus. -
And there was no need of casting seed in the ground
for the earth brought forth of abundance; and they
grew effeminate, and did no labor.
Now when the temple of Kinar was builded there
came in one who was the patriarch of the people, and
189
—190—
he it was whom Kinar told the things that must come
to pass hereafter.
And the ten men who were set apart for the guard-
ing of the temple and the book, were taken in ; and
the patriarch of the people that day consecrated them
unto the work of the book of Kinar; and they took
the temple and the book; but they wist not what was
contained therein, save such as was necessary to their
duty in taking the care thereof.
And there were cunning workmen in the land; but,
never such an one as Kinar, and there never will be
again; and the men who took care of the temple, were
such as never took wife, for they must needs live with-
out the society of women. -
And when the temple was builded, the people all
sent their gifts thereto.
And the men of Albanas sent gold and precious
stones; and the men of Osurus sent fine wood, and
the temple was completed ; and no man durst enter
therein, save those who were set apart for that pur-
pose, for no man should know of the matter until it be
revealed in the latter days.
Now there was one, Icarus, who was of a curious dis-
position, aud he was minded to enter therein; and when
he essayed so to do, lo, he became as a demoniac, and
his reason left him ; and he never again was of a sound
mind.
Now there was one who was of the lineage of the
people of Mozman, whose name was Ballophron, and
Ballophron lived in the land of Osurus, over the river
that runneth through the land. And Ballophron was
of an ambitious mind, and he essayed to go to the
—191—
northward for to set up a province in which he should
be the governor, and finally the king. -
But Morah forbid him, for the cause that it was not
necessary; for the king, Algoonah, had commanded
that every man should have what land he should be able
to make fruitful. -
And Ballophron was very wroth, and got him into
the fastnesses of the mountains with three hundred
men, who followed him. And Ballophron went forth
and levied tribute on the people, and committed rob-
bery. And when the men who were with him saw this
they left him, save two score, and returned unto the
land of Osurus.
But Ballophron staid in the mountains, and went
forth and harrassed the people as they came up from
the land of Biariah. And Morah sent unto Algoonah,
and told him of the action of Ballophron; and Al-
goonah sent and commanded Morah to send men
against him ; and Morah did so.
But Morah desired not to shed the blood of Ballo-
phron, but sent him word to come down into the land,
and restore what had been taken, and be as he was be-
fore. But Ballophron derided the message of Morah,
and entrenched himself in the mountains, and cast
great stones down on the men who Morah had sent
against him ; so that they were fain to retire from the
presence of Ballophron. -
And he went forth and fell upon the people as they
crossed from the land of Biariah, and slew some, and
took their merchandise, and retreated unto his place.
Then did the spirit of Algoonah burn within him,
and he sent Jeshurim with five hundred men for to drive
Ballophron and his men from the land
—192—
Now Ballophron was crafty, and found a large cave
in the rocks, and he disguised the mouth thereof, so
that a man could not discern it. And Jeshurim was a
man of valor, and his strength was not abated; and he
Set Watchers on the tops of the mountains, and he found
the cave of Ballophron, and he encompassed it about,
and brake down the wall thereof, and summoned Bal-
lophron to submit to the king and give himself up ; but
he answered deridingly, and cast spears and javelins at
Jeshurim.
Then was the anger of Jeshurim enkindled, and he
cast in balls of burning pitch, so that the men therein
were choked by reason thereof, and they came forth,
and fell into the hands of Jeshurim.
So Jeshurim took the men and brought them unto
the city of Osurus. And they were examined by Jebo-
ran, the king’s son, for it was not expedient for the
king to be there.
And Jeboran heard the matter, and judged that Bal-
lophron and those who were with him should surely
die, according to the laws of the people, made in the
city of Laheiah and in the land of Gehalehmot.
And on a certain day were they led forth, and they
had iron spikes drave into the heads of men, so that
they died before the people. And the head of Ballo-
phron was put on a monument in the pass of the moun-
tain ; and the people looked thereon until the third gen-
eration.
Then was there peace and quietude all over the land.
And at this time did Algoonah send forth proclamation
that there should be a grand council of the people every
three years, for to regulate such matters as should be
—193—
necessary, as the people became more numerous; and
it was done as the king commanded.
Now, Rassolus went forth from his place and jour-
neyed to the eastward and to the southward, and
explored the land; and so he did for the space of three
years; and he returned unto his place in the land of
Morinah and abode there; and as he and the men who
were with him abode there, a dire pestilence brake out
among them, so that Rassolus died and all who were
with him, save eight and a score, and the residue of
the men got up in haste and came unto the entrance of
the great river, and farther, made speed and came
unto the city of Algoonah, after they had been gone
for the space of three years and a half; and all the
people mourned for those who were dead, and the men
buried Rassolus and his men and builded a great monu-
ment over them ; and Algoonah sent other men by way
of the river to the northward, of which we shall hear
hereafter.
And the men of Mestus liked not their province by
reason of the cold of the winter, and they went to the
southward, even unto the great river that goeth into
the great river of Algoonah, and abode in that land,
and they were to the eastward over against the great
city of Algoonah.
And on occasion did Biariah read unto the people, of
the ancient land of Gehalehmot and of the people
therein. Philetus was governor in the six hundred and
tenth age of the world; and he was wise and did that
which was right and proper; and his young men were
learned in all the science of Aegyptus, and they
trafficked with the land of Aegyptus, and brought the
fruit of the land therein.
—194–
Now, there lived in the land of Gehalehmot a
renowned man, and he was of the land of Sinar, and
he camc unto the land. His name was Aoba, and he
was very rich and very renowned. And Aoba was a just
man and good; and on a certain day, as Aoba sat in
his house, dire disasters befell him. First, his flocks
and herds died, then his children and their little
ones, and then his grain was destroyed by fire, then a
dire pestilence brake out on his body. Nevertheless,
Aoba recovered therefrom, and became again a rich
man. Aoba was of the land of Sinar; nevertheless he
abode in the land, and Philetus loved Aoba, and made
him a great man in the land, so that he was next to the
governor in authority. And the people were a simple
and child-like people; and no king of the earth turned in
hither for to take the land; and Aoba taught unto the
people the art of pottery, for he wrought thereat him-
self; and the people first made vessels of clay at this
time, and they taught the art unto the people of
Aegyptus; and the men of Aegyptus became very
skilful thereat. And many more like things did Aoba
teach unto the people, for he was a wise and cunning
man. And thus did Biariah read unto the people.
Now, Algoonah sent forth proclamation that all the
people should be numbered, and it was done, and the
people had increased mightily and multiplied exceed-
ingly, and the land had rest and peace.
CHAPTER XXV.
Now, all the years that the people were in the land
of Mezzinaroth were thirty and four years, and the
people had increased and multiplied greatly, so that
Algoonah sent men for to explore the land for to find
suitable places for suitable provinces; and he sent
Gonath, the brother of Rassolus ; and Gonath went
down the great rivér for the space of forty days, and
came unto a goodly land on the hither side of the great
river; and the land was fine and pleasant; and he cast
Seed into the earth and builded houses, and remained
there until the year was past. And Gonath returned unto
the king and told him of the land; and Algoonah sent
Jeshurim with one hundred thousand men, and they
wrought that year and dug trenches and builded a city,
and made a province ready to be inhabited. And the
men came and brought their wives and little ones and
dwelt in the land, and it was a fair and pleasant land.
So on a certain time Algoonah was minded to go
down and view the land; and he was nigh an hundred
years old, yet was not his natural strength abated, nei-
ther did his head bow by reason of the years thereon.
And the land was a fertile land and prospered greatly,
so that when Algoonah returned he sent another hun-
dred thousand men from the province of Biariah for
to fill the land. And he set Gonath over the province
for Governor.
195
—196—
And Gonath sent two wise and discreet youths to be
of those who kept the temple of Kinar and the books
thereof. -
And on a certain time there came forth from the
temple of Kinar one of those who kept it ; and he
went forth to instruct the people in the art of measur-
ing ; for these men were all the time learning of what
would be valuable unto the people; and they set
bounds unto the land. After this was builded walls
great and long; and the men viewed the stars of heaven
and gave names thereto, and foretold that which should
come to pass if the sun or moon be darkened. And
the wise men of the temple of Kinar explained these
things unto the people, so that they feared no more
when it should happen.
And the city of Algoonah was famous for the vessels
of clay which were made therein; for the workmen
were very skillful, and the people followed the arts of
Aegyptus and Katharia in all things save one.
Now there were six provinces in the land. First, was
the province of Jeshurim, where the king lived; then
the province of Biariah ; then the province of Mestus;
then the province of Gonath; then the province of Os-
urus; then the province of Albanas. And the people
waxed great in the land of Mezzinaroth, and the land
looked like the land of Katharia or of Assyria, for the
people builded highways, and set ditches, and mounds
in the land.
At this time did Albanas send forth certain men
unto the southward for to view the land. And there
were four and twenty men in the ship, and they went
forth to the southward; and Albanas nor the people
of the land never heard of them more ; for a storm
—197—
drave away unto an island, and they must needs abide
thereon, for they knew not to return; and their ship
was broken on the shore of the island; and the history
thereof will one day be written.
Now Biariah had a son named Jaban, who was of the
wisest of the men of the land; and Biariah had in-
structed Jaban in the secret matters of the history of
the people.
And Biariah was old and much stricken of years.
And his strength forsook him and he lay him down in
his bed, and his end drew near.
So he sent for Algoonah, who came in haste and
viewed Biariah as he lay in his bed. And Biariah
spake kindly unto Algoonah and comforted him ; for
he wept and was heavy of heart. So Biariah said, Lo,
I am as a sheaf of corn fully ripe; my body is dead,
and the time for me to be gathered in has come. I
trust all the matters of the history of the people unto
Jaban, my son.
So Biariah died, and Algoonah sent forth unto the
uttermost parts of the land that the people should
mourn for Biariah ; and it was done.
And they buried Biariah over against the great river,
and inscribed his name on a monument, and set it up
there. And the province was called the province of
Biariah ; for he was a good and an upright man, and
always did that which was right.
And Biariah was born in the land of Gehalehmot
and in the city of Laheiah ; and his father was the
ruler. of the city of Laheiah ; and all the years of
Biariah were an hundred and eighteen.
So the people all mourned for Biariah, and Jaban
—198—
was the governor in his stead; and he was a just man,
and good, and loved the people.
Now Jaban liked not the land of Biariah, by reason
of there being often a lack of rain therein, in the time
of the earing of the corn; and he devised means of
bringing water from the great river, onto the land, after
the manner of the men of Aegyptus, and it was well;
and the people overcame the drought of the land.
Now the province of Osurus was a fruitful land, and
the people did much traffic with the men of the other
parts of the land; for they made salt and sent it unto
the other parts of the land; and there was gold and
silver and precious stones there; and they brought
the gold and silver and brass into the great city of Al-
goonah ; and he commanded that the cunning workmen
make money thereof. And it was done, and it was sent
into all parts of the land; so the people trafficked there-
with. -
And the land of Albanas increased and multiplied
greatly; for there came of the people from all parts of
the land. And Galbronus went with the ships, and went
and came three times in each year; and the king’s son
Jeboran, abode in the land of Albanas, for he was
pleased with that land.
Nevertheless, every second year he went unto the
city of Algoonah, for to see his father, and to see the
people of the land; and Jeboran went into the land of
Gonath and viewed it, and was pleased thereat ; for
the province was in appearance like unto the garden
of the king of Katharia; and while Jeboran was in the
city of Algoonah, the grand council of the people were
gathered together in the temple of the people.
—199—
And Algoonah sat upon a throne in the hither end of
the temple, and did as was his wont.
So he stood up and caused the trumpet to blow, and
there was silence; and the king spake unto the people,
and told them of the prosperity of all the land, and
that it would be so even unto the latest generations if
there was peace between all the men of the land.
And he pursuaded the grand council for to be very
wise and discreet in their laws and regulations; and the
people of the council heard Algoonah with great atten-
tion, for they loved him. And the grand council sat for
the space of two months; then each man returned unto
his place.
Now Albanas had waited two years and over, and
all the men whom he had sent forth to explore the
land returned not, and he sent other men to look for
them ; so they sailed to the southward along time, even
for the space of a half year, and they saw not the men.
And they came into the land which was exceeding
warm, so that the pitch on the seams of the ship was
melted, and did run out ; and the men became
alarmed, and returned speedily unto their own land.
And Albanas was troubled and perplexed, by reason
of the first men not returning; and hec eased not to
search for them for the space of ten years, and he
found them not ; and Jeboran returned unto the land of
Albanas and abode there.
And Morah, the governor of the land of Osurus,
builded an highway unto the mountains as thou goest
over unto the land of Biariah, and it was cast up for
the height of three cubits length; and the people traf-
ficked over the highway, and went and came thereon,
And Algoonah caused a highway to be builded into
—200–
the great city, and it was done; and the men of the
province of Mestus being removed southward from
their land, abode on the river which cometh from the
eastward; and they had a pleasant and a fruitful land;
and they were thirty days’ journey to the eastward from
the city of Algoonah, and they builded a highway
thereto.
And Algoonah caused a bridge of boats to be build-
ed over the great river, and it was done; so they went
and came on the bridge of boats which Algoonah had
builded. -
And Jaban, the son of Biariah, was governor of the
province of Biariah, and he sat in the council like un-
to his father; and he read unto the people of the for-
mer history of the peo le, as we shall see in the next
chapter.
CHAPTER XXVI.
And the history of the ancient people of Gehaleh-
mot, read by Jaban, the son of Biariah, was after this
wise :
Philetus was governor in the land of Gehalehmot, in
the six hundred and tenth age of the world.
Now there were in the land of Gheba certain of the
people who kept the great temple of fire, for the peo-
ple of Gheba worshipped fire; and the men who kept the
temple must needs keep the fire alive, or they died. And
the chief priest of the temple was named Exus. He
was a young man of great mind, and he stood in the
temple continually and ministered there. There were
two inner courts there, which all the people might
enter; but there were two other courts," which were
farther in, which the people might not enter, for fear
of being slain.
And there was still another court which none might
enter, save the chief priest of the temple, who was, at
this time, Exus. And he went in every sixth hour and
fed the sacred fire with fine-oil, that it should not die.
And if it should die, the tradition of the people was,
that all the land of Gheba should be laid waste and ut-
terly destroyed; and the tradition of the people was,
that the sacred fire had been burning for two thousand
years; and at the first it had been brought from the
mountains, which are great and high, over against the
land of Gheba.
201
—202–
Now the chief priest must needs keep the fire alive,
or he should surely die; and when he went into the
inner court of the temple, where the sacred fire was
burning, the other priests stripped him of his raiment,
that he should take nothing to rekindle the fire, if haply
it should be dead. -
And he took a lamp and lighted it there, to show the
other priests that the fire was still burning; and with
the lamp were lighted other fires, that the people might
take thereof unto their dwellings, and so have the fire
continually before them. *
And Exus went and came in the presence of the
priests, and fed the holy fire; and if the kings of
Gheba went forth to war against other kings, there
was a lamp lighted at the sacred fire and borne before
the people; and part of the priests of the great temple
went with it to tend it; and if it so happened that the
fire was put out, then did the men of Gheba retreat
before their enemies.
So the fire was kept burning continually. And Exus
was troubled on account thereof, for the fire was grow-
ing more feeble every day. And he took double meas-
ure of oil and fed the fire; still it burned very low, and
was at length but a spark.
And Exus feared to speak of the matter to the in-
ferior priests and to the people. And every day did
the king of Gheba send a messenger for to inquire of
the sacred fire, for the people and the king supposed
that if the fire should die, then would all the people
perish from the earth.
So Fxus stayed by the fire, and fed it for half the day
and half the night, so at length it burned more brightly
for a season.
—203—
Now the place where the fire was, was ten cubits long,
ten cubits wide, and five cubits high, and the altar
thereof was builded of black stone, fine and smooth ;
and no man knew when it was builded, or when the fire
was lighted thereon.
And the court of the temple, wherein the fire was,
was not lighted from without, and the priest durst not
light any lamp therein; and the darkness therein was
great, by reason of the lowness of the fire.
So Exus tended it with great diligence and solicitude,
by reason of the tradition of the people; and he must
needs light a lamp every day to bring forth unto the
people for to give them fire; and the people would take
the fire into their houses, and keep it there. -
So, on a certain day, as Exus went in for to tend the
Sacred fire—as he entered the court he must needs al-
ways close theportals of each court behind him—as he
entered the inner court of the fire, lo, it seemed to be
dead, but by carefully perceiving, he saw there was
yet a spark then of living, and he blew it, and fed it
with oil, and it burned again.
Then the fire burned brightly after a season, and im-
proved daily.
So Exus, when he cleaned the altar of the fire, made
a close scrutiny, and found certain tubes leading down-
ward, which fed in the air unto the sacred fire, and by
reason of age were they filled up. .
So Exus cleansed the tubes, and the fire burned very
brightly, so that it lighted the court, and warmed it, as
would the sun. - -
Then, on a certain day, did Exus call the priests of
the temple together, and had a feast of rejoicing; and
they wist not what made Exus so merry.
—204—
Then did the king of Gheba go forth unto battle;
and he was a young king, and full of rashness; and he
came unto the temple and demanded of the priests to
admit him into the presence of the sacred fire. And
Exus, the chief priest, was in the inner temple tending
the fire, and the inferior priests besought the young
king to go no farther. But he was hasty, and violent
in temper, and drew his sword and vowed to enter into
the place of the sacred fire. And the priests durst not
oppose him ; and he went on, leaving the portals of the
courts open after him.
So Exus heard some one coming and was filled with
alarm, not knowing what to do ; so the king came on,
and opened the portals of the sacred court, and the
wind followed him, and the wind went in and the
sacred fire was extinguished. And Exus had a lamp
he had just lighted, and he essayed to relight the fire;
but the king at this time hastily closed the portals, and
the sacred fire ceased to burn. Then did Exus haste
him from thence and left the king in the sacred place;
and Exus took the five hundred priests and fled from
the land in the night, in great alarm, for he feared the
vengeance of the young king.
So Exus gat him up with the priests and came by
night into a desert place among the mountains; but
they first took of the sacrifices of the temple, fruits
and meats, and camels.
So they hastened from the land of Gheba and came
by chance unto the land of Gehalehmot; and the
people treated them kindly, and gave them to eat, and
brought them into the presence of Philetus, the gover-
nor. And Exus, being the leader, bowed himself unto
—205—
the governor, and spake unto him in the language of
Aegyptus, and said, We have come into thy land, O
King.
Then did Philetus speak unto him, saying, We
are a simple people who tend our flocks and herds,
and have no king. I am but one of the people,
and must needs work as do my people. Nevertheless,
we go not to war and are content to live in peace with
all men.
And when Exus heard this, he was greatly pleased,
and he opened his mouth and spake thus unto Philetus:
Thy servants have been priests in the land of Gheba,
in the great temple of fire, in the chief city of that
land; and the tradition of our people hath been, That
if the sacred fire should die, then should the priests be
put to death, and all in the land should die by reason of
pestilence. Now, this twelve years hath thy servant
been chief priest in the great temple, and no eyes have
seen it save mine. And the young king of Gheba,
being rash and violent, essayed to enter in and light
his lamp to go before the host going in to battle. Not
desiring to wait for the lamp to be lighted by the
priest, as was the custom ; and the wind followed him
and extinguished the sacred fire. So thy servants, the
priests, were filled with alarm, and have fled down
hither, even thirty days’ journey, unto the borders of
thy land. Now, we pray thee, let us have a portion of
thy land, that we die not in the desert; or rather, we
will be the servants of thy people, and labor for them.
Then did Philetus rend his garment, and say, May
the pestilence of mice and of flies fall upon me, if I
make of thee servants. Lo, the land is before thee;
thou shalt be our brethren, and shall sit down and
—206–
rise up as seemeth best unto thee. Go forth, and say
where thou wilt abide.
Then was Exus much moved, and Philetus embraced
him ; and they abode for a season in that place; and
Philetus set them a portion in the land where it was a
pleasant and fertile place. And the five hundred
priests went down thither; and the people gave them
beasts, and seed to cast into the earth. And the priests
wrought in the fields and were greatly pleased.
Then Philetus saith unto Exus, If it is thy will to
continue the worship of the fire, lo, thou shalt do as
seemeth best in thy sight.
But Exus answered him, saying:
I do not desire to worship the fire any longer, for I
am persuaded that the fire hath no power for good or
evil, Save as man permitteth it.
And Philetus bid him to do as he saw proper.
Now, the priests had been reared so that they had
never known woman. And they had been learned in
all the wisdom of the earth. Nevertheless, they yearned
to be as the men of the land, and each have him a
wife, as did other men.
So Exus went unto Philetus and laid the matter
before him.
And it troubled Philetus, for there were not sufficient
young virgins in the land. So he wrote a message unto
his friend Ragmaethon, the king of Aegyptus. And
the king pondered the mattter well, and then wrote
unto Philetus, saying: &
Let the young men come into my land, even the land
of Aegyptus; and let them labor in the land and choose
from the daughters of my people, every man a wife;
—207–
and let the matter be secret from the people of
Aegyptus. -
So the thing pleased Philetus and Exus, and it was
done as the king suggested. And they went down into
the land of Aegyptus at the time of the harvest and
wrought among the people of Aegyptus, all save Exus,
who was enamored of the daughter of Philetus; and
he took her to wife in the presence of the people, after
the manner of the people of Gehalehmot. And the
others went down into the land of Aegyptus, and
became enamored of the daughters of Aegyptus, and
sought to have them to wife. à
Now was there a law in the land, that no one should
be betrothed unto an alien, save by consent of the king.
So the matter was laid before the king, and he con-
sented, if each should first labor in the land for a year;
and it was accomplished. And when the year was past
the king gave each man a beast, and two changes of
raiment, and blessed them ; and they went into the
land of Gehalehmot and became as the people thereof.
And Philetus waxed old and stricken in years, and
his strength failed him.
And Exus brought many useful arts into the land,
and he wrought with Aoba, and respected him, for Aoba
was a good and just man, and also very wise. Then
did all the people love Exus for his wisdom and good-
Il&SS. -
And Philetus died and was buried in the land of Ge-
halehmot, and Exus was governor in his room.
And Exus went forth and viewed the land, and set
bounds to every man’s possessions, and set teachers
over the people, and learned them the arts which Aoba
taught him.
—208—
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Exus as
governor of the people, Aoba gat him up from the
midst of the people, and took his sons and his daugh-
ters, and his flocks and herds, and went from the land;
and no man knoweth unto this day whither he went.
And Exus was exceeding sorry, and mourned by rea-
son of the departure of Aoba from the land.
Now before he removed from the land had Aoba
builded an altar of hewn stones, over against the great
river; and the altar was respected by the people, and
no man durst tear it down.
But the people increased and multiplied all over the
land. And Exus ruled the people with wisdom, and
all the people, loved him.
Now the land of Aegyptus was a fair land, and a
powerful and they were learned in all the wisdom
of the earth, and no king durst come down to war there-
with ; and the king thereof loved the people of Geha-
lehmot, and looked upon them as his people.
And he sent unto Exus, saying, Come down hither
in the fourth moon of the year, and witness the festivi-
ties of my people.
And Exus went down with four-and-twenty camel
loads of presents of the produce of the land for to
present unto the king. And the king was much
pleased, and gave unto Exus a chain of gold and a
vestment of blue, of fine limen.
And Exus viewed the festivities of the land; and
when he returned he commanded that the blue vest-
ment should be the vestment of the people, and it was
So unto the latest generations.
—209—
And when Jaban read unto the people, of the ancient
people of Gehalehmot, they were filled with astonish-
ment thereat; and Algoonah commanded that the his-
tory be written on parchment of skins of beasts, fine
and white; and it was done as he commanded.
CHAPTER XXVII.
Now the province of Mestus was to the eastward from
the great city of Algoonah ; and they dwelt by the side
of the great river that runneth to the westward from the
mountains into the great river of Algoonah.
Now there were in the forest there, many vines bear-
ing grapes, and the people took them and tilled them ;
and they were large and fine; and there were much of
the vines planted. So there was a man named Tervan,
who was a skilful man, and he took of the grapes and
made wine; and the household of Tervan took of the
wine and drank thereof, and they became drunken.
And while they were drunken they cursed Algoonah,
the king, and made riotous actions.
And when Mestus heard thereof he sent and took
Tervan and his household and rebuked them, and com-
manded him to cast the wine out. So he let Tervan
go his way; but he did not as the governor commanded,
but at the winter feasts he had a large concourse of
his kindred and his neighbors with him ; and he gave
them of the wine, and they all became drunken, and
they quarreled one with another; and they became
heated and fell upon one another; and there were four
slain. *
So the word went forth unto Mestus the governor,
and he was filled with sorrow and horror thereat, so
that he rent his garment, and cast dust upon his
head.
210
—211—
Now when Tervan came to himself, and those who
were with him, he was greatly appalled, and they rose
up hastily and went forth by night, and came unto the
former place of the province of Mestus; and there were
eighty and four men, women and children; and they
took their beasts and provender and came unto the for-
mer place; and they had a sore journey, by reason of
the cold.
Nevertheless, they came in safety, and there were
houses there, and some granaries of corn which had
been left for cases of travelers journeying thither.
So they made shift to abide there until the pleasant
season should come ; then did Tervan go unto the west-
ward twenty and eight days journey, and halted by the
great river.
And they could not cross, so they cast seed into the
earth and abode there in terror of the king Algoonah,
for they feared his anger; so they builded houses and
abode there for a Season.
Then when Algoonah heard of this affair he was
much appalled, and Smote upon his breast, and said:
Alas, that my people should shed each others blood,
and become more foolish than the wild men.
So he made proclamation that whosoever should
henceforth, make wine, should be accursed ; and the
proclamation went forth, and the people respected it.
Now the produce of the land was very great, and
there was great labor in threshing the grain.
So the wise men of the house of Kinar devised means
to lighten the labors of the people; so they communed
with one another, and after the seed was cast into the
earth they went forth and instructed the people, how
hey might build threshing floors; and one was builded
—212—
near the great city of Algoonah, and one was builded
in the province of Gonath, and the threshing floors
were six thousand cubits in compass, and they were
laid strong and smooth.
So they were builded after the plan of the men of
the house of Kinar, and there was made implements to
beat out the corn from the straw ; and when the har-
vest was past, the people brought their substance thither
and it was found that they made greater speed than
ever before.
So they made other threshing floors, even greater
than these, and it was a great convenience unto the
people.
So Algoonah sought not to follow Tervan or to pun-
ish him, but was sorrowful on account thereof.
And the king commanded that there be another great
feast established ; and it was to be in the season of the
gathering of the harvest, and was called the Meshnonah
or the feast of the threshing floors.
So it was observed by all the people.
Then at the time of the midwinter feasts did Jaban
read unto the people, of the history of the ancient men
of Gehalehmot. -
And on the twenty fifth year of the reign of Exus,
as governor of the people, did Ragmaethon the king
of Aegyptus die, and his son Rimahylos sit on his
throne in his stead ; and Rmahykos was of the age of
eight years when he began to reign, and his uncle
Aesopus ruled for him.
And Aesopus was cruel and crafty, and he desired
the death of Rmahykos, so he bribed the king’s ser-
vants, and the doctors of the king’s chamber; and he
intended to slay the young king in his bed; but the
—213—
mother of the lad took him secretly and fled in dis-
guise from the land; and she fled by night toward the
land of Gehalehmot, and happily came in with a cara-
van, going with merchandise down into the land of
Gehalehmot. -
And she made as if she was going down to dwell in
the land.
And she feared to reveal unto the governor of the
land, who they were ; so she turned aside and dwelt
among the shepherds in the plain over against the great
river of the land of Gehalehmot.
And Rnahykos tended the flocks and wrought with
the shepherds; and no man knew him.
And when Aesopus found that the young king was
gone, he made diligent search all over the land; but
the mother of the king was cunning, and he found him
not.
So he gave out word that the young king had died;
and his cunning men made an image thereof of wax,
and laid it in a coffin, and it was buried among the
kings’ sepulchres. - :
So he was proclaimed king by the name of Merohy-
kos; and he was cruel and crafty, and laid heavy bur-
dens on the people. And he claimed tribute of the
land of Gehalehmot. But when the tax gatherers of
Merohykos came into the land, the governor laid before
them the ancient parchment of the good king Hykos,
of Aegyptus; and the tax gatherers went unto their
own land, and told of the matter unto the king. And
when he had heard their report he was filled with wrath,
and he smote off the heads of the tax gatherers.
And when the next year was come he sent other tax
gatherers, who had witnessed the death of those who
—214—
went before them, and sent word further unto Exus,
saying:
Unless thou sendest the tribute of the land, I will
surely come down with mine army and lay the whole
land waste and desolate, and make your habitations
the abode of doleful creatures; even the beasts of the
forest.
Then Exus called together the heads of the people
and laid the matter before them. And the wisest of
the men said (who also was of the descendants of those
who came from the land of Phoenicia): .
If we pay this tribute, lo, the king will continually
spoil our land, so we will be made desolate at the last.
Lo, our arms are strong, and let us make ready and
meet the great king, and fall before our own habita-
tions. -
So Exus sent away the tax gatherers, and refused to
pay the tribute. And then Exus sent forth and called
unto the heads of the people, and made ready for to
go down and fight with the king of Aegyptus.
And the men were gathered in companies to the
number of three thousand. And the men of Gehaleh-
mot were of great strength and endurance—and they
continually slang stones and shot with large and strong
arrows—and made ready for battle.
And the lad Asis, who was Rmahykos, the young
king, went forth, being twelve years old, and desired
for to do battle with the men. And Exus tried to pre-
vail against him; but Asis would not be delayed. So
Exus took him near unto him, and treated him gently.
And at the time of the yearning of the lambs, the
king of Aegyptus, even Merohykos, gathered an army
of forty thousand, and came in haste unto the land of
Sº
—215—
Gehalehmot for to lay it waste. And he journeyed by
way of the desert, and came at night unto the land.
Now the men of Aegyptus were very loath to go
down and spoil the land. Nevertheless, they went,
being afraid of the power of the king.
Now they came near, and Merohykos said within him-
self:
I will come over in the night and fall upon the peo-
ple, so they shall be scattered like unto sheep. -
And he drew near unto the borders of the land; and
when the sun shone in the morning very early, it Cast
its beams on the waters with which the people watered
their lands withal; and the water in the trenches was
red like unto blood, by reason of the redness of the
early beams of the sun. g
And the army of Aegyptus, and the king thereof,
looked, and they were filled with terror. And all the
men of the army said:
Lo, it is the blood of our brethren |
And they turned about and fled with great fear, and
the king could not turn them back. And they rested
not until they came unto the plain over against the
great river. p *
And the army of Aegyptus went back into their own
land; and the king got him other men, and came again
for to lay waste the land the next year.
So when Exus heard that the army of the king of
Aegyptus was at hand, he gathered the people together,
and sent the women back, and made him ready to make
what shift he might for to fight the army of the king.
So when the morning was come, he looked forth
unto the borders of the land and saw the army of
Aegyptus; and the army of Aegyptus turned and fled,
—216—
and he knew not the reason; for he thought him not
of the sun shining upon the waters, or that it would
terrify the army of Aegyptus,
So he knew not what they might do, or the reason
of their flight. So he sent forth spies, who followed
the army of Aegyptus near unto their own land; and
the spies returned and told Exus of the return of the
army.
So he supposed the king had repented him of
destroying the land; and he sent every man unto his
place, and went in peace unto his own house. Never-
theless, he bid the people be ready to come forth
again when he should call them.
And on the next year Merohykus made ready a
greater army, and came down to destroy the land; and
the king led the army himself, for he distrusted the
people, for he knew of the good will of his people
unto the people of Gehalehmot. So he came down
and encamped over against the land; and he entered
the land in the day time, and went into the land and
encamped a half day's journey in the land.
Now, Exus had the people on horses, and they fell
back from before the army of Aegyptus, for Exus
desired not to meet the king on the plain, but
among the hills. And Exus divided the people in two
parts, and one part went secretly by night and went in
behind the army of Aegyptus. And the lad Asis was
with those who went behind. And Exus gave the
commander strict charge to keep the lad in safety.
Now, Asis rode upon a white horse, and he had the
garment of a shepherd of Gehalehmot on, and under
it the raiment of the kings of Aegyptus as they sat
upon their thone. Now, the mother of the Jad clad
—217–
him in this fashion, and bid him what to do. So he
went with the portion of the men in the rear of the
army of Aegyptus.
Now, when the morning was come, the king of
Aegyptus drew up the army in array of battle ; and
as the sun rose he moved forth to meet the men of
Gehalehmot, who were in his front; and the men of
Gehalehmot closed in upon him, and rode within a bow
shot of the army of Aegyptus before and behind ; and
the men of Aegyptus were loath to begin the battle
with the people, and they were heavy of heart. So
Merohykos lifted himself in his chariot and blew a
trumpet, and commanded that the army fall upon the
people of the land.
But the men of Gehalehmot were too nimble to per-
mit them to come near them. And on a sudden the
lad Asis rode upon his white horse and came into the
army of Aegyptus from the rear. And all the army
wondered to see such a youth in battle. And when he
came among the men of Aegyptus he cast off his shep-
herd's garment, and the captains of the hosts knew
him. And Asis lifted up his voice with his greatest
strength and said:
Behold the anointed king of Aegyptus. And there
was a great shout in the army of Aegyptus; and the
men gathered about him, and the chief captains did
homage unto him. And the king heard the uproar
and knew not the reason thereof. So he turned him
and bid the people go forth and Smite the men of Ge-
halehmot.
And the king wore the crown of Aegyptus on his
head. And Rmahykos commanded Phofaron, the cap-
tain of the host, to Smite Merohykos ; and Phofaron
—218—
took a spear and ran it through Merohykos as he stood
in his chariot, and he fell therein and died.
So Phofaron called back the people, and set the
crown of Aegyptus on the head of Rmahykos; and
Phofaron blew a trumpet, and the people halted in
their place. *
Now when Exus saw the movements of the army he
was filled with amazement, and so were his people ;
and every man stood in his place, and looked at the
army of Aegyptus; for they made no movement to
fight with the people of Gehalehmot.
So while they beheld, Rmahykos sent an emissary
unto Exus; and the emissary came alone and without
arms; so Exus suffered him to approach, and he came
apace. And he said unto Exus, The young king Rma-
hykos greeteth thee, and desireth to make peace with
thee immediately, which shall endure unto the latest
generations.
And Exus was filled with amazement, and he knew
not what to do, thinking the king desired to take him
by craft, and he sent a trusty man to see. And he
went, and after a short space returned, saying, Come
and see the great mystery of the men of Aegyptus.
And then Exus came, and certain trusty men with
him. And the men of Aegyptus had laid their arms
upon the ground. And when Exus came he saw Rma-
hykos sitting in the king’s chariot, and a crown upon
his head, and the purple robe of the kings of Aegyp-
tus on him ; and all the men were doing obeisance
unto him. *
So Exus was filled with amazement, and did obei-
sance unto Rmahykos, not knowing what he did, so
great was his astonishment.
—219–
And Rmahykos said, Fear not, my old friend; thou
art a good and true man, and the welfare of thy people
is thy great care; Lo, arise and let us make a peace
which shall endure unto the latest generations.
And Rmahykos told unto Exus of all that had hap-
pened, and of the usurpation of Merohykos.
And they made a peace there.
And Rimahykos turned him and marched the army
out from the land, and went unto the place where his
mother was, and took her and went forth unto the land
of Aegyptus.
Now there were many of the chief men of the king’s
household who were wicked and deceitful men, like
unto Merohykos; and when the army returned Rma-
hykos took them, to the number of two score, and put
them to death without mercy.
And the body of Merohykos was buried on the plain
outside the borders of the land of Gehalehmot.
And Rnahykos sat upon the throne of Aegyptus,
and ruled the land in peace. And he was fourteen
years old; and he sat upon the throne of Aegyptus
sixty and eight years.
So the land of Gehalehmot had peace, and every
man returned unto his labor; and there was no man
slain in battle save the false king Merohykos; and the
land increased and multiplied. -
Thus did Jaban read unto the people.
And Jeboran, the king’s son, dwelt in the land of
Albanas. And the province of Albanas waxed rich and
increased in numbers continually ; for the men of other
provinces came thither, and Albanas gave them a por-
—220–
tion of the land. Neverthless, the province of Gonath
increased also ; and there was much substance in the
land, for the people set the residue thereof in grana-
ries, if haply there might be famine in the land.
CHAPTER xxvii.
ſºmº-ºmme
Now Jaban prepared the ancient histories of the men
of Gehalehmot, and read unto the people from time to
time. -
And Exus did govern the people with wisdom and
moderation; and the young king Rmahykos of Aegyp-
tus, was exceedingly friendly unto the men of Gehaleh-
mot, and every year he sent presents unto Exus, and
unto the chief men of Gehalehmot.
So Exus looked over the land, and lo, it was in
peace from one border even unto the other; and he
called the grand council of the people together, and
the council was great. -
And there was difficulty in getting the people to come
together and observe order; and the messenger of the
king of Aegyptus stood there and witnessed the disor-
der of the people, and when he returned unto his own
land, he told unto the king thereof.
And the king caused his cunning workmen to make a
trumpet of gold, and he inscribed thereon the names of
the governor and chief men of Gehalehmot; and he
sent it down and gave it unto the governor, for to call
the people to silence; and thus it was that the golden
trumpet was the means of calling silence in the coun-
cils of the people through all generations. -
Then there came into the land one who was of the
le of Gheba.
peop 221
—222–
And Exus was filled with astonishment to see him,
for it had been forty years since he left the land.
Nevertheless, Exus told the man not who he was un-
til he had taken him and proved him ; so the young
man’s name was Senoba. And Senoba was taken in the
governor’s household as a chamberlain of the temple;
and on a certain day Exus had him in, and told him
who he was, and desired to know how the people of
Gheba had prospered since that time.
And Senoba spake, and said, Wonderful things have
been in the land since thou left it ; but first, let me
tell thee how I came down thither; know thee there-
fore, that I am the brother of the king, and I was born
in the twentieth year of his reign, for my father was
the prime minister, even the father of the king, and the
king brought me unto his house, and I was as one of
his servants.
Now there was one of the chamberlains of the king’s
house whose name was Ahak, and he was a just an
good man. -
So Ahak instructed me in all the knowledge and
wisdom of Aegyptus, and of Gheba ; and this he did
from stealth, for the king desired not that I should be
learned, for he feared my influence on the people.
Nevertheless, I increased in wisdom and learning,
and Ahak sat me in the room of the books for to keep
it ; and I did secretly read of all the wisdom of the
nations of the earth.
Now there was one who at the time of the great
feast of the sun, did recite before the king, poetry;
and I heard the poetry; and when the next year came
around, the poet of the king came into the room of the
—223–
books, and he was sore distressed, and could not write,
for the subject had left his mind.
So it happened that I had written a poem for to
amuse my mind, and written it on parchment, and the
tenor thereof was of the ancient history of the people
of the world, and how the sacred fire came down from
the great mountains; and I caused the poet of the king
to sware that he would never reveal the author thereof.
So I read it in his presence; and when I read it, the
poet was delighted thereat, and desired it of me to read
before the king. -
So when the time was come for the great feast of
the sun, the king called for the poet, and he stood up,
and read the poem I had written.
And when the king heard thereof, he made procla-
mation, that the writer of the poem should ride on a
horse through the streets of the great city, and a herald
should proclaim that he was second man in the king-
dom; and the king swore thereto by the sacred fire.
Then was the poet greatly alarmed, and shook with
fear; and the king saw the reason thereof, and he was
greatly angered at the poet, for he saw the poet wrote
not the poem.
Now it was death to lie unto the king; so the poet
durst not tell, by reason of his vow to me. And the
king put him in torture until he revealed the writer of
the poem ; so he told the king the whole matter, and
the king kept his oath, and set me on a horse, and
caused a herald to proclaim before me that I was the
second man unto the king in the kingdom; and thus
he did all the time of the great feast.
Now Ahak came unto me privately, and bid me de-
part in haste, by way of the desert by night, for he
—224—
knew the king would surely do me hurt; so he gave
unto me a camel, and I departed hastily and came into
the land of Aegyptus; and I heard of thy land, and
came up hither, and entered thy borders.
Then was Exus much moved at the story, and said
unto him, Thy name shall, hereafter, be Manos, for
thou art of great wisdom; and he prayed Manos to go
on and tell of the history of the people, after the Sa-
cred fire was dead, when Exus left that land.
So Manos spake as follows:
When thou didst depart from the land, the sacred
fire, as thou knowest, was dead in the great temple of
fire. And the young king feared not, but went forth
from the temple and got a brand from the house of an
husbandman, and he laid it on the sacred altar, and it
burned brightly. And he set new priests over the fire,
and gave them charge concerning it. But the fire was
strange and the priests understood it not. And there
was great calamity in the land, for the only son of the
king died; and the pestilence broke out all over the
land. -
Then did the king make sacrifice on the sacred altar
of the only child which was born unto him during the
pestilence. And when this was done, the tradition of
the people saith that the sacred fire descended and
rested upon the altar. And the priests went in and
ministered unto it as thou didst when thou wast the
high priest. And it has since burned continually.
Notwithstanding, more than one-third of all the people
died by reason of the pestilence; and the king hath
not been of sound mind since.
And when he had done speaking, Exus spake, saying:
I believe not in the fire, save as a useful creature of
—225—
convenience unto the children of men; and as for the
pestilence, lo, this land hath twice been desolated with
pestilence, and no man could see any reason for it. So
Exus took Manos and set him among the people, and
he forsook the customs of the men of Gheba, and
became as one of the people.
And the land was at rest, for no king of the earth
came into it for to despoil it after Merohykos, the false
king of Aegyptus. And Manos went forth, and was
among the people, and the people respected him for
his wisdom and cunning. So that there was no one so
much beloved as he. And Exus was seventy and eight
years old when Manos came into the land.
And when Algoonah looked forth and beheld the
land of Mezzinaroth, he saw that it was a goodly land
and in peace. And nothing troubled Algoonah save
the actions of Tervan, and those who were with him;
and he wist not what had become of them.
Now Tervan, and those who were with him, abode
by the great river to the westward from the lake coun-
try, where the province of Mestus first was. And they
staid there until the winter; and when the great river
was bridged by the frost, did Tervan arise and those
who were with him, and first builded houses on the
farther side thereof, and they had things needful. And
when the pleasant season of the year had come, did
Tervan go thirty days’ journey to the westward and
abode by a small river in that land. And the land was
a goodly land, and brought forth abundantly, and he
abode there. And when the people of Tervan had rest,
after casting seed into the earth, Tervan called them
together, and stood up, and spake unto them in heavi-
ness of spirit, saying:
—226—
This day hath justice been done unto me and unto
thee, for we disobeyed the governor and the king, and
did very foolishly and wickedly, by reason of drinking
the wine; and we are outcast in the land and durst no
more go unto our fellows. Nevertheless, let us keep
the customs and manners of the good king, Algoonah,
as he would desire for us to do ; and let us have a
council of the people and have laws and regulations,
and have our feasts, as did Algoonah. And all the
people said unto Tervan, We will do as pleaseth thee
to do.
So after the time of harvest, Tervan called a council
of the people, and they made laws like unto the laws
of the men of Kaiah. -
Now the men of Tervan prospered in the land greatly,
and they did no evil, but sorrowed for what had oc-
curred in the land of Mestus. Therefore, they lived
in that place continually.
Now at the time of the feast of the threshing floors,
did Algoonah go down into the province of Gonath,
and the province waxed great and mighty. And there
was great abundance in the land, so that there was no
lack of anything needful. And the king kept the feast
in the province of Gonath. And his cunning workmen
had builded boats, so that he might go from one prov-
ince to the other on the waters; and this he did as
occasion demanded.
And Jeboran dwelt in the province of Albanas, and
Albanas builded him a palace, the like whereof hath
not been seen on earth. And the palace was of stone,
fine and white, and dressed smooth like unto glass;
and there were pillars, and columns, and fine architect-
ure around it; and the roof thereof was silver, pure
—227—
and fine; and the compass thereof was six score cubits
on a side.
And all the years the palace was building was thirty.
And the land of Albanas was a land famous for gold
and for silver, for the people delved in the earth and
dug up the gold and silver. And the province of Osu-
rus also was very prosperous. And Morah, the gov-
ernor thereof, was returned from his sojourn in the
land of Albanas.
And he had communed with his brother, even Al-
banas, and he sent unto Algoonah, the king, for per-
mission to build new ships. And Algoonah bid him
do as seemed best unto him.
So Morah builded fifty new ships, and Albanas build-
ed fifty others; and they went and came between the
two provinces.
And the ships were full, and there was much traffic
among the people. And the men of every province
had the fine fruits and choice merchandise of the men
of Albanas.
And Galbronus was chief man of all the ships, and
he went once a year and came into the land of Osurus.
And the governors, Morah and Albanas, laid a tribute
of one-twentieth part of each ship’s merchandise. And
the tribute was sent unto Algoonah, the king. And
Algoonah laid the money in the temple of Kinar, for
to accomplish the works of the book of Kinar, when it
should come the time.
And thirty years after the death of Kinar, the priests
of the temple went forth and commanded the people
to build mounds; and it was done as they directed.
And there was one builded in each province ; and the
meaning thereof was hidden from the people.
—228—
And one was builded in the province of Gonath,
over against the great river, and it was ten years before
it was completed. Nevertheless, the people wrought at
it continually. And the people went forth, and fol-
lowed their own occupations after the mounds were
builded. . . .
CHAPTER XXIX.
The province of Albanas was a great province, for
the people came thither from every land; and there
was builded there a palace for Jeboran, the young
prince. And Jeshurim asked of Algoonah to go down
thither; and Algoonah consented thereto. So be got
him up and went down thither. And Jeshurim was
ninety and six years old; so he journeyed to the prov-
ince of Osurus. -
And Morah, the governor, came over to meet him,
and paid him great honors, for all the people respected
Jeshurim.
So Morah took him in, and sat him at his own table,
and lodged him sumptuously. And when Jeshurim had
viewed the land he departed on a ship prepared for
him, and came without accident unto the land of Al-
banas.
Now Jeboran and Albanas had heard of his coming,
and went down unto the place of landing together with
a great multitude of the people; for many of them had
never seen Jeshurim, and they had often heard of the
fame and good deeds of Jeshurim.
So he was welcomed by Jeboran and Albanas, and
they brought him with songs and rejoicing unto the
great city and palace. -
And the mind of Jeshurim was filled with wonder
when he had seen the temple and the city,
229
—230–
So they had him in, and when he was rested he gat
him into a chariot prepared for him, and went forth
and viewed all the land, and all the great works thereof;
and they showed unto him the highways running
through the land; and the bridges of stone; and the
fountains of waters, which the people had made.
And Jeshurim was pleased, for he saw the land was
an exceeding pleasant and comely land.
And Jeshurim said: Blessed be the children of the
province of Albanas, and blessed be their children’s
children, for they are loyal and true, and their land is
one of the fairest in all the earth ; and may the honors
of all men come upon them. -
So he abode there for the space of a year; and while
he was gone from his place did Erech govern the peo-
ple of his province in his stead.
Now Erech was of a good mind and very wise. And
he looked forth over the land and saw that the beasts
of burden and of labor did go over the fields, and de-
stroyed much corn and fruit of the earth.
So he bade the people set a terminus to their posses-
sions, and build hurdles around their possessions to
keep the beasts out ; and it was done. And he left
highways between for people to pass through.
And much more that was wise and beneficial did
he do. -
So Algoonah looked upon Erech and saw that he
was a proper person, and possessed of great wisdom ;
and he made a resolution concerning him, but he kept
his peace.
So Jeshurim returned from the land of Albanas.
And the people were filled with sorrow by reason of
his leaving; so they gave unto him a golden ewer, and
—231—
he took it with him, and he journeyed unto the pres-
ence of Osurus, and entered safely into the house of
Morah, the governor. Then did he rest him for cer-
tain days and returned unto the land of Jeshurim, by
way of the mountains and the plain.
And there were with him eight score men for to
keep him. ~ :-
And as he journeyed through the plain did Jeshurim
descend from his chariot for to walk, as he was
fatigued by riding; and as he walked on among
the people who were with him, lo, a serpent at the way-
side stung him in the foot, and Jeshurim was filled
with pain by reason of the sting of the beast; and it
was in the fifth hour of the day; and he became so
much worse that the people stayed and set up a tent,
and ministered unto him ; but he grew worse, and at
last he spake unto them that were about him, and said,
I shall surely die, even as did all who came up from
the land of Gehalehmot, save Algoonah and two score
others. And the people were filled with sorrow and
bemoaned greatly. -
And Jeshurim called them and bid one write what
he should say. And he wrote unto Algoonah the king,
and said : w
Mine eyes shall behold thee no more ; but let not the
remembrance of Jeshurim perish from the earth. Lo,
I have no son to commemorate my name. Let there
be a monument set in the valley of the great river,
over against the province and the city of Jeshurim ;
and let there be inscribed thereon my name and history.
And much more did he cause to be written, which was
sealed up and hidden away.
So Jeshurim died, and the men who were with him
—232–
buried him in the plain by the mountains; and they set
up a sepulchre over him by the great highway, as thou
goest down into the province of Biariah. And all the
years of Jeshurim were ninety and seven.
Now, Jeshurim was of the land of Assyria, and he
was of the household of the king, even Merodach, the
great king; and he was of a dark countenance. Never-
theless, he was the best man in all the land for wisdom,
and valor and goodness. He was first called Guyges;
but the great king was greatly angered at him, and
would have slain him ; but he departed unto the people
of Gehalehmot, and became one of them ; and when
the people were in the land of Mozman he became
enamored of the daughters of the people of Mozman,
and took one of them to wife. But when Amarah, the
good king died, and Aristoblah, the wicked king drave
the people forth ; then did Guyges slay the wicked king,
and went forth with the men of Kaiah, and left his
wife in the land of Mozman, and never had another
wife. And he lived alone in the land all his days. So
when Kaiah the king came to die he changcd his name
unto Jeshurim, for the king liked not the speech of
Assyria. And the meaning of Jeshurim in the speech
of Kaiah is one of good courage.
Then after the death of Kaiah was Jeshurim the
chief captain of all the people in the stead of Algoonah,
who was made king.
So the men who went with Jeshurim came sadly unto
the place of Algoonah ; and they knew the king would
be filled with sorrow. So they disputed among them
selves who should go in and tell the king; for no one
desired to see the sorrow of the king. So one who
was of a wise mind, said, Let us all go in and tell unto
—233—
the king the story of the death of Jeshurim. So they
came in before the king as he sat in his chamber in the
morning; and every one had rent his garment and cast
dust on his head. And the king was filled with alarm,
and asked them saying: Hath evil befallen any one?
And the men spake unto the king, saying, Jeshurim
is no more. And he went on and told the king con-
cerning the whole matter.
Then did the king smite on his breast, and fell to the
ground, and was as one dead, so that he could not be
comforted.
Then did Atomia, the wife of Algoonah, come in and
caused the king to be laid on his bed. And he would
take no consolation. And he sent out proclamation
unto all the people that there should be no work done
in all the land for the space of ten days; and the people
should mourn for Jeshurim ; and that there should be
mourning for forty days more. Yet, they should do
needful labor. -
Then went forth the decree, and all the people
observed it in truth. And when the fifty days were at
an end, Algoonah went forth unto the place of the
burial of Jeshurim and wept there.
So he returned and read the last letter of Jeshurim.
And Algoonah builded a monument in the valley of the
great river, as Jeshurim desired. And he inscribed
thereon : Jeshurim, which was Guyges, faithful and
true, which came out from the land of Assyria, which
lieth in the land of Ascia, over against the great Sea,
and abode with the people of Kaiah. Let the men of
all generations know of the goodness and faithfulness
of Jeshurim. And the inscription was in the speech of
—234—
Kaiah, in the speech of Aegyptus, and in the speech of
Assyria.
Now, when the tidings of the death of Jeshurim
entered the land of Albanas, the governor set up a
monument unto Jeshurim and made inscriptions thereon.
And when the days of mourning was fully past, Al-
goonah called the people of Jeshurim together, and
took Erech, and laid the mantle of Jeshurim on his
shoulders; and caused proclamation to be made, that
Erech should be governor in the land. And it pleased
the people, so that they were comforted, and each man
went unto his business. -
Then did Algoonah send unto Jeboran to come up
and abide with him, to comfort him for the death of
Jeshurim. So Jeboran took his wife and large attend-
ance of servants, and abode with his father in the
great city of Algoonah. So the king was consoled,
and wept no more for Jeshurim.
And the history of the ancient people of Gehaleh-
mot, written by Jaban, was as follows: &
When Exus was old did the king of Assyria die in
his land, and the daughter of the king of Assyria reign-
ed in his stead. And the name of the king's daugh-
ter was Semarimus; and she was of bold and warlike
disposition, and went forth and fell upon the lands of
the earth and Smote the people severely; so that her
name was a terror unto all the people of the earth.
So Semarimus was seventeen years old when she be-
gan to reign; and she reigned forty and six years in
the land of Assyria; and she had cause of war against
the people of Tsur; and the land of Tsur was beyond
the land of Gehalehmot. So she went up thither,
and rode before the army of Assyria, and subdued all
—235—
the land of Tsur, and laid tribute thereon, and was re-
turning unto her own land. So as she came over
against the land of Gehalehmot she tarried by the great
river, and inquired what manner of people abode in the
land. st
Now Semarimus had the king of Tsur chained to her
chariot; and she sent messengers and made as if she
would turn in thither and overrun the land. So the
messengers came unto Exus the governor, and inquired
concerning the land, and told unto Exus that the great
queen with her army was over against the land.
Then Exus arose and gat him presents of spices and
fine woods, and golden vessels, and said, I will go out
and speak unto the great queen myself, lest haply
she come in and spoil the land. So he went forth and
stayed a half day's journey, and sent messengers, tell-
ing her that he was coming to speak with the queen.
So the messengers went, and told the queen, say-
ing, The governor of this land cometh to speak with
thee. So the queen made ready to meet him ; and he
came apace and drew unto the place of the encampment
of the army of Assyria; and the queen sat in her royal
tent. - -
And Exus, with the heads of the people, came near
and bowed unto the queen; and when she saw the gov-
ernor, she was struck with respect for his venerable ap-
pearance, for he was very old, and his hair and beard
were white, like unto wool. Nevertheless, was he not
bowed by reason of years; and the queen spake unto
him, saying:
Out of curiosity have I tarried here for to see what
manner of people abode in this land; speak and let me
hear thy history.
—236—
Then did Exus open his mouth, and told unto Sem-
arimus the queen, all the history of the people, and
how they came into the land, and how they were a sim-
ple and childlike people, and did no hurt unto any
man, and lived in peace with all the nations. And
nothing of any import was hid from her. -
And Semarimus was greatly moved, and sware that
she would be a friend unto the people of Gehalehmot
through all time; and she made a treaty of peace and
friendship with all the men of Gehalehmot.
And she spake unto Exus, saying, Ask anything of
me and I will grant it, even if it be the tenth part of
the land of Assyria. Now Exus had looked upon the
king of Tsur, whom the queen had captive, and the king
was very old, and much spent by reason of the cruel
treatment of the queen of Assyria.
And Exus said, Give me I pray thee the captive
king whom thou hast chained to thy chariot. And
when the queen heard the request, she liked it not.
Nevertheless, for the sake of her vow she unloosed
the bands of the king, and gave him unto the men who
were with Exus; then she saluted Exus, and gave com.
mand that the army of Assyria march into their own
land, and she departed unto her own land.
Now when the old king of Tsur was given unto Exus,
he was filled with alarm, and he thought him that he
should be further tortured; but Exus took off his
chains, and washed him, and set him in a chariot, and
brought him into his own house, and bade the servants
treat him gently and kindly, for he was an anointed
King.
So he gained strength and recovered from his ill
treatment. And Exus found one who was of the mer-
&
—237—
chants, who spake with the king of Tsur, and bid him
be of good courage, for he should surely return unto
his own land.
So the king blessed Exus, and made a treaty of
friendship with him, and told him that the queen over-
came him by treachery, for she came into his land
when the people were not prepared for war, and en-
camped against his chief city with all her army, and
brake down the walls thereof, and took him captive,
and then departed before his people could prepare for
battle. - *
So the king of Tsur sent messengers unto his own
land. And the son of the king returned with the mes-
sengers. And when he saw his father alive and in good
condition, he fell on his neck and wept long.
So the king departed unto his own land, first giving
unto Exus his signet, and bidding him keep it, for it
might be of great benefit unto the people of Gehaleh-
mot.
And Exus was much pleased ; and his mind was satis-
fied, in that he had peace with two other nations, even
the land of Assyria and Tsur. -
CHAPTER XXX.
And it came to pass that Exus, the governor of the
land of Gehalehmot, was very old and much stricken
in years, so that his strength departed from him, and
he laid him down upon his bed, and arose not.
So he called forth the elder and chief men of the
people, and said:
I go hence, and my place among you shall be vacant.
Lo, I have been the governor of this people these many
years, and in all things have I done justly among the
people; and if any man can say aught else let him
now speak.
And all the elders said, Yea, thou hast wrought jus-
tice and good amongst us, and no man hath aught to
say against thee.
Then spake Exus, I desire that Manos, who is a
youth of great wisdom,shall be governor in my stead.
And the people were pleased thereat, and called in
Manos, and, laid the blue vestment on him and chose
him for the governor who should be after Exus. Then
when Exus saw that Manos was agreeable unto the
people, he sent all them out, and called in Manos alone,
and said: -
I have somewhat to tell thee which is very wonder-
ful; mark it well, and remember it unto the end of thy
life, for thou must commit the same unto thy succes-
sor. And Manos stooped himself unto Exus, and he
238 -
—239—
whispered in his ear; and when Manos heard, he was
overcome with amazement and wonder,so that he heed-
ed not that Exus had ceased speaking, and was lying
upon his bed already dead.
So he came to himself and called the attendants,
and, lo, the old governor was dead; and the whole peo-
ple made great lamentations over him, for he was a
good man, and just. And they found on his neck on a
golden chain, a small stone clear like unto crystal, and
within the stone was written words which no man could
read; and whatsoever way thou turnest it, the writing
within would change.
So Manos took the stone, for he knew of the import
thereof. w -
So they buried Exus beside Philetus, the governor;
and it was in the way of the plain, as thou goest down
unto the great river of the land.
Now Rmahykos, the king of Aegyptus, had a great
feast, and all the nobles and princes of Aegyptus were
there; and they drank wine and read of ancient histo-
ries of Aegyptus. And there were gathered together
all the great men of the land; and as they sat at meat
the king’s countenance changed, and he commanded to
be brought to his bed; and he laid thereon and died;
for a servant, whose father had created a tumult and
the king had caused to be put to death, put poison
of hemp in the king’s wine, so that he died.
And Keeops, the brother of the king, sat on the
throne of Aegyptus in the stead of Rmabykos.
Now Keeops was a mighty man of valor and wisdom
and energy, so that no king in all the land hath been
like unto Keeops; for he raised the land of Aegyptus
to the highest pitch of power and glory.
—240—
So Kečops was king; and he was twenty and three
years old when he began to reign.
Now Keeops looked forth and saw the great monu-
ments which his fathers had begun, and he set sixty
thousand men for to build them ; and he built to the
height of three hundred cubits. And Keeops laid the
foundations of the city of Theba, and builded a city
which for splendor hath not been equalled since that
time. And he builded two large images in the plain
over against the great river of that country. And all
the works which Keeops did were very great and mar-
velous; and the history thereof hath not been read at
any time. -
Now on a certain day did Keeons, the king, com-
mand his scribes to relate unto him of the history of
the other kings; and they related unto him. So he
commanded them to relate of the history of his
brother, even Rmahykos.
So they told him how that, when Rmahykos was a
child, did his mother flee into a strange land, by reason
of the treachery of the uncle of the king; and that the
men of the land were very kind unto the young prince,
and treated him with great consideration; and, fur-
ther, how that Merohykos, the false king, knew not of
the young king being there, but went down with an
army, and attempted to gather tribute of the shepherd
people, so that he might oppress them ; and how that
Rmahykos went among the army of Aegyptus, and
discovered himself unto the army, and slew the false
king, and made a treaty with the governor of the shep-
herd people.
And when Keeops heard thereof he was greatly
amazed, and sent unto the old chief captain of the
—241–
army, who still lived; and he came in and bowed him-
self unto the king.
And the king asked him concerning these things.
Yea, my lord the king, this happened as thy scribes
have related unto thee.
Then did Keeops send ambassadors into the land,
with a parchment of peace, and made a treaty with
the governor thereof, and sent, saying, Anything
that the king of Aegyptus can aecomplish for thee,
fear not to make it known. g -
So he made peace with the people. And this was
when Manos began to reign as governor in the land of
Gehalehmot. *
So Manos was governor in the land of Gehalehmot,
and he wrought with the people, and was among them
continually; and he went forth in the land and saw all
that transpired therein. And he saw that the writing
of the people was unwieldy and slow, for they wrote
after the manner of the land of Aegyptus.
So he made new writing, which was very simple, and
taught it unto the people. And he gathered together
the traditions of the people and caused them to be
written in a book, and laid away. So he separated the
true from the false, and set it in a book, even the his-
tory of the ancient people of all nations.
Now, there was much stuff in the land, even corn
and produce of the earth, as well as merchandise and
coins of the men of Aegyptus.
Now, there was a people who lived beyond the land
of Tsur, who were the men of Atlia, and they were
robbers, and very fierce and cruel; and they heard by
chance of the riches of the men of Gehalehmot, and
that there was no army, neither fighting men among
—242—
them. And the men of Atlia were minded to come
down and fall upon the land and spoil it, when the
pleasant season of the year was come.
So the men of Atlia made ready, and there was one
who was chamberlain unto the young king of Tsur,
for the old king had died. And the chamberlain stood
before the king every day, and told him of what hap-
pened among the nations of the earth. And the
chamberlain had a brother who came down from the
land of Atlia; and he told his brother so and so. Then
did the chamberlain tell the king that the men of Atlia
were preparing to go down and spoil the land of Geha-
lehmot as soon as the rivers subsided, in the spring
time of the year.
Then was the king interested, and he bid the cham-
berlain to read unto him of his father, and he did so ;
and he read how the king’s father had been ransomed
from the hands of the queen of Assyria by the gover-
nor of the land of Gehalehmot, and how that the gov-
ernor had treated him with great kindness, and returned
him unto his own place.
Then did the young king arise and make an oath,
That might there happen to him all the evils of Loh,
and more also, if he did not protect the people of the
land of Gehalehmot.
So he sent forth proclamation through all the land
of Tsur, that the men of the land should come forth
unto battle, even to the number of an hundred thousand.
And the proclamation went forth, and all the men of
that land came unto the city of the king. And the
king made ready to battle.
Now the land of Atlia was a great land, and the
people were very numerous. Nevertheless, they were
—243—
not valiant in battle, save as they should fall upon a
defenceless people. -
On a certain time was there brought before the king
of Aegyptus, even Keeops, a merchant, who was con-
demned to die, by reason of using false measure unto
the people. And he had traveled throughout all the
land; and he stood before the king for to receive this
sentence of punishment, and the king commanded that
he should surely die. Then the merchant rent his
garment and said, One little evil is punished, and the
great evil the people of Atlia doeth goeth free; for he
had heard thereof in his traveling.
Then heard the king what the merchant said, and the
curiosity of the king was excited, and he bid the mer-
chant relate what the people of Atlia had done. And
the merchant spake, saying: How can I speak, seeing
I am about to be put to death, and my time is nearly
spent?
Then the king bid him speak, and if the matter was
of importance to the king, then should the merchant
not die but live. So he opened his mouth and spake
before the king, saying:
Thy servant is a merchant and traveleth unto the
utttermost parts of the earth for the merchandise of
the people, and I came unto the land of Atlia for gums
and spices; and lo,the people were preparing to go down
and spoil the defenceless land of Gehalehmot and kill
the men thereof, and carry off the produce of the
land. -
Then when the king heard what the merchant said,
he was greatly amazed, and sware that the men of
Gehalehmot should be protected, if the whole land of
Aegyptus was laid waste. So he sent forth the officer
—244–
of the king’s household,and ordered the chief captain
to go forth with two hundred thousand men, and arma-
ments of chariots and horsemen, and fall upon the men
of Atlia, and drive them from the land, and go up in
haste; so it was done.
Now, the men of Tsur went forth and came over
against the borders of the land of Gehalehmot; and
the young king sent one who was familiar with the
speech of Gehalehmot, and told the governor, even
Manos, of what had happened ; then was the governor
pleased, and sent forth an hundred camel loads of pro-
vender unto the men of Tsur, and called the people to-
gether; but the king of Tsur desired him not to take
the men of the land for to war, as he desired to smite
the people of Atlia himself. -
Then, Manos opened the graneries of the land, and
sent unto the men of Tsur as their necessities demanded.
So at the end of the third month of the year, the
men of Atlia came down like unto the flies of the land
for multitude; and they came by way of the north-
eastward; and the men of Tsur fell upon them and
smote them heavily, so that they divided and turned to
the westward, and came by way of the river southward,
and were spoiling the land.
Then came up the hosts of Aegyptus, and saw the
men of Atlia, and they encompassed them about in the
plain ; and the battle waxed hot, so that neither pre-
vailed.
So on the going down of the sun, the men of Atlia
retreated toward their own land ; and the men of Tsur
had followed them and were encamped a day’s journey
behind them. . -
So the men of Atlia met the men of Tsur in a val-
—245—
ley as the morning came on, and the men of Tsur fell
upon them in the vehemence of their spirit, and the
battle was in the valley. Then came up the army
of Aegyptus and saw the battle ; and supposed
it to be the men of Gehalehmot; so they fell
on their rear, and Smote them foot and skull.
And the men of Tsur bore mightily on them, so there
fell three fourths of all the men of Atlia that day in
the valley, for they could not get out ; but in the dark-
mess they drew out from between the armies of
Aegyptus and Tsur, and went in haste unto their own
land. So when the morning was come, the armies of
Aegyptus and Tsur came together, and the matter was .
made plain. 3.
And the young king of Tsur was chief general of
both armies; and he put the armies together and made
speed and came after the men of Atlia, and followed
them into their own land; and they went forth and
came unto the land of Atlia, and entered the borders
ºthereof.
So the king of that land called all the people to re-
sist the invading army; and he gathered them together
in the hills around the chief place of the men of Atlia,
and stood to meet the men of Aegyptus and Tsur.
Now the men of Atlia were very numerous, and the
hills and valleys were full of the people. And
the armies came apace, and "encamped against them ;
but they could not meet the men of Aegyptus,
for they were very valiant and skilled in war. So
the men of Atlia encompassed the army and cast
arrows and stones therein; but the armies of Aegyp-
tus and Tsur smote them with great slaughter, so that
neither prevailed against the other. And the battle
—246—
waxed hot for three days; and at the end of three days
the men of Atlia gathered within the walls of their
chief city. And the armies of Aegyptus and Tsur
encompassed the city about, and brake down the walls
thereof; and smote the people therein with the sword,
and burned the chief city with fire; and the great tem-
ple of the land of Atlia was leveled with the ground.
So they went forth and burned a score of other cities,
save three, and put the people of the land to the Sword,
save six score hundred, who the general of the armies
carried off into captivity.
And the king of the land was killed ; and all the peo-
ple who were not slain or carried into captivity were
scattered among the hills. Then did the armies return
from following after the men of Atlia and encamped
over against the land of Gehalehmot for to rest them
before they returned to their own land.
Then came out Manos, the governor of the land of
Gehalehmot, and gave unto the men of Aegyptus and
of Tsur much provender and merchandise needful.
And he gave thanks unto the men of Aegyptus and of
Tsur, and would have given them gold and silver, but
they forbid him. Then came out eight score virgins
with instruments and songs, and sang before the king
of Tsur and the chief captains of Aegyptus, and cast
garlands of flowers before them ; and they sang, songs
of triumph before all the armies. So at the end of the
season of rejoicing, the armies of Tsur departed unto
their own land, and came in peace. Likewise did the
armies of Aegyptus.
So all the land of Gehalehmot had peace and rest.
And the people of Atlia were no more a people there-
—247—
after. And the king of Aegyptus sent an ambassador
who abode in the land of Gehalehmot, lest peradven-
ture the people might be in danger of being spoiled
again.
CHAPTER XXXI.
So Manos was governor in the land of Gehalehmot;
and the land had rest from wars and from invasions.
And Manos went forth and instructed the people in
what was needful and proper for them to understand.
And Keeops, the king of Aegyptus, sent down an
ambassador for to remain in the land. And Rabs-
hamah was the ambassador of the king of Aegyptus,
and he abode in the chief city of the land of Gehaleh-
mot. And Rabshamah was puffed up with pride and
high spirits. and he bore himself as a lord over the
people. And Manos was displeased thereat, and bid
him be more pleasant in his disposition. So Rabsha-
mah spake angrily unto Manos. And Manos sent unto
the great king of Aegyptus and told him of the surly
bearing of the ambassador. And the great king was
going down unto war and heeded not the matter until
such times as he should return. g
Now in the land of Mezzinaroth :
And westward from the place of the lake, even
where Jeboran was captured by the wild men, was the
place of Tervan. And Tervan was old and stricken
of years. And there were now of the people of Ter-
van one hundred and seventy men, women and chil-
dren; and they had improved the land, and had beasts
and everything convenient and profitable.
And the men of Tervan went forth and subdued the
land and improved it, so that it was a pleasant land.
248
––249–
And Tervan called the people together and laid
charge upon them that when he should be dead, then
should they seek the men of Kaiah and be reconeiled
unto them ; for, said he, it is meet for my punishment
that I remain in the land away from my kindred and
from the presence of the good king, even Algoonah.
And when he had made an end of speaking he wept
before the people ; and he finished speaking by saying:
I shall not remain longer among you. I go the way
of all men shortly ; and when I am dead let my bones
be taken and laid in a safe place ; and when all of those
be dead who were of the age of fifteen years when we
came out of the land of Algoonah, then let the residue
get up and go down unto the land of Algoonah and
the city of the great king.
Then did Tervan make an end of speaking, and went
his way unto his place, as did every one of the people.
And the further history of the men of Tervan will
be written hereafter.
Now Manos was governor in the ancient land of Ge-
halehmot, and the people loved and respected Manos,
even as if he had been born in the land ; and he did
many things needful for the health and convenience of
the people, and the fame of the land went abroad
throughout all the earth, and no man durst so much as
lift his heel against the people of Gehalehmot; for the
great king, Keeops, of Aegyptus, was a friend unto
the people, and the governor of the land; so also
was Semarimus, the queen of Assyria.
Now in all the earth were there not two such kings,
and two such people, as that of Aegyptus and Assyria.
And the earth feared and trembled, by reason of the
power and might of these two nations.
—250—
And Reedps, the great king, sent unto Semarimus,
Saying:
Lo, there is not in all the earth two such kingdoms as
the kingdoms of Assyria and of Aegyptus. Come, let
us make a treaty of peace between us, so that our peo-
ple go not to war one with another; for if we should
go to battle, then would our strength be overthrown,
and the fear and power of nations would depart from
us. So the queen heard what the king sent unto her,
and she saw the truth thereof, and she said:
What my lord, the king of Aegyptus, saith is even
true; and there is much wisdom in the speech of his
lips. Nevertheless, it is meet also that there be no
cause for war between the nations. How hath the
great king acted in regard to the vanquished king of
Tsur? Let him make explanation unto me, and I will
go into the treaty with much gladness.
So the messenger of the great king returned and
laid the matter before him, and he sent explanation of
all the matter unto the queen ; and when she had heard
thereof she was pleased, and made treaty with the
great king. And there was peace between the great
nations for a space of time.
So Manos, the governor, had no cause to fear the
nations of the earth, by reason of the peace between
the lands of Assyria and Aegyptus; and the people
gained in wealth and substance, and there was pros-
perity throughout all the land.
And the land of Gheba was a long way from the
land of Gehalehmot. Now there came up from the
land of Gheba a lad who was a hunchback, and he
seemed to be of the age of fourteen years; and no
man knew whence or how he came thither. And he
—251—
was of an exceeding pleasant countenance, and the
people loved him ; and they knew not where he abode
nor where he lodged. And he came in unto Manos,
and Manos took him for to abide in the governor’s
house, and he abode there.
And on a certain day came there a strange lad into
the presence of the governor. And the presence of
the youth was strange and mysterious. And the light
of his eyes was terrible. And he came into the pres-
ence of the governor, even Manos. And the governor
said, Whence comest thou? -
And he said, From the land of Gheba, and I seek
the hunchback lad, Artel; and I came down with him,
and we have been separated, and I desire to see him.
And the governor asked his name, and he said it is
Maithan. And he said further, I am desirous to speak
separately unto the governor. And those who stood
by went out; and he said, My secret thou must keep.
I am a sorcerer, born of the men of the great temple
of fire, and I wish to see the mystery of the white
stone of Exus. And so speaking he cast a flame of
fire from his hands; and he bowed before the gov-
ernor. And the governor replied unto him, saying:
Thou must not see the white stone, my son. -
And Maithan bowed unto the governor, and said,
Let the governor do as seemeth best unto him.
And he asked again for the hunchback, Artel; but
they found him not in all the governor’s palace. .
So the sorcerer youth departed weeping, and would
not be prevailed upon for to remain, as he must needs
be going. So he departed, and his feet were scarcely
out of the gate until Artel returned from the hither
gate; and he had been as it were seeking the conies
252–
in the rocks, for he delighted therein. And when they
told him of the sorcerer lad, he wept, and said, Fetch
him back. - - -
And men went forth and sought the sorcerer lad, but
found him not. And the governor was troubled, and
said naught of what had happened. And his mind was
suspicious toward Artel, for he feared that he and
the sorcerer desired to steal the white stone.
Nevertheless, the governor wore it always on his
breast. And he watched the lad, and saw no evil in
him ; and no one knew, save the governor, who the
strange lad was. So the mind of the governor was
troubled, and he wist not what became of the strange
lad. -
So Artel lived in the house of the governor, and
gained in wisdom every day, yet was his strength only
as the strength of a child. And Manos sent unto the
queen of Assyria, that he might send merchants down
into her land for to traffic with the people of Assyria.
Now was the queen going forth to war, and she con-
sented gladly; and she bought of the produce of the
earth, and such things as were needful ; and the men
of Gehalehmot went and came with the merchandise of
the land continually.
Now on a certain day, as Manos the governor sat in
his house, the lad Artel went forth to seek the beasts
whose habitations were in the rocks, as was his wont.
And Manos slept on his couch ; and he awake, and the
sorcerer lad was standing by him ; and Manos said,
What desirest thou, my son? And Maithan said, I
seek the lad Artel.
And Manos said, He goeth out among the rocks, and
sit thou down until he returnest. And the lad said, I
—253–
may not remain in the governor’s house, only so long,
and I desire to speak to thee; and Maithan whispered
in the ear of Manos. And the governor was filled with
amazement, and could not speak by reason of his aston-
ishment. And the lad took his departure weeping, for
desiring to see the hunchback lad. And he was scarce-
ly gone when Artel returned by the hither gate from
seeking the beasts in the rocks. And Manos called him
privately and questioned him, saying, Whence is the
Strange lad, even Maithan. And Artel wept and said,
I durst not tell, only must I see him when he cometh
again. And he went forth no more for a season; but,
abode in the house ; but the lad came not.
And the queen of Assyria went forth unto battle ;
and her army was like unto the stars of heaven for
multitude, and of chariots and horsemen, such as no
man could number; and the queen rode in a chariot of
gold and of silver, and went forth before her army for
to conquer the nations of the earth, and the earth was
shaken as it were by the tread of the great army of the
queen of Assyria. =
And the queen went upon a high hill and viewed her
army as the sun was setting; and the sight thereof
was such as hath not been seen upon the earth, even
until this day; and she went forth and fell upon the
men of the nations, and they fled before her, and she
overrun the nations to the southward and eastward, and
laid the land waste ; and the fear of the queen went
forth, so that the people quaked and trembled by rea-
son thereof; and when winter came on, she returned
unto her own land for to make preparations for to de-
stroy all who should oppose her; and she sent unto
Manos, saying, lo, I desire an hundred thousand camel
—254—
loads of stuff for my armaments; and also, an hun-
dred thousand camel loads of cloths from your flocks
and herds; send me the merchandise speedily, and I
will repay thee. -
And Manos heard the request of the queen and he
was sore troubled, and he would not tell her falsely,
but called the chief men of the land together, and laid
all the matter before them ; and they considered well.
Now the reason whereof Manos was troubled, was that
he knew that the queen of Assyria desired to overrun
the weak and defenceless nations of the earth ; and
that she depended on the people of Gehalehmot for
merchandise; so he sent unto her and said that he
could not send her the stuff. And the queen sent again,
saying, I desire not to hurt thy land, only let me have
thy merchandise and it will be well for thee; and I will
repay thee even two fold, otherwise I will come up
speedily, and thy land shall be laid waste, even from
one end unto the other. And Manos received the mess-
enger of the queen, and heard the message and the
import thereof; and he was greatly troubled,and said, I
cannot let the queen have the merchandise to strengthen
her hands, for she goeth forth to battle against the weak
and defenceless of the earth, and I will not do this
great Wrong. And he sent unto the queen, and told her
with truth and plainness of the great wrong of falling
upon the defenceless of the earth, and that he would not
help her to go forth by sending the merchandise; and
the queen was very wroth, and desired to march down
and overrun the land. -
Nevertheless, she was loath so to do, for she knew
of the friendship of the king of Aegyptus unto the men
of Gehalehmot. And she sent unto the king of Aegyp-
—255—
tus, and told him of the matter; and he sent her a
message, saying, Hurt not the land of the shepherd
people; but rather come and buy of my people. And
he sent his merchants down thither, and trafficked with
the queen ; and her anger was turned aside, for she
saw that the king would surely go into battle with her,
and she feared not; but by reason of the treaty of
peace which she had made, she turned not into the
land. And as the time wore on apace was the queen
betrothed unto Minak of the princes of Aegyptus, and
she was delivered of a child; and she went forth no
more unto battle, but spent her time in beautifying
the great city of the land of Assyria; and she made it
the magnificence of nations. And the name of her child
was Esarhaddon ; and he grew apace, and waxed strong,
and when he was of a proper age, the queen was
minded to send him down into the land of Aegyptus,
for to learn the wisdom of the people of Aegyptus.
So the land of Gehalehmot was free from the anger
of the queen, and had rest for a season. And Manos
sought out means to improve the land and make it a
prosperous land. And his people understood the stars
of heaven; but not as did the men of Aegyptus and
Assyria.
And the lad Artel, who was hunch-backed, was in
the presence of Manos continually; and he was of a
sweet spirit, and the closeness of the house was against
him. And Manos said, Go forth, my son, and view the
men at labor, for thou pinest in the house. And he
went forth ; and his feet were scarcely from the door
until the lad Maithan came in haste, saying, Where is
the hunchback lad? And Manos said, He just now
went forth to view the laborers in the field, for the
—256—
closeness of the house disagreeth with him. And the
lad Maithan wept, by reason of the absence of the
hunchback lad. And he departed sorrowing.
So the lad Artel returned from walking in the field,
and Manos told him not, for fear of troubling him, of
the appearance of the sorcerer lad. And Manos was
troubled by reason of the mystery which was around
the lad Maithan. And the hunchback lad was shortly
grown thin, and his strength departed from him,
and he lay on his bed, and Manos was troubled by
reason of the sickness of the lad, for the strength
of life left him day by day, and his end was ap-
proaching. And he called Manos and lay his arms
about him, and said, I go the way of all men by reason
of the deformity of my spirit. Give me, I pray thee,
one request. And Manos wept on his bosom, for he
loved the lad, and said, Yea, my son, ask what thou
desirest. And the lad saith again, Wilt thou grant my
last request? And Manos said, Yea, my son. And
Artel made him put his hand under his head and swear.
And Manos did so. And Artel said, Let my body be
placed on the hill, toward the land of Gheba, and let
no man come near it for the space of three days; and
it will be a pleasure for me then to depart. Only let
me look toward the land of Gheba. And when he had
So spoken, he kissed Manos and died.
Then was great lamentation all over the place of the
governor, for they all did love the hunchback boy.
And Manos did as the lad commanded, and laid him on
the great hill looking toward the land of Gheba, over
against the highway of the land of Aegyptus. And
Manos put on mourning and wept exceedingly. And
while he wept in his chamber, he heard some man, as it
—257—
were, at his back; and turning himself, he saw the lad
Maithan. And Manos chided him and upbraided him,
that he came not to see the lad Artel when he yet lived.
And Maithan wept, and asked when he was buried.
And Manos told him the whole matter. And the sor-
cerer lad went forth, and no man knew whither he
Went.
So at the end of three days Manos went forth to bury
the body of Artel. And when they were come thither
there was builded a sepulchre of stones, and by it was
the lad Maithan ; and he wept thereon. And he said
unto Manos, I will go and be a son to thee, even as was
the lad Artel, who came up thither with me from the
land of Gheba.
So Manos caused a monument to be raised for Artel,
and inscribed it with the virtues of the lad, and took
Maithan and departed unto his own place; and so like-
wise did they all. And the sorcerer lad abode with
Manos. And he left off his sorcery, and abode in
peace. Nevertheless, there was a mystery about the
two lads that troubled Manos very sore; for the words
Maithan whispered in his ear were the same which the
old governor, even Exus, told him.
Now Algoonah rested in his palace in the great city
of Algoonah, and the length of years was upon him ;
yet was not his head bowed, neither grew his eyes dim ;
and he saw the people increase and multiply in the land
of Mezzinaroth. And tidings came unto the king con-
tinually of all the people in all the provinces. And
the king was satisfied and at rest, for his people grew
in prosperity and filled the land.
Now every year did Jeboran, the king’s son, go forth
unto the several provinces and viewed them, and
–258–
strengthened the people, and took counsel of the gov-
ernors thereof, for the proper good and well being of
the people.
And on a certain day, as Jeboran came unto the
presence of his father, the king; the king spake, say-
ing, Much have I desired to know what became of
Tervan and his people, and my mind has been troubled
by reason of them, for I fear that they have perished
by reason of lack of provender. Send, I pray thee, a
trusty man for to search for them.
And Jeboran sent for Cetus, who was of those who
went to the northward on the great river for to explore
it. And Cetus came into the king's presence, and
said, Thy servant has seen strange things on the river,
twenty days’ journey to the northward; for there I
found where they had builded houses, and the houses
were decaying by reason of age; and I have not
troubled the king with the matter, for I supposed it
was the work of Tervan and his men.
And when the king had heard it he gave command
that Cetus should go forth with sufficient men to ex-
plore the land and see where Tervan was. So Cetus
went forth.
Then Jeboran went unto the province of Osurus and
talked with the people, and with Morah, the governor
thereof. And the people had spread over the land;
and Jeboran went forth and viewed all the labor of the
people, and talked with them and cheered them, and
told them of the prosperity of all the people to the
eastward, and of the good health of the king, even Al-
goonah.
And he took ship and came down unto the land of
Albanas; and the people and governor came forth with
—259—
joy for to welcome him; and he went forth and saw
that the province of Albanas prospered even more than
all the other provinces. And he told the people of all
that he saw in the other provinces, and of his desire
that the people should be contented and prosperous.
CHAPTER XXXII.
So Jeboran went from one part of the land to the
other, and viewed it. And there was peace throughout
all the borders of the land.
And Algoonah called him, when he returned unto
the city of Algoonah, and spake, saying, These hun-
dred and twenty years have I journeyed through the
earth, and I dwelt at first in the house of the great
king of Assyria, and I saw his down sittings and his
uprisings, and did eat of all that was on the table of
the great king, and was the lord chamberlain of his
household ; and when there was war between the na-
tions, and the king of Aegyptus was discomfited and
returned in haste unto his own land, and the kings of
Assyria and of Persia followed him hotly for to smite
him, and we lay over against the land of Aegyptus and
was minded to enter therein, but did not, and I heard
the King of Assyria sware to cause the land of Gehal-
ehmot to perish from the earth ; and I came speedily
by night and gat me out of that land unto the land of
Gehalehmot. And as the morning drew on we saw a
maid spinning; and she bade us to enter and we did
so ; and Jucar, my enemy, followed me, and was entan-
gled in the web which the maiden spun ; and I smote
him heavily, so that he died. And the maiden is even
Atomia, your mother. And many wars and laborings
have I been in, as the history of our people telleth.
And my strength is depºſing, and thou must alone
—261—
from this time henceforth judge and rule this people.
So Algoonah made an end of speaking unto Jeboran.
And he went forth from the presence of the king,
and judged the people as the king thereof.
And Algoonah rested him in his palace, and went
forth only as occasion demanded.
Now Atomia, the wife of Algoonah, was an hundred
and eighteen years old, and her strength failed her,
and she lay down and arose not, for her strength de-
parted ; and she called Algoonah and Jeboran and died
in their presence. And the men of the temple of Ki-
nar came in and took the body of Atomia, and buried
it in the temple of Kinar, over against the great river
of Algoonah.
Now Atomia was of a good mind, and was the
strength and comfort of Algoonah. And Algoonah
sat in mourning, and wept much, and said, Alas, am I
truly alone. Biariah hath died, and Jeshurim hath
died, and Atomia of my bosom hath died; she who
has been my comfort and strength these hundred years.
Truly I am solitary and sit in darkness. But shall I
soon follow, for my strength is spent, as water that is
poured out, and my eyes are darkened by reason of
great age ; my head boweth as the trees in winter, and
there is no place for me on earth, for I have outlived
my fellows.
And the decree went forth, and there was mourning
throughout all the land for the good Atomia, for many
knew of her good deeds of charity.
So Algoonah was the last of all that came down from
the land of Gehalehmot; and he was not comforted for
he was a stranger in the land. Nevertheless, the peo-
ple all loved Algoonah, and looked upon him with awe
—262—
and reverence, for he came, as it were, down from a
former age. And Jeboran went and came continually,
so his burden was very heavy.
And Erech, the governor of the land of Jeshurim,
saith unto him, Now, may thy burden be lighter; set
men in each province who shall stand in the stead of
the king, and let them judge the people in thy stead.
And it pleased Jeboran ; and in every province was
a man appointed, who stood for the king, for the gov-
ernors had their proper office, which pertained not to
the office of the king; and so it was done. And Jeboran
had rest, and abode with Algoonah in the great city,
and came only at long spaces of time in such prov-
inces.
So there was an ambassador of the great king of
Aegyptus in the chief city of Gehalehmot; and he was
of a cross and surly carriage, as we have seen ; and
when Keeops, the great king, returned, he recalled the
ambassador and cast him into a dungeon.
And Semarimus, the great queen, died, and Esar-
haddon, her son, reigned in her stead. And he was
cruel and treacherous, and he heard of the land of Ge-
halehmot, and the amount of stuff and merchandise
which they had, and his soul lusted after the spoil of
the land. And there was one who loved the people of
Gehalehmot, for on a certain time the queen was wroth
with him, and he fled in haste unto the land of Gehaleh-
mot for refuge, and durst not return until the queen
died. And he had great skill in the preparation of
food, and the young king had him to wait on the king's
table and his name was Nashack. And Nashack
heard of the matter that the young king contemplated,
and he came away by stealth, and went into the
—263—
land of Aegyptus and told of the matter. And the
king Keeops, of Aegyptus sent down, saying:
If so be the young king falleth on the land of Ge-
halehmot, then will I come down and smite him from
the earth.
And the young king was haughty and proud, and
dared the great king to his face; and sent forth and
prepared a vast armament for to march down unto the
land of Aegyptus, and punish the great king for his
message. And Thermes was chief general of all the
armies of Assyria; and he was old and well learned in
war, and very valiant. And he stood before the young
king and reasoned with him, and Esarhaddon saith, I
may not contend with thee. And he bade the officer
of the household for to cast Thermes into a dungeon
until the morrow, then cut off his head.
And Thermes was beloved by the army of Assyria;
and he went forth and no man durist touch him, even
so much as his garment. And Thermes went forth,
and called the chief men of the army and told them,
thus and thus saith the king. And the army and the
chief men said, We will not go down to war with the
men of Aegyptus, for they be as mighty as the land
of Assyria, and both people must perish from the
earth.
So the chief men went in unto the king as he sat on
his bed, and wrapped the vesture of the bed and the
cushions thereof around the head of Esarhaddon, and
tied them securely, and speedily went away; and the
king died, and no one knew wherof he died. Now
Esarhaddon was only seventeen years old when he
died, and he reigned only two years in the land of As-
Syria, and there was no one to be king after him.
—264—
So the army of Assyria called Thermes, and they
brought forth the great crown and the robe of the king
of Assyria and placed them on him, and he was made
king by the name of Therhaddon; and he was seventy
and four years old when he began to reign ; and he
was of a new dynasty. And the descendants of the
dynasty of Therhaddon were of the mightiest kings
and princes which were ever in all the land of Assyria.
And Therhaddon was wise and good; and he sent a
message of peace unto the great king of Aegyptus; and
the great king turned aside his anger from the people
of Assyria, and renewed the treaty of peace which he
had made with Semarimus; and there was peace
throughout all nations; and the merchants of the earth
went and came and trafficked with one another and
made great gain.
And Therhaddon was of an enlightened mind, and
nothing delighted him so much as to come with the
men of science. And he made a great temple and col-
lected therein all the books which were written; and he
builded schools, and learned of all the wisdom of the
nations. And he sent up into the land of Gehalehmot
and desired the governor to send his young men down,
that they might learn in his schools, and Manos did so.
Now the youth Maithon dwelt in the house of Manos,
and he was much beloved by Manos, for he was of a
good disposition, and he went and came as his mind
was pleased to do, and no one stayed him or asked,
whither goest thou. So there was peace again in all
the land; and Therhaddon reigned for the space of ten
years, and his strength departed and he died, and his
son Belnezer reigned in his stead.
And Keeops, king of Aegyptus, was sore distressed,
—265—
for he respected Therhaddon greatly, and he sent words
of comfort to Belnezer, the young king. And Belnezer
was like unto his father in wisdom and valor; and he
read of the history of the kings of Assyria, and saw
that much war had been made against people who had
been weak and defenceless. And the young king sware
there should be no war, save such as was necessary,
while he sat upon the throne. And he went forth and
builded the great and famous city of the land, and set
great walls about it, and caused the people to make the
land fruitful. And made canals and water courses
through the land. And he was of an enlightened
disposition, and he said within himself, I will go up
and view the manners of the shepherd people. If
haply I may see their prosperity, which will be of
advantage to me. And he disguised himself and took
trusty servants and went into this land, first giving
word that he went forth to view his land.
So he went as a merchant and came into the land of
Gehalehmot and viewed it. So he came into the land
and place of the governor, and he went in for to see
the governor. And the governor asked, Whence comest
thou? And Belnezer said, From the land of Assyria,
and I seek the merchandise of thy land. And the young
man Maithan stood with the governor, and he saith,
Friend, I would speak with thee. And Belnezer saith,
Speak on. And Maithan whispered in his ear:
Thou art an anointed king, for I see the manner of
a king in thy face. And Belnezer said, Thou hast
spoken truly. And he made himself known unto
Manos, and Manos did obeisance to him, and took him
into his own house. And the king desired that the
news should not go forth, as he wished to see the people
—266—
of the land as they followed their customary business.
And he went forth and saw all the manners of the
people, and was pleased thereat. So he was deter-
mined to follow much of the business which the people
of Gehalehmot followed And the art of pottery,
which the people learned of Aoba, he desired to learn;
and he besought Manos to send cunning workmen down
into the land of Assyria for to learn his people, and
Manos did so. And when the king came to return unto
his own land, he desired of Manos that he should per-
mit Maithan to accompany him, for he loved the youth ;
and Manos consented thereto ; and Malthan went down
unto the land of Assyria and abode there for a season.
Now while Belnezer was absent, there were certain
men who were of the family of Esarhaddon, and they
made a plot to slay the king, even Belnezer, and take
the kingdom from him ; and they were crafty and
moved with circumspection ; and they were of the num-
ber who were in the king’s household.
And Belnezer sat upon the throne, and judged the
people as was his wont ; and the young man Maithan was
suspicious of the plot, for he often saw the men con-
versing together, and he went out and disguised him-
self as an old.man, and a merchant from the land of
Gheba ; and he had curious merchandise, even jewelry
and rings and signets of gold, and he came in and
abode in the great city, and wore a white beard, and
trafficked with the people; and he came into the king's
palace, and sold unto the king’s servants; and the
king heard thereof, and had him brought in, and the
king knew him not ; so when he had occasion he whisp-
ered in the ear of the king, and Belnezer was filled with
—267—
astonishment; so he went his way, and came unto the
place of his lodging.
Now on a certain day, as the morning came, the ser-
vants of the king’s household waited for the king to
arise and wash himself, and he came not ; and they
entered the king’s bed chamber, and he was not there.
So there was search made, and great uproar through-
out the city; but the king could not be found ; and
Naroch the brother of the king, took the throne until
such time as he should be found ; and Naroch caused
diligent search to be made, yet without avail. So no
man knew what had become of the king, and Naroch
was king in his stead, after a lapse of two years.
Now the men of Esarhaddon were many, and they
were very crafty. -
In the land of Gheba was there a king, who was
mighty and valorous, and he subdued the surrounding
nations, and his name was IKurus, and he called his
land, the land of Persia; and it was no more called the
land of Gheba.
Now Kurus had been, the chief man of the army
of Gheba ; and the king before him had been cruel;
and Kurus drove out the king with many of his follow-
ers; and the old king departed thence, and builded the
city of Palmyra in the desert, as thou goest down on
the highway of the merchants; and the city of Pal-
myra became great and famous, so that there was a
great and valorous people there; and Kurus the king
of Persia, went forth and smote the nations around
him, so that they were glad to get peace by paying
tribute unto him ; and he came down for to invade the
land of Assyria; and Naroch the king, came forth and
met Kurus over against the city of Palmyra ; and they
—268—
fought heavily, and neither prevailed; so each army
returned uuto his own land, and made ready greater
battle on the next year; and Naroch gathered together
a vast army, and went forth to meet the new power,
which threatened to overrun the whole earth ; and the
king Kecops of Aegyptus heard thereof, and sent his
son Karnac, with emissaries unto the king of Assyria,
saying, It is meet that I should assist in this matter,
for if the king of the east, even Kurus, shall vanquish
thee, then will he overrun my land.
And Naroch consented thereto, and Keeops gathered
together an army, like unto the stars of heaven for
multitude, and sent them down for to meet the army
of Assyria, and to join them in battle with the king of
Persia.
So Karnac, the king's son, went forth for to com-
mand the hosts of Aegyptus, and they joined the army
of Assyria; and their forces were very great; and
Kurus came down with an exceeding great army, and
encamped against the hosts of Aegyptus and of
Assyria. lº -
And the armies fell together, and the battle was very
hot in the desert over against the city of Palmyra, and
the men of Assyria and Aegyptus prevailed against the
men of Persia, and drave them back. Nevertheless,
they were too much spent to follow the hosts of Persia,
and each army returned unto his own land, and made
ready to meet the men of Persia, if they should follow
them again. -
And Naroch wist not what had become of the lad
Maithan, for he saw him not since he left the land,
when the king had disappeared. So he sat one day in
his hall of judgment, and a merchant of strange ap-
—269–
pearance, came in, and Naroch said, whence comest
thou; and the merchant said, from the land and city of
Palmyra ; and he said further, I have a matter to speak
with the king; so the king commanded all to go out,
save the merchant; and he spake in the ear of the king,
so that he was sore amazed, and came near falling as
one dead, and he quickly departed. And the king
made haste and gathered the army together, and came
quickly toward the city of Palmyra.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
So Naroch, the king of Assyria, gat him up with his
army, and marched unto the city of Palmyra, And
there was with him a prince of Persia, a young man
whom no one knew save the king, even Naroch. And
they went and encamped over against the city of Pal-
myra and waited for the king Karnac, of Aegyptus.
And the army of Assyria rested, for the king had
sent word in haste for the army of Aegyptus to hasten
down and join them. And the king of Aegyptus came
apace and joined his forces with Naroch ; and they
were set in battle array before the city of the desert,
even Palmyra. -
And the armies of Persia drew on apace, and came
near and encamped behind the armies of Assyria and
Aegyptus. And they drew off for the space of a hun-
dred-furlongs and set them in array.
And the armies of Assyria and Aegyptus gat them
up for to meet the army of Persia, and they speedily
fell to battle in the desert. And it was the third bat-
tle which was before the city of Palmyra.
So the battle raged hot until the going down of the
sun, and neither prevailed.
Now the young prince of Persia was named Cyrus,
he that was with Naroch, and he was the rightful king
of Persia, for he was the nephew of him whom Kuros
drave out of the land. Now Cyrus was a young man
270
—271—
twenty and six years old, and he had dwelt at times in
the city of Palmyra ; and he came unto Naroch in dis-
guise and told him his story; also much that was of
more interest to Naroch, which we will see the import
of very soon.
So at the going down of the sun the armies fell
apart and rested.
And Kuros, the king of Persia, was in the midst of
the army; and he rested in the royal tent of the land
of Persia. And Cyrus, the young Prince, entered the
army of Persia, and spake unto the guards, and they
admitted him, supposing him to be of the army. And
Cyrus made way unto the tent of Kondorus, the great
general of the army, and spake in his ear. And Kon-
dorus marveled greatly. And they were in close con-
verse all the night, until the dawning of day. And
Kondorus cast an armor on Cyrus, and disguised him,
and then went forth and communicated with all the
generals and chief captains of the army.
So at the rising of the sun a third part of the army
of Persia were drawn off and led back to the rearward.
And the battle again raged mightily; and the place
where Kuros the king stood, was made weak, and Na–
roch pressed him with vehemence, and Kuros was slain
in his chariot. And instantly the trumpet blew, and
the armies of Persia fell back to the rearward. And
Naroch blew his trumpet and caused his army to stand.
So Cyrus lifted the banner of the king of Persia,
and Kondorus blew the trumpet and said, Long live
the young king Cyrus of Persia. And the chief cap-
tains gathered around him and bowed unto him. And
the army of Aegyptus stood wondering. But a decree
—272—
was sent forth and the matter was made plain unto all
the armies. -
And Cyrus came forth and first made peace with the
kings of Assyria and Aegyptus, and then took Naroch
privately and led him forth, saying: We will shortly
demand what thou seekest of the king of the city of
Palmyra.
So Naroch blessed the young king of Aegyptus, and
Karnac went his way unto his own land, even the land
of Aegyptus.
Now the city of Palmyra was in the desert, and was
afterwards a famous city; and the people thereof
waxed rich, by reason of the merchandise of the na-
tions which fell in their way. And the king thereof
ruled with great rigor, for he was a severe, yet a just
man. And on a certain day was a man brought in by
some merchants, and the man was accused of robbing
and slaying another merchant; and the king of Pal-
myra commanded that he be cast into prison, as a
pestilent fellow, until such time as proof be brought
against him ; then should he suffer death for taking
the life of his fellow. And the man was cast into a
dungeon under the great palace of the king, and he
had lain there until the time of the last battle, which
was ten years.
And Naroch stood before the gates of the city of Pal-
myra with his army, and encompassed the city; and
the army of Persia rested afar off by the river, yet
was the young king with the army of Naroch. And the
king of Palmyra was sore troubled, and sent forth,
saying, What seek ye, with armies and banners against
the city of Palmyra? Have not we dealt justly with
all men, and whom have we done any wrong unto?
—273—
And Naroch said, Ten of my chief captains and the
young king of Persia and myself, desire to make an
entrance unto thee, and cause the prisoner whom ye
have in the dungeon these ten years to be brought unto
judgment.
And the king of Palmyra communed within himself,
and said, This is very reasonable, the thing which they
demand of me ; and if I refuse, peradventure they will
break the wall of my city and lay it waste.
So the king sent unto Naroch, saying, Come up and
enter my house, and to-morrow shall the man be
brought to judgment.
So Naroch and Cyrus, and the chief captains, went
in, for the king of Palmyra opened the gate of the
city for them ; and they came unto the king’s house;
and on the morrow they went into the great hall of
judgment. And the king of Palmyra sent his chief
officer and brought up the prisoner; and he was much
broken in spirit, and his hair was white as snow, and
his beard fell upon his breast, even like unto his hair
for whiteness. And he was brought and stood in the
presence of the kings; and when Naroch and the chief
captains of Assyria saw him they fell unto the ground,
saying, It is the king, even Belnezer And it was he.
And he said, Arise, my brethren.
And Naroch went over and fell upon his neck, and
wept upon him. And Naroch took off the royal robé
and threw it on Belnezer. And Cyrus, the king of Per-
sia, saluted him. And when the king of Palmyra saw
what the king of Assyria did, his knees smote together
for fear, and his voice failed him. But Belnezer Smiled
on him, and said, Fear not, O king, only do not let
—274—
thy severity again set a man in prison until thou hast
judged him. -
And Naroch went forth with joy, and prepared the
army of Assyria for a joyful occasion, and told them
not. And on the morrow he led forth Belnezer in a
chariot; and all the people wept, and shouted for joy
at the sight of the king, even Belnezer.
And Belnezer viewed all the army; and the king of
Palmyra came and said unto Belnezer, Lo, all my city
is thine; rest and regain thy strength.
And Naroch took the army of Assyria, save three
legions, and went his way unto his own land. And
Belnezer stayed in the city, and the strength of life
speedily returned unto him. And he stayed in the city
until the latter rains of the year ; then he gat him up
and came down unto his own land. And the people
of Assyria made great rejoicing over him, and there
was great festivity when he returned. -
Now, Cyrus, the young king of Persia, was the first
king by that name, for there were four kings of Persia
named Cyrus; and when Naroch departed with the
army of Assyria, Cyrus sent the chief general with the
greater part of the army of Persia unto their own land,
saying: I must needs turn aside into the land of Geha-
lehmot; Gothou down unto Persia and await my com-
ing. And he set Kondorus, the chief captain, over the
people to judge them until such time as he should return.
Now, Manos was old, and the people dwelt in peace
around him ; nevertheless, he heard the strange things
that were happening in the other lands; and he was
much troubled when the part of the army of Persia
encamped over against his land, and more so, when a
messenger came saying, The king of Persia desireth to
—275—
speak to thee in thine own palace; and the messenger
said further, The king sweareth to do thee and thy
people no harm. And Manos said, I fear not, let the
young king come in and speak unto me.
And Cyrus crossed over the borders of the land and
came unto the presence of the governor, even Manos;
and Manos arose, but the young king bowed unto
Manos, saying: It is a pleasure unto the king of
Persia to see the noble and good Manos, of whom I have
heard so much ; and I have turned aside to listen unto
the wisdom of his lips, and to make treaty of peace
with him. So Manos sat him at his side, and they
spake pleasantly in the speech of Persia; and Cyrus
said, Thou speakest well; I am filled with astonishment
thereat.
Then Manos said, Behold, I am of the land of Gheba,
even Persia, and of the royal household. My brother
was the king. And Cyrus was seemingly filled with
wonder, and embraced him, and said, Thou art my
father’s brother. So Manos kissed him, and was much
moved, and could not keep from looking at him, for
he knew his face and speech, and supposed it was on
account of the father of Cyrus, who was his younger
brother.
Then said Cyrus, Send out yonder servants, I would
speak with thee alone. And Manos waved his hand,
and the servants went out. Then Cyrus arose and went
behind a curtain of the wall, and stepped forth dis-
guised. And Manos, filled with amazement, came down
to meet him, saying, It is Maithan 1 And Manos was
so filled with astonishment he could not speak. But
Cyrus smiled and said, When I was a lad did the king
cause me to be learned in all the magic of Gheba, and
—276—
all the secrets of the great temple of fire; and I know
well of the mystery of the white stone of Exus, which
lay at first by the altar of the sacred fire, yet it is thine
and thy people’s. Keep it; and may prosperity follow
it. Now, I came into thy land to escape the vengeance
of Kuros and his father, who drove out the old king of
Persia, who was my uncle. And I was taken unto the
city of Palmyra, where my mother caused me to be
learned in all the science of Gheba ; and when I was
fifteen years old did she send me with Artel into thy
land for safety; and I practiced the arts of sorcery,
and thou knowest how I went down unto the land of
Assyria and followed the captivity of the king, Bel-
nezer, and caused his brother Naroch to release him.
Then came down the second Kuros, false king of Per-
sia, and I followed him. And the old chief captain,
who hated the king, caused the army to withdraw from
him, so that he was slain, and I was proclaimed king in
his stead. And as Manos listened he was filled with
wonder and could scarcely believe him.
Then said the young king: I go behind the curtain
again ; and after staying a short season he came forth ;
and when Manos beheld him he fell as one dead, say-
ing only : Artel, the hunchback. And Cyrus straight-
ened himself; and lifted up Manos and revived him and
comforted him. So Manos was come to himself, and
Cyrus explained to him the reason he first appeared as
two persons; and the explanation thereof was that he
desired to come in and view the white stone of Exus,
for his curiosity was great to see it.
And Manos said, We have long conversed, and my
strength is spent by reason of excitement; let us go in
and eat and drink, and on the morrow will I show thee
—277—
the white stone. So they went in and eat and drank,
and rested until the morrow.
Now when the king Belnezer was rested in his palace,
he called all his chief men, with Naroch, and stood up
and spake unto them, saying: It is proper, O men of
Assyria, that ye should know how my imprisonment
came about ; and the manner thereof is as follows:
It is well known that the men of Esarhaddon were
jealous of me, and hated me with exceeding great
hatred, and I knew it not.; so they made a plan to slay
me, and feared to do so in my palace, lest it should be
known. So as I was in my bed I drank wine, and they
gave me therein (for they were of my palace) hem-
lock, so that I slept as one dead; and they carried me
out and put a mean robe on me, and took me away
unto the city of Palmyra. And the hemlock bereft
me of my reason until I was cast into prison. And
there was a young man, at the close of the eighth year,
who was put over me, and when he had opportunity he
told me that he was Maithan, the young sorcerer of
the land of Gehalehmot, and that he would cause my
release. And the strange and wonderful things that have
since happened have turned my mind as it were. Now
these ten years have I been in prison, and you, my
people, are strange unto me. And lo! my brother,
even Naroth, knoweth all things pertaining unto the
government of the people. Let him be king in my
stead, for I desire to rest, and have no cause of excite-
ment, for I long have been in prison.
So the people agreed thereto, and Naroch was again
made king before the people, and went forth and
judged the land of Assyria thirty and eight years.
—278–
And Belnezer went unto his house outside the great
city and tilled the soil, and was content.
After Manos and the young king had slept they arose
and did eat and refresh themselves. And at the close
of the business of the day Manos took Cyrus in and
showed him the white stone of Exus, and he marveled
thereat, and the matter which they spake of was hidden.
So Cyrus gat him up with his people, and came down
into the land of Persia. And all the people rejoiced;
for they...hated Kuros, and his father who was king be-
fore him. And Cyrus sent forth and set all who were
cast into prison of Kuros, free. And the land of
Persia had rest, for Cyrus went not to war without
Call SC. - -
And the land of Gehalehmot had rest, and there was
no cause of war among the people of the earth. And
there was peace among all nations for a season.
So when Naroch was made king, he sent forth and
caused all the men of Esarhaddon to be taken, and he
slew them, and cast their bodies into the great river;
and made their habitations desolate; so the kingdom
was tranquil and at peace. -
CHAPTER XXXIV.
So Manos grew old and much stricken of years, and
there was no strength left in him, and he called to-
gether the heads of the people, and they sat Manos on
high ; and the strength of his voice returned and he
spake unto the people, and he began at the earliest part
of their history, and set all things in order before them,
even from the time Minas left the land of Phoenicia;
and how all the people had prospered from the begin-
ning, and he told them of the manner of Exus coming
out from the land of Gheba, and how that, he himself,
also came out of that land, as did Exus; and he spake
of the wonderful things which happened in the other
nations, even the land of Assyria, Aegyptus and Per-
sia; and he spake of the fire which the children of
Gheba did worship ; and he said, The fire is no crea-
ture worthy of worship, for worship is the highest ser-
vice man can pay, and lo, it is foolishness to bow down
unto that which is only a creature of man’s comfort ;
turn not I pray thee my people in the foolishness of
the fireworshipers. And much more did Manos say,
which is not necessary now to write ; and when he had
finished speaking, he desired that the people should
choose him who should be governor after him ; and the
people said, Who is like unto Aran the son of Pul, for
wisdom, lo, there is none; so Aran was brought up un-
to the chief city.
- 279
—280–
Now Aran was laboring in the fields, and they
brought him in and set a blue robe upon him, which he
must henceforth wear, as the custom of the land dic-
tated.
So he came unto the chief city of Gehalehmot, and
Manos had him in privately, and committed unto him
the things pertaining unto the matter of Exus, and he
was qualified as governor of the people, and went his
way unto his own place, and tilled the soil.
So Manos grew much stricken of years, and his
strength speedily departed from him, and he blessed
Aran, and all the chief men of the people, and drew his
feet in the bed and died. And all the years of Manos
were one hundred and six, and he was buried in the
land of Gehalehmot by the side of Exus, and the peo-
ple made great lamentation over him. And the time of
the reign of Exus and of Manos was notable through-
out all the future ages of the history, and it was called
the age of Gheban governors.
And Aran ruled the people instead of Manos; and
he was a young man of the lower provinces of the peo-
ple; and he was much learned in all wisdom, for he
abode when a youth in the city of Palmyra, for Pul his
father was a merchant, and went hither with merchan-
dise unto Palmyra for to traffic, for they need no more
go into other lands, for each could traffic with the other
In that city. t
So Aran loved the tillage of the soil, and wrought
thereat until he was made governor; and he ruled the
people with wisdom and judgment; and there was pros-
perity in all the borders. *
So the people came and went, and made great gain
by trafficking with the people of the earth.
—281—
And the king of Palmyra engaged cunning workmen
from all lands, and builded the city of Palmyra so that
it was the pride and glory of the earth.
And the wise men and the rich and great men came
there for to learn and see the magnificence thereof.
And Karnac, the king of Aegyptus, came up and
viewed the city, for he had been there at the time of
the war between the kingdoms of Persia and of Assyria;
and he returned, and was filled with astonishment at
the magnificence of the land. .
And the merchants likewise, came from the land of
Gehalehmot and trafficked with that land, and got gain
thereby.
So Aran, the governor, looked forth and saw that
the land was prosperous, and he determined also to
build a great city, which should be the glory of the
earth; and he called the chief men and the sages, and
all the wise men of the land, and laid the matter before
them, and they considered the matter for many days;
and while they were considering, the governor, Aran,
on a certain night dreamed as he lay on his bed; and
the dream which he saw was after this fashion : His
thoughts came into his mind on his bed, and he saw a
great and exceeding high temple, and the fashion
thereof was glorious like unto gold and precious stones,
and the nations of the earth looked and beheld the
grandeur and magnificence thereof; and the people
said, Behold the glory of the habitation of Aran, the
governor of the land of Gehalehmot, and his heart
was filled with pride and puffed up with vanity, and he
could do naught but gaze on the superstructure of the
temple which his hands had reared ; and he walked
around the compass of it and looked upon it. But, lo,
—282—
as he gazed, there came a mighty and strong wind
from the way of the eastward, and the wind smote the
four corners of the temple vehemently, so that it fell,
and it fell upon the land of Gehalehmot and upon the
people, and upon the cities and upon the villages, and
it ground them into dust; and the wind lifted up the
dust and blew it toward the sea; and Aran stood alone
in the plain, over against the great river of the land of
Gehalehmot, and he was troubled and awoke from his
dream, and his mind was much cast down, and he called
unto the chamberlain of the household, and caused him
to set a light in the chamber so he might no more dream
that night.
So when the morning was come, and he met the chief
men and the sages, and the wise men, his countenance
was cast down and beclouded; and they asked him,
saying, What troubleth thee? And the governor stood
up and related unto them the dream which he had, and
there was silence, until an ancient man of the people
stood up and beckoned unto them ; and they listened
unto him, and he said, The dream of the governor is
to us and our people. Let us take heed thereto, for if
we build a great and magnificent city, it will be a temp-
tation unto some other nation, which will come down
as did the wind in the governor’s dream, and will spoil
the land, and cast out the people as the dust of the
earth. And when the old man had spoken, they all
saw the reason of it; and they every man departed unto
his own house, and the city was not builded. And
Aran was sorry, for he saw that he had not done
wisely in the matter; and he desisted from build-
ing any magnificent city, but rather strengthened the
walls of those that had been built, and set ditches
—283—
around them, and made storehouses in them, and dug
wells of water therein, so that the people might be
secure. And for twenty and eight years did Aran
strengthen and defend the land; and further, he
saw that if the merchandise of the land increased then
would the people be compelled to learn to war the
other nations.
So the people returned to the simple habits of their
fathers, and trafficked but little with the nations. And
the king of Palmyra wondered thereat, and sent emis-
saries down unto the land to see why they had so much
ceased to merchandise with the city. And the emis-
saries came in and viewed the land and saw the strength
of it; and they came in unto Aran and talked with him,
and Aran treated them kindly, but gave them no
answer, save that the people consumed the fruit of the
earth, and had but little to merchandise with other
nations. And so the land had rest and peace.
Now in the land of Mezzinaroth there was the prov-
ince of Jeshurim, which was by the great river of Al-
goonah, and Erech was the governor thereof; And the
province of Biariah, by the great river of the westward,
and Jaban was governor thereof; And the province of
Mestus, to the eastward, and Mestus was governor
thereof; And the province of Gonath to the southward
from the great city of Algoonah, and Gonath was gov-
ernor thereof; And the province of Osurus, and Morah
was governor thereof; And the province of Albanas, and
Albanas was governor thereof. And there were also
the men of Tervan, but Algoonah knew not of them.
So Tervan was dead, and his son Phalon was the gov-
ernor of the people in the stead of Tervan. And the
people were familiar with the land, and they loved it,
—284—
and desired no more, only to live in that land; for the
strength of the people were those who were young, and
knew not of the other part of the people; and they
had not the good influence of Algoonah and the heads of
the people; and they were ignorant and cared not for
the history of the people; and when their fathers told
them of the history of the good Kaiah and Algoonah,
they scoffed them, Nevertheless, they prospered in
their land, and went and came, and increased in the
land. - A w
So after forty years had passed since Tervan left the
province of Mestus, did Phalon, the governor, make a
decree that the history of the removal of the men of
Kaiah into the land of Mezzinaroth should not be told,
for it was false, as they had dwelt in the land from the
beginning, and no man knew whence came the people
at the first.
Now there was one living who came up from the
land of Algoonah, and he was old ; and his name was
Astolan ; and he privately instructed the young men
of the history of the land and the land of Gehal-
ehmot, and of the land of Mozman, and the land of
Katharia, and all the important things of the history.
And Phalon heard thereof and he was wroth, and
brought Astolan before him, and spake harshly unto
him, and said, Thou knowest that I forbade thee tell-
ing of that foolish story, for it maketh the people dis-
contented, and turneth their heads from their business;
besides, thou knowest not of the things of which ye
speak. Who hath seen Algoonah, or who hath crossed
the great waters from some other land? Be wise, O
father Astolan, and declare that thou believest not
these things, and I will let thee go in peace; otherwise,
—285—
I will set thee in a dungeon, and punish thee for thy
disobedience of the governor.
And Astolan stood up and spake unto all the people, .
saying, Thy servant is an old man, and one whom ye
all know from your childhood. If any man hath ever
heard me speak a lie, let him now stand forth and
accuse me. But they all said, Speak on, Oh Astolan,
for thou art truthful. So Astolan spake further: I
was thirty and four years old when we left the land of
Algoonah, and I was born in the city of Algoonah, by
the great river of the eastward, and I have with mine
own eyes seen Algoonah and Atomia, his wife, and
Jeshurim, the governor of the province, and Biariah,
the governor of the other province, and they all came
out from the land of Gehalehmot, even across the great
Sea; and I have heard them speak and tell of all that
happened ; and this is all true and faithful; and the
governor, even Phalon, cannot change the truth of this
matter. My time is short, and I live but little longer,
and I am the last of the ones who came up with Ter-
van. After I am dead lay my bones here; then depart
unto the land as Tervan desired.
And while Astolan spake, the wrath of Phalon arose,
and he cried out, Down with him, and cast him into a
dungeon ; and it was done. And the people consid-
ered how that Astolan was very old, and had been
always as a father unto them ; so they arose and brake
in the door of the dungeon and let him out; and they
went to cast Phalon therein; and they cast Phalon
therein for treating the old man so despitefully.
And the wise ones of the people said, What danger is
there in believing the story which we have heard from
our fathers and from the governor Tervan. Letus send
—286—
men down for to see if the people there believe the
same story. - -
So they cast out Phalon and made Charnoch gov-
ernor. And they sent men, even ten, to explore the land
by way of the great river. And they arose at the time
of casting seed into the earth, and went thirty days’
journey unto the eastward, and came unto the great
river, and builded boats; and at the end of twenty
days more, made ready and came down the great river
yet another twenty days. And they came unto the
farther abode of the people, and came to land.
And the people came around them, and looked on
them in wonder, and spake with them, saying, whence
come ye? And the ten men spake the same language,
and they told them of Tervan. And some of the peo-
ple took them in and treated them kindly, and told
them that the good king, Algoonah, yet lived. And
on the morrow they sent them on unto the city of Al-
goonah.
And when they were come on two days’ journey
they came unto the city of Algoonah ; and it was noised
abroad that part of the men of Tervan had returned ;
and they brought them speedily unto the house of Al-
goonah, and took them in before him. And when the
ten men saw Algoonah they fell on their faces before
him, for his presence was not like anything they had
ever seen for age and venerableness, as well as intelli-
gence,
And Algoonah was much moved to see them, and
asked them if their people did prosper and not perish.
And the men told him of their prosperity, and why they
came, to wit: For to see him and learn if it was true
of all matters related by Astolan. And Algoonah
—287—
saith unto them, Ye shall hear of your own ears from
my lips the story. -
So Algoonah began at the beginning and told them
the true history, and the chief things that had hap-
pened; and the men wondered greatly.
And Algoonah sent a writing of parchment, making
Charnoch governor of the people, and making the land
a province, if they chose to remain there. -
CHAPTER XXXV.
So it came to pass that Cyrus, the king of Persia,
was dead, and his son Aklan reigned in his stead. Also
Naroch, the king of Assyria, was dead, and his brother
Belnezer's son, Narhaddon, reigned in his stead. Also
Pharonah was the king of Aegyptus, and did reign in the
room of his father, Karnac. And these kings knew of
the land of Gehalehmot, and remembered the traditions
of their fathers.
And Aran the governor did reign thirty and eight
years in the land, and died, leaving Patros governor of
the land of Gehalehmot. And all these years the
land had peace, and there was prosperity in the land.
But in the fifth year of the reign of Patros as gov-
ernor, there came winds from the desert, and the winds
desolated all the lands, even as far as the city of Exus,
being as much as the third thereof. And the wind
came when the corn was earing and smote the corn so
that it died; and many of the people also died, on ac-
count of the wind; and much cattle likewise. And
the people who lived over against the city of Exus, in
the land which was desolated, removed thence and
came in the upper country toward the mountains. -
Then did Patros, the governor, give command that
the men of the upper parts of the land divide their sub-
stance with the men whom the desert wind had driven
out ; and they did so.
- 288
—289—
Now Aklan, the king of Persia, sent down unto the
king of Assyria, saying, Come, I pray, and help me to
war against the nations to the eastward. But the king
of Assyria would not, for Aklan, the young king was
hasty and foolish. +.
And Narhaddon, the king of Assyria, was a wise
king, and he sent unto Aklan, saying, What cause hast
thou against the people to the eastward, and why goest
thou down to battle with them? And Aklan, when he
had heard the words of Narhaddon, was much incensed,
and swore to do battle against the king of Assyria him-
self. -
So he came down with his army after a season, and
pitched his encampment over against the city of Pal-
myra. And the king of Palmyra brought him in and
reasoned with him, saying, Thou canst not overthrow
the mighty king of Assyria, even as strong as thou art;
turn, I pray thee, unto thine own place, for thou wilt
be the destruction and overthrow of both thy people
and the people of Assyria. And the chief men of Persia
joined their voices unto the king of Palmyra, and they
prevailed against him. -
So he consented to return, but said, I will turn aside
and see the land of Gehalehmot, ere I return to my
land. For Aklan had great curiosity to hear of the
people and to see their manners and customs.
So he took picked men, even an hundred score,
and his chief chamberlain, and turned aside into the
land of Gehalehmot; and he came apace and drew nigh
unto the borders of the land, and he stopped on the
borders thereof, and sent messengers unto the rulers of
the land, as was the custom in times of peace in those
days; and the messengers went a days journey into the
—290—
land; and, lo, it was desolated, by reason of the winds
of the desert. And they returned and told the king,say
ing, This land is desolated, by reason of the sand and
wind. We have seen many houses, but no people.
And the mind of Aklan was filled with astonishment,
and he said, I must see this wonderful matter; so he
arose and came over, and went even two days’ journey
into the land; and he was sorrowful, by fearing that
the land was destroyed, so he stopped and sent his
messengers on, to see if haply the land was all de-
stroyed; and the messengers came on unto the city,
and the tomb of Exus ; and here they found the people
of the land. -
And the people of the land asked them whence they
came ; and they said, We be men sent by Aklan,
son of Cyrus, the king of Persia, and we bring peace
with us, if so be that there is peace in the heart of thy
people.
So the messengers came on, and entered into the
presence of the governor Patros. And when Patros
had heard that the king of Persia was near at hand he
was astonished. Nevertheless, he sent and bid him
come in. - - -
So Aklan came in, and stood before the governor,
and he bowed unto the governor, and said, It is well
with my lord the governor. And Patros said, Yea O,
king. And they talked much and very pleasantly.
And the king desired to go forth and view the land.
So Patros sent forth, and bid the people dress them-
selves in new and clean garments, for on such a day
would the great king of Persia view the land; and thus
he did every day. -
So the king of Persia went forth with the governor,
* —291—
and the king saw how the people were all clad in fine
cloth, and he said within himself, this is a great and
rich people; behold how they are clothed for labor in
the fields; but he said nothing unto the governor, but
communed with himself, saying, it is unto my advant-
age that I make treaty of peace with this people; for
if I must needs go to war they will be able to give me
great assistance. - -
So they went through the length and breadth of the
land, and viewed it; and when they returned unto the
chief city, it was the time for the grand council of the
people to meet. And Patros set the king beside him
in the council, and he was astonished at the wisdom of
the old men of the council. And the council sat
twenty days.
And the king called Patros the governor aside, and
desired to make a treaty with him, so that when one
should go to war, then should the other assist.
But, Patros answered, saying: Nay, it is against the
traditions of our people, for to go to war, even from
the days of Minas, the first governor in the land; for
we are a simple people, and till the ground and tend
our flocks and herds and do harm to no man.
And the king was angry, and much displeased, and
got him up and went in haste unto his own land.
In the land of Mezzinaroth.
So the men of the place of Tervan came unto the
presence of Algoonah, and Algoonah, after that he
had told them the history of the people, blessed them
and let them go unto their own place; and he sent
Maronath, a good and trusty man, to see the people of
Tervan, and to see if they desired ought. And they
—292—
also had much presents for the people and for the old
man who came out of the land. And Algoonah sent unto
the people saying: If ye desire to be a separate people
and a separate province, then will I set a governor over
you and make you as the other provinces; but if ye
desire to come down, do as seemeth best unto you.
And the messengers with Maronath, the messenger of
the king, came away and went without accident unto
the place of the men of Tervan ; and the people saw
them approach, and gladly came to see them, and they
looked with wonder on Maronath, and he told them to
meet on the morrow for to consider matters of impor-
tance.
So on the morrow the people assembled together,
and Maronath stood up and told them of all things that
should be of interest to them, even the chief events in
the history of the men of Kaiah, since they left the
land of Gehalehmot; and he told them of the pros-
perity of all the land, and of the great numbers of the
people, and all of importance that had occurred in the
land; and he told them of what Algoonah, the old
king, said; how that if they desired to stay in the land
he would make them as the other provinces and set a
governor over them, or if they chose to come down
they should have a place in the land among the people
of the provinces.
So when Maronath had ceased speaking, the people
all considered the matter, and they said, This is the
land of our birth, and here our fathers and mothers
are buried, and we prefer to remain here ; and further,
we desire that the king set Maronath over us as gover-
nor, and set the bounds of our province, and let it be
—293—
called after our father, Tervan, for he died in this
land.
So Maronath sent unto Algoonah this resolution of
the people and all they desired; and when Algoonah
heard it he was pleased, and set Maronath over the
province as governor; and Maronath sent and brought
workmen and cunning craftsmen and instructed the
people; and there were many of the people come into
the province of Tervan. So that when Maronath had
been governor ten years there were thirty and five
thousand people in the province. When, therefore,
that Maronath took the government of the province,
he set apart two men for service in the temple of Kinar,
as was the custom.
So there was a great highway made unto the great
river; and in the third year of the reign of Maronath,
Jeboran, the king’s son, came and viewed the land and
judged the people; and there was one who had been
governor after Tervan, and he and his fellows fled to
the westward when Maronath was made governor, for
they hated the people; and Maronath desired that his
province should not be behind the other provinces. So
he went among the people continually and made procla-
mation unto them, That every man should till the soil
as his ability demanded.
Now Aklan, the king of Persia, was crafty and
treacherous in his disposition, insomuch that the men
of Persia were much oppressed by him ; and he sought
cause of war with many nations; but the chief captains
turned aside the purpose of the king, so that he went
not to war until the king bethought him and proposed
to take the city of Palmyra and the land of Gehaleh-
mot.
—294–
And he gathered together an exceeding great army,
and came down and sat himself before the city of Pal-
myra, and ditched against it, and set his engines of
war in order about it, and made demand of the king
thereof to give him the city and all the plain thereabout.
And the king of Palmyra was taken unawares and
durst not move out of his place. So he called his chief
men and all his wise counsellors for to see what should
be done; and they counseled that there be made terms
of peace with the king of Persia. And so the king of
the city sent out and sought peace with Aklan.
And Aklan demanded of all the revenues of the city
a fourth part, and that the armies of Persia should
hold the city continually; and that there should be
given of the fairest of the daughters of the city unto
the king of Persia for his bed-chamber; and especially
should Hermaida, the king’s daughter, be given unto
the king of Persia.
Now Hermaida was the fairest of all the damsels in
all the lands; and the fame of her beauty went forth
unto all kindreds; for the king was very old and Her-
maida ministered unto him before the people.
So Hermaida heard of all that transpired, and she
determined not to go with the king of Persia. She
also heard that the king proposed to overrun the land
of Gehalehmot, and her resolution was speedily taken.
So when the old king of Palmyra heard the demand
of Aklan his heart was filled with sorrow and he knew
not what he should do. So he asked of Aklan time to
consider the matter, and Aklan said, If the king of
Palmyra answereth me not by the rising of the sun
to-morrow, then will I overrun his city and make it a
heap of desolation. w
—295—
So in the night Hermaida comforted her father, the
old king, and went with a trusty servant and a camel,
and came away in haste unto the way of the land of
Gehalehmot, first counseling her father to give the city
unto the king of Persia. -
So Hermaida came through the armies of Persia
while they slept, and by the morning she came up with
merchants of the land of Gehalehmot; and they cast
off their burdens, and brought the young woman in
haste unto the presence of Patros, the governor, at
the end of fifteen days.
So Hermaida came into the presence of the gov-
ernor, and told him of the whole matter with tears;
and she prayed Patros to go down and help the city of
Palmyra with an army. And Patros bid the women
of his household to take the damsel and care for her.
And Patros was much troubled and knew not what
to do, as the people had no knowledge of the use of the
implements of battle. So he cast about him in trouble
of spirit. - -
And Hermaida came in the early watch of the morn-
ing, and asked of Patros what he should do. And
Patros told her of all that he had thought upon, and
that there could be nothing accomplished with the peo-
ple of Gehalehmot, for they knew not how to do battle.
Then Hermaida arose and went away unto the land
of Assyria. And Patros sent an escort of men and of
animals with her. So she came unto the chief city of
Assyria, and had audience with the king, even Narhad-
don. And Narhaddon bid her be of good comfort, and
he would consult with his brother, the king of Aegyp-
tus, and they would overthrow the wicked king of
Persia.
—296–
And the anger of Hermaida was enkindled, and she
came away from the presence of the king, and hastened
unto her own city. And the time she was absent was
five months. And she entered the city in the disguise
of a shepherd boy, and hastened to seek her father,
but could not find him.
Now the king of Persia had taken the city, and
treacherously cast the old king into a dungeon, and
spoiled the city and carried off the maidens, and set
an army of Persia in the palace and chief places.
And the men of the city were nigh unto an hundred
and eighty thousand. So Hermaida was filled with
valor, and the spirit of battle came over her; and she
went forth secretly and aroused the men of Palmyra,
and there was a great uprising of the men of the city.
So that the men of Persia said, one to another, What
meaneth all this sound of the hammers of the smiths?
But they cared not for the men of Palmyra.
So Hermaida caused those who made ready, to as-
semble at the breaking of the day at the great temple
of the sun, in the chief place of the city; and as the
sun arose, Hermaida went before the men of the city,
and she caused them to fall on the men of Persia, so
that they were taken in surprise, and she smote them
with great slaughter and spared not any, for they were
all in the city, but put them all to the sword; and
Hermadia stayed not the hands of the men of the city
until there were no more of the men of Persia in the
walls of the city of Palmyra. Then she cast out the
bodies of the men, and brake the doors of the dungeon
and led out her father, the old king, and caused him to
be washed and shaved, and to be clothed in the robe of
—297—
the king, and set him on the throne and set all things
in order.
Then she called the men of the city and assembled
them around the great temple, and stood up before
them ; and her presence was like unto the sun rising
in his strength, and she lifted up her voice, and said,
As the great Lord of heaven and earth liveth, I will
not rest or cease to follow the king of Persia until all
the maidens and virgins he hath taken from us are
brought back again.
And when she had thus spoken, there arose a mighty
shout like unto an hundred thunders; and all the men
of the city and all the strangers abiding there united in
one voice, and they said, We will go unto the utter-
most parts of the earth, and Hermaida shall lead us.
So she gave command that there should be an hun-
dred thousand fighting men prepared, and it was
speedily done. And the armorers made Hermaida
an armor, and plated it with gold within and without ;
and she made ready and went out of the city, and rode
in a chariot at the head of her army, and went after
the king of Persia.
Now Aklan, after he had rioted the city of Palmyra,
gat him up and came down into the land of Gehaleh-
mot, and he made haste and came unto the chief city
thereof, and stayed not but marched directly thereto.
And the walls of the city were strong, but when Pa-
tros heard of the coming of the king of Persia, he gave
command that the people should all flee unto the moun-
tains. And so when the king of Persia set down be-
fore the city he found no one therein. Nevertheless,
the fires were yet burning and pottage was yet seething
–298–
on the hearths as he entered therein; and he went
into the city, and his army possessed it. -
Now the people of the land went out in such haste
that they took but little away, and there was much
plunder in the city and in the surrounding country;
and the soldiers of the king of Persia went forth and
spoiled the land, and burned the houses of the people,
and laid the land waste, and slew the animals, and
brake down the corn, for the time of harvest was at
hand; and the people of the land were ready to perish
in the mountains for hunger, and fear of the army of
Persia. º
Now Aklan had three score and eight of the fairest
of the maidens of the city of Palmyra, and he had
them in the palace of the governor of Gehalehmot, and
a strong guard of trusty men around them. And he
was at his ease in the city, and proposed to go out and
follow the men of Gehalehmot, as soon as he rested
from his march, and cast them off from the earth.
Now he had collected much spoil of the land, and
gathered it together in the chief city of the people, and
sent forth continually and spoiled the land, for the
spirit of evil disposition had come over him.
Now on a certain day, the men of Persia were driven
into the city with much slaughter, and the walls there-
of were vehemently stormed from the outside, and ere
the king knew of the matter, an army had encompassed
the walls, and was breaking them down.
So the king trembled within himself, and sent forth
to see who it was that attacked him ; and the messen-
ger returned with this message:
I am Hermaida, the daughter of the king of Palmyra,
and the sister of those whom ye have carried off; and
—299—
as the Lord liveth, I will make thee this day as the men
whom ye left in the city of Palmyra ; and at that
time the men outside the walls raised a great shout ;
and the heart of Aklan died within him, and he fell as
one dead.
So the chief general of all the armies of Persia made
the best shift he could ; but the men of Palmyra brake
down the walls and came in, in great vengeance. And
the men of Persia fled out of the great gate. And the
men of Palmyra fell on them; and there fell that day
six score thousand. And the remnant of the army of
Persia went away across the desert, and came in sor-
row unto their own land.
Now Aklan was in the chamber of the governor’s
palace, and he was wrapped in the curtain of the gov-
ernor’s bed; and his spirit was dead within him, as he
heard the shouting of the people of Palmyra,
And Hermaida bare a sword, and led the people in
battle ; and when they entered the city, she cast about
her for the place where the maidens of Palmyra were
kept ; and she met a soldier of Persia, and made to
smite off his head ; but she bid him to tell her where
the maidens were and he should be spared ; and he led
Hermaida unto the place, and she smote the guard and
slew him, and brake the door of the palace; but en-
tered not in. Then she commanded the soldier of Per-
sia to lead her to the place of the king; and he led
her to the place of the governor’s bed chamber, and
Hermaida brake the door and went in. And' as she
went in, the heart of Aklan died within him, and he
roared out, and begged for mercy. -
Nevertheless, Hermaida Smote him in the bed with
the Sword, and cut off his head, and said:
—300–
The mercy thou showest, that shalt thou also re-
ceive. And she took the royal crown of Persia, and
carried it away; then there was quiet in the city, for
the carnage had ceased.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Now the people of Gehalehmot were scattered in the
mountains, and there was great distress among the
people, and especially among the women and chil-
dren. And Patros was so filled with sorrow, that he
bowed himself and died.
And there was a young man of the household of
Exus, and he was filled with wisdom and valor; and he
assumed to lead the people, and govern them until such
time as a governor should be selected. The name of
the youth was Kinaroth, and he had possession of
the white stone of Exus, and it never afterward left
his kindred, for of the house of Kinaroth came Kinar,
the cunning workman,
So Kinaroth arose and gathered the people together,
and set them in companies and in families, and distri-
buted provender unto them. And at this time came a
messenger from Hermaida, saying, Peace unto the peo-
ple of Gehalehmot, thine enemy is dead; and thou
shalt come down and keep thy land, and hold it in
peace.
And Hermaida commanded that there be a great pit
dug outside the city; and there were cast therein the
slain of the men of Persia; and she raised a great
mound over the pit. And the mound standeth in the
land of Gehalehmot, over against the great river unto
this day. -
- 301
—302—
And the messengers of Kinaroth came down and
viewed the land, and saw it was true what Hermaida
had said. So the people came down, and the army of
Hermaida withdrew unto their own land at the time of
the latter rains. And the men of Gehalehmot came
down, and abode in the hither parts of the land, that
the men of Persia had not wasted, and built up other
houses and dwelt in peace.
And of all the calamities that had visited the land,
and the people of Gehalehmot, this was the most dire;
for there died of the people six score thousand men,
women and children; and of the produce of the land,
there was an hundred and fifty thousand score lahs
weight destroyed; and also, a third part of all the
beasts of the field, besides houses and other things.
And Kinaroth set all the matter before the kings of
Assyria and of Aegyptus. -
Now, the men of Persia had spoiled the land without
cause, and drave out the people, so that they perished
in the wildernness by reason of hunger and exposure.
And Kinaroth builded up the land, and set boundaries
that all should have his portion, and proceeded to
restore the prosperity of the people.
Now, Hermaida went into her own city, and carried
back the maidens that were taken away and restored
them to their own place, and she sware to overrun the
land of Persia and cast out the household of Aklan
from the earth, for he was evil in his generation. So
she gathered together an army of sixty thousand and
marched into the land of Persia. And Darah, the
brother of Aklan, had recruited the men of Persia, and
got a great army and entrenched himself against the
coming of the army of Palmyra ; and they met the army
—303–
of Hermaida over against the borders of the land of
Persia, and they came together in battle, and the battle
waxed hot, and the slaughter was very great, and there
was none that could stand before the army of Palmyra.
So when the sun had raised on the third day of the
battle, the men of Persia threw down their implements
of battle and fled before the army of Hermaida, every
man to his own place.
So Darah, the king, arose and went unto his own city
and gathered together what men he could, and made
shift to defend himself from the anger of the young
maiden of Palmyra ; but she came apace and encom-
passed the city about, and prepared to cast down the
walls thereof, and brake the battlements of the city.
And Darah made engines of war and cast great stones
over the walls and slew many of the men of Palmyra.
Then Hermaida arose in the vehemence of her spirit
and commanded that the engines be cast against the
gates; and they fell with a mighty noise, so that the
hearts of the men of the city sank within them, and
they submitted to the men of Palmyra. And Her-
maida gave command that no man should be injured,
save the king. But Darah escaped out of the city, and
fled no one knew whither. Then did Hermaida send
forth proclamation to all the people of Persia, saying:
This day hath the house of Cyrus been overthrown,
and I only am ruler of the land of Persia; and it is my
intent to rule this people with wisdom and gentleness,
if so be that the people be loyal and obedient unto me;
and whosoever shall rise in rebellion, him shall I mis-
erably destroy, even to his wives and little ones. Take
heed then to my words, and the land of Persia shall be
among the greatest of all nations, even like unto the
—304—
time of Cyrus, the good king, of whose lineage I also
am, being of the house of the ancient kings of Gheba.
So when the people of Persia had heard the procla-
mation of Hermaida, they said with one accord, The
daughter of the ancient kings of Gheba shall be our
ruler, for she hath proved to be mighty in war and
in valor. So Hermaida put on the crown, and sat on the
throne of Persia, and ruled all the land thereof; and
the people were satisfied, and had peace for a season.
And the king of Assyria, even Narhaddon, sent unto
the king of Aegyptus, even Pharonah, and laid before
him all that had happened unto the land of Gehaleh-
mot; and the king of Aegyptus and the king of Assy-
ria made proclamations unto all nations and kindreds
and tongues, saying, It has come to the knowledge of
the kings of Aegyptus and Assyria, most potent and
great, that the king of Persia hath overthrown the land
of Gehalehmot, and destroyed a great number of the
people thereof, who are a harmless and simple people,
who do good and no evil; and hath spoiled their land
and made it desolate. Now, it pleaseth us to ask of the
ruler of the land of Persia to make amends unto the
people of Gehalehmot, and to repay them for the spoil-
ing of their land, and to make treaty of peace with
them. In such case as the ruler of the land of Per-
sia refuseth to so make amends, then will the kings of
Assyria and of Aegyptus be compelled to go to battle
with the ruler of Persia.
Then did the matter come before Hermaida, the
Queen of the land of Persia; and she sent forth proc-
lamation unto the kings of Assyria and of Aegyptus,
saying: -
It has come to the knowledge of us, the most potent
—305—
sovereign of all the land of Persia, that the great
kings of Assyria and Aegyptus hath made proclama-
tion concerning the matter of the land of Gehalehmot.
Now be it known that when the land of Gehalehmot
was sore pressed, and the city of Palmyra was spoiled,
that the daughter of the king of Palmyra, even I,
Hermaida, went unto the king of Assyria and set be-
fore him all these things, and he moved not to help the
land of Gehalehmot, or the city of Palmyra, but sat
in his palace. And the daughter of the king of Pal-
myra got the men of Palmyra together and overran
the land of Gehalehmot, and sought out the cruel
king of Persia, and smote him heavily and dispersed
his army, and slew the king, and set the men of Ge-
halehmot in their own land; and then overthrew the
house of the king, and conquered the kingdom of Per-
sia, and now rule the land thereof.
Now hear, all nations, that if the kings of Assyria
and of Aegyptus desire to be friendly to the ruler of
Persia, then she is willing to make a treaty of peace
with them ; otherwise let them come forth and meet
the armies of Persia in battle.
And the proclamation of the queen came unto the
the kings of Assyria and of Aegyptus. And they had
no answer to give, for they were discomfited. And
the people of the other nations honored the queen of
Persia, and derided the kings.
So Hermaida sat on the throne of Persia. And she
was twenty years old when she began to reign ; and
her reign was more glorious than any which went be-
fore. She also tear down the temples of fire, and drave
out the priests thereof, and set aside the worship of
fire; and builded the great city of Sofranah and beau-
—306—
tified it, and made it the astonishment ºf all nations.
And she made the city of Palmyra to be free, and
gave unto it the merchandise of the highway of na-
tions, and set it on a firm foundation ; and made her
younger brother, Ekfah, to be king of all that land.
And she was great and famous; and she took her name
as the great queen of Persia.
And her name is written in the history of that land
as Zenobia, the great queen; and all nations have read
of the fame of the great queen.
So Kinaroth ruled the people of Gehalehmot, and
he was a wise and good man, and one who loved his
people and did right; and the queen of Persia made a
treaty of peace and friendship with him, and privately
gave of the substance of the land unto the people of
Gehalehmot; so that at the end of twenty years the
land was as prosperous as at first.
And Kinaroth knew that the land must needs be ex-
posed unto the avarice of nations, so he counselled the
people to follow in the way of the fathers of the land,
and not to lay up great treasures in the land, lest the
nations fall upon them again.
So he set up schools where the wisdom of all nations
was taught, and the people returned unto the customs
of their fathers, and there was peace and quiet through-
out all the land.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
Then was Kinaroth governor of the land of Gehaleh-
mot. And the people were cast down and broken in
spirit, for more than one-third part of the people fell
in the wilderness from hunger and exposure; for the
king of Persia cast them out of their own land, and
spoiled their land as far as the tomb of Exus.
And Kinaroth was wise in his generation, and he
made proclamation unto the people, saying: We will
no more have aught to do with the men of the nations,
save in such manner as is very necessary, and in such
way as we cannot avoid.
And so it was that the people returned unto the sim-
ple and child like habits of their fathers, and had no
more dealings with the people of other nations. And in
time did the people of Gehalehmot cast off their mourn-
ing for those who had fallen in the wilderness, and
builded a mounent unto Patros, the governor, beside
the monument of Exus and Manos.
And Kinaroth, the governor, went continually
through the land, and strengthened the people, and
caused them to build up that which had been broken
down by the men of Persia, and he also received much
from Hermaida the queen.
So now it behooveth us to tell of the kingdoms of
Persia, and of Assyria, and of Aegyptus. There arose
other kings, even Hykos of Aegyptus, and Shalmane-
zer of Assyria, for the other kings thereof had died,
307
—308—
and the new kings knew not of the land of Gehaleh-
mot, nor cared therefor; and they made treaty of
peace together, and became jealous of the power of
Persia, insomuch that they determined to go down and
meet the queen thereof in battle, and break the power
of the army of Persia. -
So they made preparations and came down as far as
the great plain of the desert, beyond the way of the
city of Palmyra ; and they set themselves to march
against the land of Persia.
Now the queen of Persia had spies in the lands of
Assyria and Aegyptus; and they heard of the matter,
and came out privately, and quickly went and told the
queen of Persia of the matter. And she sent forth
proclamations unto the governors of provinces, and
unto the chief captains, and unto all the great men of
Persia, and bid them go forth and stir up the people,
and bring them forth to battle.
Now the land of Persia was an exceeding great and
populous land, and there was much people in it, and
they were much delighted to go to battle, for they
were very great and strong; and there were great prep-
arations. And the queen soon saw around her an army
of eight hundred thousand choice men, large and strong.
And she went forth, and rode upon an elephant, and
viewed all the army; and she caused them to practice
continually all the movements of battle. And this she
did continually for the space of six months. And on a
certain day was there word brought unto the queen,
saying: There cometh an army, and they are as the
leaves on the trees for multitude, and they have crossed
over the borders of the land of Persia, and have burned
the houses, and are laying waste all the land before them.
—309—
So the spirit of battle came over the queen, and she
Quickly made the people ready, by hundreds of thou-
sands, and sent them in order; one hundred thousand
a half day’s journey, behind, another hundred thousand,
and so on, until all the army was in motion, and the
queen went ahead of the first ; and this because she
had known that it is not good to have too large an army
together; and she quickly came unto where the armies
of Assyria and of Aegyptus were ; and she fell upon
them at the third hour of the day, with the first hundred
thousand; and the men of Assyria and of Aegyptus
were brought to battle speedily; and at the ninth hour,
came another hundred thousand of the men of Persia,
and fell on the side of the armies of Assyria and
Aegyptus, and smote them heavily, so that they were
faint. Then did the night come, and two more hun-
dred thousand of the men of Persia, and fell in order
on the other side of the armies of Assyria and Aegyp-
tus, so that when the morning was come, behold, the
land was covered with the hosts of Persia; and the sun
arose, and Hermaida blew a trumpet, and cast the
armies of Persia upon the armies of Assyria and
Aegyptus, and the battle was very great, so that the
noise thereof went up to heaven ; and there was that
day such a battle as we cannot wish to see again, for
the best men of battle on earth were therein. And at
the third hour of the morning came yet another hun-
dred thousand of the men of Persia, fresh and valiant,
and they speedily cast themselves into battle. Now
the kings of Assyria and of Aegyptus rode in one
chariot, and they were young men and full of valor,
and the word was brought to them, saying: There
come continually fresh armies of Persia, and they
—310—
are as the stars of heaven for multitude. And the
armies of the king were sore pressed, so that they were
failing, and when the night came there arose a mighty
wind, and the armies of the kings withdrew thence
and fell back toward the city of Palmyra, for the kings
saw that the armies would surely be overcome by the
superior numbers and freshness of the army of Persia.
So they came away in haste, and rested not until they
came unto the land of Assyria, for the king of Aegyp-
tus turned aside into his own country.
So when the morning was come, the wind continued,
so that the queen could not go to battle that day; and
the armies rested there; and on the second morning
the queen looked forth, and lo, there was naught to
be seen in all the plain, save the army of Persia; and
Hermaida arose, and took her army and marched down
in haste unto the land of Assyria, and she sent a quick
messenger unto her brother, the king of Palmyra,
saying: Prepare in haste, provender for the armies
of Persia, and he did so ; and it was brought after the
army, for the queen tarried not ; and so she came unto
the land of Assyria, but gave command, saying, Hurt
not the land, neither burn nor slay, for we war against
the king and the army of this land, and not against the
people of it. And the king went unto his chief city
and scorned the army of Persia, for the walls of the
city were every strong, and he had sent unto Hykos, the
king of Aegyptus, bidding him come in haste, for the
army of Persia sat before his city; and so Shalmanezer
drank wine and rioted in his palace, for he cared not
for the army of Persia, but awaited the army of
Hykos. But Hykos said within himself, It is meet
that I should defend my own land, for if the queen
–311–
overeometh the land of Assyria, then will she turn in
und spoil my land. So he moved not from his place,
but strengthened the borders of his own land, and
\made ready to defend it. So the army of Aegyptus
came not to help the army of Assyria.
And at the end of eight months, the chief men
of Assyria were much moved with shame, and called
on the king to lead them forth against the army
of Persia, for they were sore ashamed of being set at
naught by the men of Persia. -
And on a certain day the king sent word unto the
queen, saying, On such a day will the army of Assyria
come out, and meet them in battle. Then did the
Queen draw off her army, and made ready sixty fur-
longs distance from the city.
And the army of Assyria came out of the gates of
the city, and went out to meet the army of Persia; and
they drew down within two bow shot of the men of
Persia, and stayed; and neither army came unto battle,
for their blood was cold, and they cared not to meet
each other; and there was silence all that day. And at
night there was no battle, for neither came to meet
the other. -
But when the morning was come, the king of Assyria
thought to take the queen of Persia by craft, and
while it was yet dark he moved quickly forth, and fell
upon the army of Persia; but they were old fighting
men, and valorously arose and went into battle; but
the army of Assyria had the better of them, and press-
ed them heavily, so that they fell away, and departed
toward the plain ; but the queen rode into the army
and stayed them, and turned them about, so that they
fell no more away, but pressed the army of Assyria
—312—
unto the gates of the city, and so neither prevailed;
but the army of Assyria entered the gates, and the
army of Persia drew away to the plain.
Now the queen had sent unto her chief governor,
and he sent unto her six hundred thousand other men,
and she encamped again around the city.
And Shalmanezer sent forth and gathered together a
great multitude of the men of Assyria. And they came
over against the army of Persia, and stayed at the dis-
tance of four hundred furlongs from the city. Then
the queen thought to break the walls of the city, and
she set great engines against it, and cast great stones
against the walls; but they brake not, for they were
exceeding strong. -
So the king sent privately and gathered all the army
outside the city and brought them up, and set them
behind the armies of Persia, and came out of the city
and fell upen the army of Persia, and smote them be-
fore and behind.
But the men of Persia were very valiant, and did
valiantly; so that at the going down of the sun was
there no advantage on either side. And thus did the
battle proceed without advantage, until the queen saw
she must take the city by craft, for the men of As-
syria were well skilled in battle.
So on a certain night she drew off her army, and as
if she was departing unto her own land; and went no
further than the city of Palmyra, and there refreshed
her army, until at the end of four months, she came
down in haste and encamped against the great city of
Assyria, even Bablona, and stormed it vehemently.
And the king was taken very much by surprise, for
he thought the army of Persia had departed unto its
—313—
own land. Nevertheless, the king was valiant, and he
called out what men and soldiers were in the city; for
the most part of the army had gone to their own
places; and he resisted valiantly.
Now the queen supposed that there were but few
men in the city, and she came vehemently against the
great gates to the northward, and cast great beams
against them, so that they were broken. And the men
of Persia essayed to enter. And the conflict waged
hot at the great gate. So the women of the city stood
upon the wall by the gate and cast stones down upon
the men of Persia.
And Hermaida looked and saw the women of the city
fighting on the walls, and her heart smote within her.
And at the going down of the sun she went into her
own tent; and the spirit of valor departed from her
for she had the heart of a woman, and she thought Of
naught but the women on the walls. So at the morn-
ing she drew off the army of Persia, and went into her
own land; and thus was the war at an end. -
But as soon as the army of Persia drew off, Shal-
manezer would no longer be taken by craft, but gath-
ered together a vast army, and made ready for the re-
turn of the army of Persia; but it came no more in
the land at that time.
Then was there a coldness between the kings of As-
syria and of Aegyptus, for the king of Aegyptus came
not down to help the king of Assyria to war against
the queen of Persia.
In the land of Mezzinaroth:
Jeboran was sixty and five years old, and his strength
was very great ; and he had neither sons nor daughters
until this time. And when he was seventy and five
—314—
years old, and Algoonah was an hundred and
twenty-six years old, was there a son born unto
Jeboran. And the child was taken unto Algoonah,
and he held it up in his arms and stood up before the
people and blessed the child. And they asked Algoo-
nah what he should be called, and Algoonah said, His
name shall be Amiel, which is in the speech of the land,
“Great King.” And Algoonah was overcome with
the speech of prophecy, and he said, Unto this child is
given the greatest and mightiest work that hath been
given unto any one since the world first began, and in
his hands shall be the dividing of nations.
So after Algoonah had ceased speaking they all de-
parted unto their own place.
And Jeboran was minded to go forth and view all
the provinces and set them in order, and view the prog-
ress of each, for he was minded to see where he should
build his chief city; and where he should abide at such
time as he should leave the province of Jeshurim.
So he went forth unto the province of Osurus, and
into the province of Albanas. And the people thereof
came out to meet him. And he viewed all the land;
and it was satisfactory to Jeboran. And he said unto
the governor of the land of Albanas, Here will I build
my chief city, and here will I abide ; for this land only
pleaseth me.
So the foundations were laid and the city was com-
menced. And there were a great multitude of work-
men at labor continually building the city, which should
be the chief place of the king Jeboran.
And Jeboran returned, and viewed the land of Go-
nath, and the land of Mestus, and the land of Biariah,
and the land of Tervan, and saw the prosperity of the
—315—
people; for they had builded great threshing floors,
and great store-houses; so that all the land of Mezzi-
naroth overflowed with the produce of the earth.
And the king Jeboran was pleased, and saw the pros-
perity of the land, and went in and told unto Algoo-
nah of all that he saw, as was his wont. And Algoonah
blessed the land, and the people thereof, and said, May
they thus be, unto the latest generations. But sadness
covered the face of Algoonah, and he said, It will not
be as I desire.
In the land of Persia:
Now when the queen returned into her own country
she was sad of heart; and she loved not war, only in
defense of her own land; so to amuse her mind she
commanded that the ancient history of her land be col-
lected together, and that it be read before her. So it
was done. And among the histories that had been put
away, was found the poem read before the king, which
was written by him who was afterward the governor of
the land of Gehalehmot, even Manos. *
And the queen commanded that it be read before
her in the presence of all the court; and it was done.
So the chief man of the inner court stood up and
read before the queen, as followeth :

HODRAH.
A N E PIC PO E. NM .
CANTO I.
SCENE I.
(IN THE GARDEN OF PARADISE.)
Ariel, an Archangelic Spirit newly created talking with himself.
Life I Life I Life
O whence doth come this new sensation—Life?
Yea, life I have, and power to think, to talk,
To reason, and express my thoughts in words;
And reason clearly, calling things by name.
Whence, whence again, doth come this power?
It doth not come by happy chance,
Or circumstance fortuitous. -
This, then, is clear: I here do live and think;
And clearer still, I came not here by chance.
Ah! now I feel, I know, I have a cause,
An Origin greater far than I;
And, rapturous thought, a cause most potent,
Great, yea more than great, greatly good,
And pure, and wise. My being thrills
With rapture new. The thought divine,
A Being pure and grandly good.
Good! What is good? I am good.
Then He who did me create is grandly good.
And evil, Ha! this icy thrill that fills my breast,
Full Well I feel What evil is.
Yet ’tis far from me, though self-existant,
A thing abstract, dim, yet still defined.
O rapturous thought ! this Being who did me create
Is near—is here—His presence all around,
He hears, and Speaks unto mime immost Soul.
816
—317—
O rapture all divine, yet hardly full, for I
Am all alone, yet not alone;
A presence yet is always here, the Great Eternal Here;
But fellowship I lack—One higher not than I,
With whom to hold communion sweet.
I am content; 'tis well; I feel 'tis well;
Supremely blest am I. A guiding Hand I feel,
And know his Presence ever near, to cherish, comfort me;
I feel e'en now a new desire—To move; 'tis done;
I move, I fly. I change my place and range at will
The Wide and boundless dome of heaven;
I speed with rapid wing from side to side,
Yet cannot 'scape the Presence ever near.
Blest thought! But hall what shape appears?
'Tis he; yes, ’tis hel A being like myself.
Thrice rapturous thought ! O spirit archangelic. Speak!
GABRIEL.
Hail, first-born son of light! I know thee now,
'Tis thee I’ve ranged the wide expanse around,
And sought with care, O brother mine.
O rapture grandly sweet! I meet thee here,
And feel thy influence on my soul.
Thou pure, and good, and lovely art;
And so am I. And yet I feel the Presence grand,
Of something far more pure and good, and great.
We are but creatures of that essence pure, Supreme and good.
ARIEL.
And so I feel, and long have felt;
And ere thy fellowship of kindred sweet,
I long did muse in thought profound,
And all came bright, and Strong and clear.
There is a power, O greater far than we;
Else could we not have been create.
I cannot thee, nor canst thou me create,
Nor could we both, a being like ourselves,
O vastly less in thought or power, bring forth.
'Tis true, and rapture great the thought pursues,
That there is One who made and keeps with care—"
Yea, keeps with care. A rapture new doth fill my mind
To thank, to bless, to praise, for He can ever hear;
Then let us With One accord. -
—318—
ARIEL AND GABRIEL BOTH TOGETHER.
O, Being, grand and great, and pure and good!
In all perfection just. We, thy created creatures, fall
Before thee, with our thanks, our praise.
Be pleased to hear and thou accept our love
And adoration full; ’tis all we have to give.
ARIEL.
'Tis now I feel that well we’ve dome
To render up this grateful praise.
'Tis worship. That I feel, and move;
It is the highest work that we can do.
It brings its sweet reward. A bliss
Without alloy, and peace and joy complete.
GABRIEL.
And so I feel. But lo, thy Vision cast
To yonder shape, like ours. O rapture new,
Another one—a spirit pure and good.
ENTER ISRAFEL, SPEAKING.
'Tis true, they’re there; my quest is done,
And they do there before me stand
In shape angelic. Beauty radiant, grand,
And emanations from the Power Supreme,
That I do always feel so near.
I something felt as lacking still,
My bliss divine to consummate.
They here are found. Hail brothers dear!
ARIEL AND GABRIEL,
New cause we have for praise, blest three,
To hold communion sweet and pure
With one another, and to feel so near.
ISRAFEL.
I know and feel that all of us do feel alike.
Our thoughts, our minds, are one, yet so distinct,
Apart for converse and communion sweet,
Yet one in heart and voice for praise.
And He whose presence all do feel so near,
Of Him I more would know. I more already feel,
A word it all defines, expresses full—Fatherl
—319—
ALL THREE TOGETHER.
Father Divine. O, hear our praise.
We thank thee for creative power;
We thank thee for preserving care;
We thank thee for sustaining love,
And for communion with our kindred ones.
O, ever keep thou near, and guard us with thy fear.
ARIEL SPEAKS.
My brethren two, we’re not alone;
As I now feel, another one draws near.
Ah! there he comes. Angelic one, all hail!
RAPHAEL SPEAKS.
What! can I believe? or am I now deceived,
By shapes create of fevered dream P. Ah, no!
'Tis they whom I have sought to fill this void,
So dim, so undefined? They're kindred ones.
ARIEL, GABRIEL, AND ISRAFEL.
O transport new, and all divine, new pleasures grant,
Another one to share our joy, and converse sweet.
RAPHAEL SPEAKS.
I sought you from an instinct undefined—
And knew not what it was I sought,
Put felt a void; I knew full well
'Twas you. Ye sons of light divine.
ENTER MICHAEL, MINUEL, AND SAMIEL, SPEAKING.
Hail! sons of light; Hail! joy supreme;
We all together, Archangels seven,
And first born of the sons of Heaven.
ARIEL, GABRIEL, ISRAFEL, RAPHAEL, MICHAEL, MINUEL, AND SAMIEL
TOGETHER.
O Father, all Supreme, we thank Thee for Thy care.
SCENE II.
SONG OF THE ARCHANGELS.
Thou who inhabitest all Immensity—
And filleth all the bounds of space,
Who from the Everlasting art,
And ever, ever shall exist—
Thou, Thou alone art over all,
—320–
And Father of the universe,
Creator wise, supremely good,
Sustainer of Thy handiwork;
Be pleased to hear Thy children, seven.
We thank Thee, O our Father good;
We praise Thee, O Creator great;
We bless Thee, O Sustainer kind;
And love Thee for Thy constant care.
Accept our thanks; Our minds improve,
So we new beauties still can see.
Be ever near; Thy presence lend,
To keep us through eternity.
We thank Thee, we praise Thee,
We bless Thee, we love Thee;
O keep us to the end—Amen. .
And thus they sang. Seven new born sons of light,
Resplendent fair; Of the Great Cause, befitting types;
All pure, all good, for purpose Wise and grand.
And at the head, high reared and fair,
Stood Ariel chief of all the cherubim,
And countless hosts, as yet created not.
And as they stood in earnest converse there,
They spake of great mysterious things.
First, of the Great Creative Power.
Unseen; unknown; so far, yet ever near.
And as they talk, their minds expand,
And farther into hidden things they see.
Enraptured all, save one, who stood apart,
With look downcast, and crest abased,
Samiel, last create; no Word he spake,
*Till urged long, at length found speech.
SAMIEL SPEAKS.
Thou tell'st of joy and rapture full,
And thoughts sublime; I feel it not
To such a great degree;
'Tis true, in being I rejoice,
And know a Cause all great and good
Did bring us here; but can not feel
The love ye simulate So Well, -
Like billows vast, my being overwhelm.
—321—
ARIEL SPEAKS. -
Samiel, son of light, refulgent beam
Of that Great Essence; thou art One
Well favored—last born son of that great train
Of heavenly hosts; Chief of a Seraphic host—
Then can'st thou feel thy great estate?
Thy speech doth wound me much.
SAMIEL SPEAKS.
Though here with thee, archangels bright,
My great estate is not as yours.
Ye all are holy, good, and pure,
While I am not. The wrong is in my breast.
ARIEL, GABRIEL, ISRAFEL, RAPHAEL, MICHAEL, MINUEL-ALL SPEAK.
O, fearful words ! O, fearful thought !
To hear a spirit newly formed and pure,
Speak in such dark and impious way.
O Samiell son of light, Speak, speak again,
And cast this darkness from our minds.
SAMIEL.
Alas, I cannot change a grand decree.
Undone am I, my doom is past recall.
I first was pure, as are ye all;
But I have set myself above the power
Of Him who all my being formed,
And chafed the power that binds me down.
Henceforth undone, I range alone the vast expanse,
And feel the woe of him Who disobeys. e.
Farewell; 'tis just. I go alone. [Samiel departs.
THE SIX ARCHANGELS.
Woe; woe in Heaven; he goes; is gone.
His fate severe is past recall.
A being bright, O bitter woel
Hath lost his bright and pure estate. [They all lament.
So six alone were left; in sad dismay
And fear, they stand bereft,
But soon the blest assurance comes,
—322–
That He who is so good, so pure, is also just,
And will the good sustain, and change the fate
Of him who disobeys; -
And soon their joy was full again.
And Samiel journeyed forth alone, downcast and sad,
No more to hold communion sweet,
And with archangels bright rejoice.
CANTO II.
The six Archangels on the battlements of Heaven, conversing.
MICHAEL SPEAKS,
Gone ! Gone ! from out the realm of peace,
Love, light and joy; henceforth outcast, and in the depths
Of solitude to roam alone—yea, all alone, -
But feeling ever near, a presence dread and undefined,
From which he cannot 'scape.
Outcast, yet in communion with an inner voice,
More fearful far than utter loneliness.
We yet remain, the favored sons of light,
Our joy is full and calm—serene;
And Samiel shall forgotten be, as if he never were.
ARIEI, SPEAKS.
Yea, gone; thou has’t well spoken, valiant one;
His fate is all his own, We need not mourn
The hapless fate of him who courts despair.
And now I know the meaning dread,
Of that foul word the opposite of good—
Evil. Well did I tremble as I mused
When first the light of reason dawned.
GABRIEL SPEAKS,
All just, as well as good and pure, and wise.
Is He who ruleth all his handiwork.
RAPHAEL SPEAKS,
His fate is sad, yet well deserved;
And we can yet rejoice, unmindful that he's gone,
—323–
MINUEL SPEAKS.
Fallen is he who once was high and great;
His bright estate is gone in utter night.
ISRAEEL SPEAKS,
Hark! what music sweet steals o'er my sense?
Hear, all ye angelic spirits, hear!
ALL TOGETHER.
O joy untold, O sound entrancing sweet.
SCENE III.
a HOST OF CHERUBIM SEEN APPROACHING IN THE DISTANCE.
Lo, wondrous scene, for while they gazed,
A vast array of shining cherubim
With rapid wing encompassed all the concave dome,
And with enraptured song the welkin rang.
So straightway joined the cherubim,
The archangelic band; And praises loud,
Filled all the wide expanse of Heaven,
And myriads more, crowd 'round the central throng,
Winging their flight to swell the anthem grand.
SONG OF THE CHERUBIM.
Shout on I shout on! angelic host,
Hosannah to the Highest cry;
Sing loud ye archangelic band,
Fill all the dome of Heaven high.
So loud they sang, and sweeter far,
That Samiel, wild outcast did hear,
And fearful evil took his soul, and raged within
Like burning mountain, in whose bowels heave
The surging waves of liquid fire. -
And he who first went forth downcast and sad,
Returned with burning malice full;
Then breathing vengeance 'gainst the pure and good,
And e'en the first Great Cause,
Samiel, in deadly hate returned.
'Tis he who hath been first so high,
Can downward sweep to lowest depths;
For little souls can only move through smaller space.
—324—
So Samiel came, his presence hid in simulated Smile,
And 'mid the cherubim went forth ;
His purpose dark, with vile intent surcharged,
To be not One alone Outcast.
For 'tis darker side of wrong that he who falls
Is not content to fall alone,
But seeks to have companions in his misery.
SCENE III.
Ariel, first born son of light, the chief of all the cherubim,
And forth he stood, and as he spake
A silence deep came over all the host.
ARIEL SPEAKS.
O archangelic spirits five, aud countless hosts,
Hear all. 'Tis fitting that ye sweetly sing,
And with sweet music, fill the wide expanse;
For He who formed us fair and pure,
Is meet to have our homage fair.
But not alone for praise were we create,
A purpose wise and great is under all;
A work to do, an end divinely grand to fill,
Hath shaped the being of ye all. [Ariel ceases speaking.]
So each expectant stood to further hear
The import of his words. And long he spake,
And told them of the first emotions of his being.
Then loud again rang forth the song of praise
Triumphant high, throughout the wide expanse.
Meanwhile, the fallen one, with dire intent,
Moved forth among the shining host,
And with his dark designs concealed behind
A Shining front, till full one third
Of all the shining train, went forth with him,
And sang, All praise to Samiel, great and Wise.
Then up arose, with sword of flame,
Michael, the valiant son of light,
And o'er the ramparts high of Heaven
Hurled forth the lost archangel and his throng.
Down, down they fall, in Swifter flight
Than ever sped the burning ray of light from pole to pole,
Like blazing star unto the darker mether world.
And as they speed their rapid fall, headlong
They plunge into gulf of latent fire.
—325—
SCENE IV.
SAMIEL IN PANDEMONIUM.
Then up arose the fallen one, so changed,
His form of grace divine turned into sable hue,
And for angelic pinions, dark rattling wings;
And as he rose, the sulphurous wave,
As by some impulse moved below,
High heaved, and lashed the caverned walls
In ceaseless fury, like some lost spirit, -
Beating 'gainst its cage in wild remorse.
So Samiel rose, and on a shapeless Crag
That lifted high its phantom head,
Took station, then loudly called
Unto his lost and fallen cherubim.
SAMIEL SPEAKS.
O hosts, that once were high and pure,
And 'mid celestial hosts high swelled
The note of praise, why rest ye here ©
Within the dungeon walls of utter woe?
'Tis but the fiat harsh of grim, remorseless justice;
Put we can still create a joy beyond our fate,
To bring still more to writhe and groan
Within this bed of anguish, and divide our fate.
[Samiel ceases.
Then up arose a shout that Smote
The farther bounds of that dark, seething pit;
A shout, of hellish malice fraught,
And rising high above the sullen roar
Of surging waves of fire, re-echoed through
The vault of dark perdition.
So Samiel deeply laid the scheme
To thwart the kind decrees of heaven,
And turn the steps of others to his fiery den.
But not within the realm of Paradise,
Could Samiel come—forever doomed to stay beyond
The farthest bound of that blest land.
—326–
SCENE V.
In the Gardens in Paradise.
O loved and blest employ of spirits blest,
To range the pure and boundless realm of heaven,
And join the choir of cherubim;
Such was the choice estate of those who faithful were,
Archangels six, and countless hosts of cherubim;
And as they mused and spake and converse held,
New depths of wisdom in their breasts unfold;
Justice is stern, severe, yet good;
Protection to the pure who do no wrong.
For he who hath infection in his soul
Doth charge his venom on the innocent,
If let remain in fellowship.
So Samiel and his host cast out,
Could do no farther wrong to Heaven's sons.
Heaven, O matchless land of peace and joy!
A wide expanse of verdure, bright and glorious.
And gold-paved streets, and crystal streams,
Suffused in mellow haze; and over all the light divine,
Effulgent with the great creative power—
Eternal honfe of spirits ever blest,
Thy light doth cast on earth's confines a hallowed glow;
Far, far beyond the stars most distant found,
Doth lie the home of blest futurity;
And sometimes, when the golden gates stand half ajar,
The fainting, earth-worn trav’ler sees its ray,
And joyous lifts his failing eye to see
The entrance to his grand, eternal home.
O far off land of Paradise! When mortal shores grow dim,
O let the fainting, weary feet find Safe abode
Within thy bounds of peace, eternal peace.
The great archangel spirits saw this scene,
Ariel, first born, and chief of Heaven’s host;
Michael, the valiant son of light;
And each, as silent stood, enraptured
With the grandeur of the sight,
Until, far off, a strain Seraphic, grand,
Of praise and love came from the host
Of cherubim, forth from the distant plain.
Hark! hear the notes of praise and joy.
—327—
SONG OF THE CHERUBIM.
Allelujah! Praise Him who formed us all.
Praise Him who formed archangels, seven,
Praise Him who made the cherubim,
And all the wide expanse of Heaven,
High over all, Eternal One,
Thy Presence fills the world above,
The universe Thy dwelling place,
O help us fill Thy courts with love.
CANTO III.
SCENE I.
Ariel standing in the sun looking at the newly created world.
O wondrous, grand, sublime and glorious Scene,
That meets the gaze of him who saw at first,
The rolling orbs of Heaven's celestial vault
March forth in grand and solemn tread,
Each in his own appointed bound.
Far, far beyond the utmost gaze of cherubim,
Or archangelic spirits, farther, farther still,
And yet no bound nor limit held,
To all the starry multitude of worlds.
So vast, so boundless was the Scene, 4.
That Ariel, mute, spell-bound, looked on;
And still he gazed, as other worlds
New formed, sped out before his raptured sight,
Till one he saw, rough, dark, forbidding,
Like the mether world of night.
Go forth, a whisper seemed to say, And see
The grandest part of great creation’s work.
So Ariel went, swift flying on he sped,
Nor stayed, till on a spectral peak,
Uplifted from the chaos dark below,
His feet did rest. Then round he cast
His gaze, bewildered by the scene he saw.
All writhing like tortuous tongues of lambent flame,
The seething vapors twined and hissed
In Wild confusion 'meath his feet,
—328—
'Twas earth—this rude uncouth turmoil
Of elemental masses crude, was Nature taking form
And shape, to better fit it for its use.
And lo, while yet he stood amazed
A thick’ning gloom came down apace;
The crag was hidden, and the wild scene
Was covered with the cloak of earth's first night.
O, solemn, dark and fearful sight—
To one who ever basked in that refulgent beam
Which lit the realm of Paradise. -
But fearless all, and filled with joy he stood,
For well he felt the Presence of the One who made
The night as well as day, and light refulgent beam.
So Ariel stood, expectant, calm and confident,
Till glimmering through the darkness grim
A new, a lovely light broke forth—
'Twas Earth’s first morning. And light material
Beam of Heaven's refulgent ray shone o'er the deep.
So Ariel gazed, and high above the mass
*Rose shores all well defined and clear;
And 'mid the parting mass, rolled floods
Of new formed water, meeting on the bound
Where shore and flood found each his place.
So fair, complete and clear each stood;
Yet wild, and wasted was the view;
High rounded rose the granite hills
From hither chaos; that the mind, absorbed,
Gazed spell-bound at the quick transform.
The clouds, that low above hung dark and grim,
Retreated shivering at the coming dawn;
Then upward springing from the deep,
Piercing the vap’rous clouds, and misty veil,
Arose the new-born sun, in splend’rous light;
And o'er the wave, like footfalls of the cherubim,
Sped the first zephyr of Creation’s morn.
Soon fled the clouds, mass after mass,
And o'er the wide waste of hill and wave
Curved the blue firmament of heaven.
Long Ariel stood, and gazed enwrapt,
To see the splendor of Earth’s second day.
And to the higher dome, with whispering lip
He raised a mute thanksgiving to the First Great Cause.
—329—
So rose the sun, high circling in the azure vault;
Then lower waned; then disappeared
Below the flood's most distant bound.
And lo, soon as his fiercer rays depart,
O, wond’rous sight! the blue expanse above
Was sprinkled o'er with countless hosts
Of dazzling globes, all worlds like this;
And soon another sun, full-orbed yet mild,
Arose in Splendor bright, to cheer
The glooming hours of Sullen night.
O, scene of Splendor, grand, sublime and vast,
That Ariel viewing, murmured oft a prayer,
Seeing still more of Wisdom, love and power,
In the handiwork of Him who formed it all.
But night wore on apace, and soon the dawn
Again came in the east, and soon the Sun
Resumed his ceaseless daily round.
Again the rapt archangel looked, and lo,
The hills and Vales Were COvered O'er
With grass, and herbs, and plants and trees.
The breeze, Soft murmuring through the groves,
Swayed back and forth their boughs,
As if the angels gently went between;
And seem’d voices whispering love and praise,
And back returned laden with soft perfume. .
O, beauteous sight, of grove, of tufted herb and grass.
But something seemed still lacking; life was not
As yet upon the scene. So patient stood
And much expectant, Ariel waiting yet another day.
Soon down behind the western hill, the sun
Slow sank, as loath to leave the wondrous scene;
Then might came down, cool, soft and still.
Again the firmament above resplendent shone
With glittering worlds, far, far beyond
The great archangel's wisest ken.
Again, in harmony Sublime, the twinkling host
Performed their mighty round. Then morning dawned,
And hark! What rapturous melody
The ear assails! The trees no longer mute
Nor void of life—The birds their first sweet song
Of happy praise and voice harmonious raise.
From spray to Spray on glittering wing
—330—
Like angels, speed in new created life.
So Ariel saw, with long unwearied gaze,
The lofty eagle's flight, the sea-bird's wheeling way;
And bright and beauteous birds of every kind,
All glorious pass before his gaze.
And down within the pearly wave
Disport in rude yet bright array,
The monsters of the briny flood. And fishes too,
Like things of nether air, yet beauteous all;
For all was fair, and bright and good.
So night again her curtain drew
Around the tired World, and hid the scene.
The grand and solemn march of worlds went on;
And Ariel, lifting up his chastened brow, exclaimed
O Father, wise and good, Omnipotent,
Thy works proclaim Thy being, and Thy name
Is written on Thy glorious works.
The fool alone is he that cannot see;
But yet, each day, a higher, better grade
Of beings brings. What shall I yet behold?
Again the rosy morn dispelled the gloomy shade
And earth was vocal with a myriad tongues
Of feathered songsters, warbling forth their praise.
But wondrous sight, of beasts and creeping things
The earth alive, of beautiful and brilliant things,
And monstrous too, yet all harmonious as at first;
And each went forth, and ranged the hills and vales,
In peace and quiet, none afraid of harm.
So, long he gazed, and did not tire to see
The Wonders Of the new created WOrld.
So passed the day, and night came on,
And in the ear Of Ariel Seemed a voice:
It said, Go, and all the host,
Archangels and the cherubim, bring forth,
And rest upon this place; and ye shall see
The purpose and the chief design of all this world.
Away sped Ariel, like the swiftest flight of thought,
Nor rested not until within the bound
Of Paradise he stood. Then leading forth
The train of heavenly spirits to the earth;
Then each expectant stood, in silent awe
To see the great and wondrous purpose that should be
The grandest Work of great Omnipotence.
—331—
Nor long they stood, until the east
Blushed with the rosy light of coming day,
And hill and grove burst forth in vocal praise,
And all the beasts disported on the verdure green,
While monsters of the deep, high heaved their mighty forms;
None mute or idle, all were full of life and praise.
The wondering angels gazed with rapture overcome,
At all the multitude of living things.
But soon a hush proclaimed the near approach
Of some event, momentous, wonderful and grand.
A voice seemed wispering in the wind,
Behold, O angels, cherubim, he comes, he comes.
Forth walked from out the grove, with port erect, sublime,
The only image of the Great First Cause, Man.
Man, in beauty transcendental, man, in form and mind
Like Him who did all create, pure, fair and good:
And nature seemed to bow around him,
All silent, hushed, and overcome with fear.
The heavenly host enraptured gaze,
The voice seemed murmuring in the breeze,
Behold the highest noblest work,
The lord of earth, the master of created things,
The image of the great Invisible One
E’en higher, grander than the cherubim,
Or the angel band of Heaven,
The reflex of the great Intelligence.
And then as if each tongue unloosed,
The angels, cherubim, and all the host,
Set up a grand triumphal song—
The stars all sang the music of the spheres,
And thus the heavenly host did sing.
SONG OF THE ARCHANGELS AND CHERUBIM.
All praise and all honor shall ever be given,
To Him who made all the earth and the heaven.
Who formed all the worlds that inhabit the skies,
From all living things let his praises arise.
We praise Thee O Father divine,
Omnipotent Maker of all,
We bow at Thy glorious throne,
In Thy presence let archangels fall;
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Amen.
—332—
CANTO IV.
Man in the Earthly Paradise Prepared for Him.
So man walked forth in new created life;
Upright and fair to see; well formed,
More beauteous far than cherubim;
Create for purpose wise, noblest work of Him
Who made the rolling worlds or shining host;
Fit chief and end of all creation’s varied maSS,
Though all was perfect in its kind, entire and good.
Forth went the host of Heaven on rapid Wing,
Until they reached the utmost bound
Of worlds create, and entered Paradise;
Save Ariel, lingering back. From world to world
On lightning wing he sped, obedient to the voice
That spake Within. And soon he saw approach
With mien erect and bright, yet haggard all and wild.
T'was Samiel seeking the home of man,
With purpose dark, and hellish malice full,
To blast the fair estate, and drag him down
To that dark pit from whence he came. -
Then covering up his foul design, with masked mien —
SAMIEL SPEAKS.
Whence lieth this new world, so pure and fair?
I too would view its pleasant vales and hills,
And see the being fair that thou hast seen.
ARIEL SPEAKS.
Hence, demon foull to thy dark vault return,
And howl and gnash in Speechless woe;
Nor let thy slimy trail mar that pure sphere,
Where innocence and beauty reign.
I pierce thy thin disguise, thy masked features dark,
And also see thy baser deep design—
Hence hence away — and with thy kindred lost,
Moan, groan, and Weep o'er all thy dark estate.
SAMIEL SPEAKS.
Ha! Spirit vain, conceited, proud,
Thou cowering slave, speaks’t so to me?
Hence 1 hence thyself, and learn that I
—333—
Am greater far for wrong, than thou for good.
- And hear Still more : Thy plauded man
Is formed with spirit free to choose between
The good and ill. And I will droop thy towering crest.
ARIEL.
I will not longer talk with thee. I do a wrong
To tarry here and hear thy idle words. [Departs.
SO Samiel Went from World to World
In dark and hideous flight; and shadows grim,
Seemed following in his ill starred wake,
So wild his dreary flight forboding woe,
Until by patient search, he found
The earth, and trod in ſlendish triumph there.
SCENE II.
HODRAEI THE MAN IN THIE IPARTHILY PARADISE.
Forth walked the man, with strength and grace replete,
And viewed the changing landscape, all amazed;
At length found tongue, and thus he spake.
HIO DRAII.
All fair and beauteous all I see,
The trees, the herbs, the birds, beasts, fishes, all;
And I new transports feel at each new scene.
'Tis not the fruit of blind and luckless chance,
No, no, there surely is a cause— -
I feel there is a cause; and in my breast
A new and rapturous feeling comes;
Hark! 'tis a Zephyr whispering 'mong the trees—
No, 'tis a voice, conversing with mime inmost soul,
And bids me raise my new born powers in praise.
Yet still a void I feel; beasts have their kind
And birds and fishes too; I am alone,
But happy and Sereme—Yet all alone.
My mind is dim, my senses faint,
On you Soft grass I rest, alonel [Falls asleep.
So man reposed, while angels guard 'round,
The slumber they could not have ;
And long he slept, and woke refreshed,
When lo, approaching, Was his other self—
—334—
So like, yet softer, gentler far than he.
Olah, the helpmeet, sweet and fair for man. d
With modest downcast mien she came,
And wondering, raptured, gazed at him.
HODRAH SPEAKS.
Who art thou, fair and gentle one?
How cam'st thou here? and wilt thou stay
To cheer the solitude of man?
OLAH SPEAKS.
O thou art he, whom I so long have sought,
Thy presence fills my mind with rapturous joy,
I can not, will not from thee stray. Olah Ceases.
So forth they went, hand joined in hand,
And 'mid the fragrant groves in pleasant converse strayed,
And all the vast array of living things,
With soft and gentle rapture viewed.
At length the sun low sank—went down—
And darknèss furled the slumbering world
In mantle soft; and o'er the firmament,
The glittering host of stars and worlds came out.
So all was dome—created all and blest. -
'Twas perfect, fair, and all harmonious.
And as the rolling Worlds Shone forth,
The high and shining host of spirits bright,
Looked down and saw the perfect world,
Broke forth in praise and hallelujahs loud,
To Him who made and kept it all.
SCENE III.
SAMIEL WALKING UP AND DOWN ON THE EARTH BY NIGHT.
So here I am at last, in this fair world;
The wild and seething pit is far away,
Yet, here I feel the tortures of a spirit lost;
My ears ring with the wailing shrieks
Of those that I brought thither too.
And I am bound, I feel the power
That formed these worlds, and soon must haste
Back to my den of dark despair.
But I will draw these beings down;
The thought inflames my mind. A demon's work;
Ariel hath truly said, I am a demon dark.
—335—
And all delight it is to me to fill
With spirits once so pure, the black abode of woe.
But I must now away, the morning soon
Will come to bind me here to earfh. (He goes.)
Away he sped, like spectral cloud, so dark,
So foul and dread, the very air seemed thick
With poisonous vapors as he passed; and beasts
Sat shivering in their dens, in nameless fear;
But man and woman, all unconscious slept
The Sweet and pure refreshing sleep of innocence,
Unmindful of the damning plot of Samiel.
CANTO V.
Archangels conversing together in the gardens of Paradise.
MINUEL SPEAKS.
What wondrous things we saw in yon created world—
The matchless power and wisdom there displayed.
The World, the sea, the trees, and living things,
And lastly, that fair being, who is fairer, wiser far
Than any of the angel host of heaven.
'Tis passing strange. Yet there is a cause therefor,
A hidden reason, grand and most sublime.
RAPHAEL SPEAKS.
Yes, ’tis passing strange. The being, wondrous fair,
Must be the image of the Great First Cause,
And We are not, but servants of that Cause;
All praise and glory to Him ever be.
ISRAFEL SPEAKS.
O archangelic spirits, wondrous fair,
'Tis in the image of the Great Invisible,
That this new being is create.
Create for purpose wondrous, glorious, grand,
To live, and glorify that beauteous world.
MICHAEL SPEAKS.
The Worlds and beings we have all beheld,
Create for good; Of this we feel assured.
—336— ”
And the creation doth honor much the more,
The Great Creator’s wondrous power.
GABRIEL SPEAKS.
He who did all these worlds and orbs create,
And with a glorious order people them,
Is He who hath from everlasting lived,
And through the countless future ever be.
Whose presence all the boundless universe
Doth fill with an omniscient here.
There is no other hand but His; no other power;
All, all are creatures of His handiwork.
ARIEL SPEAKS,
What more enraptured state than this,
Where we can see the mighty works,
And bask in that supremely grand
And mighty influence that hath formed the World.
SCENE II.
PANDEMONIUM.
So Samiel, in obedience to a power more great,
Resistless, all reluctant homeward sped;
Crossed the chaotic gulf that separates
The dark and noisome pit from fairer things;
And coming with relentless strides, and dark,
Thrice thundered at the ponderous gate.
It open swung, and in he strode
With fearful mien, the foulest fiend of all
That filled the dark abode of death.
SAMIEL SPEAKS,
Ho! all ye dark, lost, shrieking throng,
Cease, cease your futile groans and moans;
Come forth, and in infernal conclave hear
The tidings that I have to bring. [Samiel ceases.
So forth they came, that fallen fateful band,
And gathered 'round their chief, in vast amaze,
To hear the import of his words.
So woe begone, so dismal, and so foul
That ne'er was seen such retinue.
—337—
SAMIEL SPEAKS,
As late I passed the outer bound,
And left this woful land behind,
I came to a wide land of glorious light,
A crystal sea of ether bright and blue.
And swimming through this sea of outer air,
Were countless worlds of beauty most sublime,
Newly create, revolving in a mazy round.
And one most fair, of greater interest far,
The home of beings grandly pure and fair.
I went and saw all I have told;
'Tis true, for even demons to each must not lie.
And I have cheering news for all in here;
This being is created free to think and act
As seemeth best to him; save this alone,
He must not disobey the law divine.
I see a grand revenge. I'll make him disobey;
I’ll hurl him down into this nether pit;
I’ll burn his soul with black remorse,
And feed his vitals to this hellish host;
I’ll blast his fair estate and cast him down,
And fit companion for the lost and ruined make.
[Samiel ceases.
Then up arose from that dark conclave there,
A fiendish shout, more loud, more dread,
Than all the moans and shrieks and groans;
Then shook the gloomy prison walls,
And all the region seemed to quake again.
So Samuel, full of wild remorseful hate,
Went forth to perfect all his dark design.
SCENE III.
EARTH.
All lovely in its verdant youth
Lay the World, abode of man so fair.
The wide, wild sea, in polished perfect calm,
Stirred by the breeze, or torn by the hurricane;
A mirror vast in which the ether vault above,
Seemed bent in other sky below.
The land, with hills and valleys overspread,
The mountains vast, high towering to the skies,
—338—
And over all, the trees, the herb, the grass;
And roaming through the groves, or cleaving high
The air above, or sporting in the deep below,
The various creatures, glad and harmless, sported all.
All—all was peace and happy life;
Naught marred the quiet of the world;
And man, refreshed by peaceful slumber, woke,
Went forth in innocence, and plucked
The fruits, and ate in joy serene.
The zephyr played within the fragrant bowers;
A whisper seemed to float upon its wing.
Turn up thy thought, far, far above
Yon circling orb's most distant round:
Beyond the farthest bound of space,
To that bright home of Him who made the world.
Man felt the summons, and with joy divine,
Both turned them to the voice, and prayed
To Him who formed and kept them there.
High raised their morning song of praise,
And then Went forth to view the scene.
O, beauteous World! O, happy scenes of peace—
The bright abode of happy man.
HODRAEI SPEAKS.
O, being of myself! O, radiant one !
How doth the sight of thee new rapture make.
May this sweet converse ever last.
OLAFI SPEAKS.
Thou art my life and strength; I live for thee,
And cannot from thy presence stray.
HODRAH SPEAKS.
Thou heard'st the whispered voice, that on the breeze
Came to our ears in gentle accents mild—
'Tis He who merits all our praise;
And we shall yet a closer knowledge have.
And thus they walked in sweet communion there,
The happy parents of the human race.
—339—
SCENE IV.
ARIEL AND GABRIEL WALKING ON EARTH,
Forth through the balmy groves of earth,
Ere yet the day appeared to light the scene;
But yet the moon and stars a gentle radiance cast
'Round the archangels as they walked
To view the scene, and seek for man.
At length, within a beauteous bower,
Sunk in deep slumbers, locked in each other's arms,
Lay the bright beings which they sought.
And as the angels looked, a smile of peace
O’erspread the sleeping faces fair;
Their lips, too, stirred, as if a prayer
They murmured as they slept. Long, long they gazed,
In admiration rapt, and lost in Wonder too.
So 'round the couch the angels stood,
To guard the quiet rest of slumbering man,
And as they stood, they felt a presence near —
It came unconscious of the spirits bright—
'Twas Samiel — he who made a vow
To break the holy peace of man.
Ariel first saw the fiendish shape,
And with a holy indigmation full,
Thus unto the demon spake.
ARIEL SPEAKS.
Hence, away, thou foulest fiend of death,
Hide thy lost presence in thy slimy pit,
Is not thy present condemnation full P
Then why come here to mar this peaceful scene.
Away, nor come not hemce again;
Thou canst not harm these spirits undefiled.
SAMIEL SPEAKS.
Ha, know I thee, proud vaunter, thee
Well do I know; thou object slave,
Forever doomed to serve relentless power,
Throw off thy chains; come roam at will with me,
Nor be a cowering servant more.
'Tis better far to be a prince of night,
..Than servant of the brighter day.
—340—
ARIEL SPEAKS.
Foul demon of the lowest hell, avauntl
I know thy fate, thy home of punishment;
And seek's t thou to tempt me too,
To follow thee to never dying death?
Down, down, since thou art far beyond recall
Of mercy, or of relenting justice — far;
Go back, nor seek to drag another down
To share with thee the pit thy deeds prepared.
- [Ariel ceases.
And as he spake, the demon changed,
From the angelic form he wore, to that foul Shape
He wore in pandemonium dark.
And swelling with infernal rage, he cast
A flaming dart full at the head,
Of Ariel; but he stepped aside,
And the foul weapon spent its force in air;
And darker, fiercer grew the form
Of Samiel, filled with malice full.
Then from the upper space there came
AS Seemed a hand, and flaming SWOrd,
And smote the demon to the earth.
Then seemed a whisper floating on the breeze;
Low, soft, yet full of dread import:
Back to the place from Whence thou comest,
And know that thou art powerless all for ill,
|Unless this new created man shall disobey.
Then Samiel, cowering low, yet dark
With deadly hate and malice full,
Strode, mute, away yet casting back
Foul looks of dark design and woe.
Then the archangels in communion sweet,
Watched o'er the couch where man slept on,
Unconscious of the fierce encounter there.
Soon day appeared, and rose the Sun,
And man, awakened by his light arose;
And gazing 'round, the two archangels saw;
Filled with amaze and wonder, at the sight,
Man looked and asked, who art thou, speak
Ye Shining beings, are ye too, sons of light?
—341—
ARIEL SPEAKS,
We are the servants of the power that formed
The earth, the sun, and all the orbs above;
And all archangels and the host of cherubim.
We come to greet thee, and to hold
Sweet converse with thee, and to warn
Thee of a dark and fearful fiend of ill.
Thy peace is sure, so long as thou dost keep
The law thou did'st receive at first;
But breaking that, ye then shall fall
Into the power of him who is outcast.
RAPHAEL SPEAKS.
All joy and peace to him who keeps the law;
Death and ruin unto all who disobey.
And mark you well, this power of ill Will come,
But heed him not, he cannot do thee hurt,
Unless thou first shall give him leave.
ARIEL SPEAKS.
Forget not in thy musings, Him who made
The great immensity of worlds and orbs,
And brought thee here to honor Him. [Ariel ceases.
So long they talked, and man was fain
To learn of all the glories of the universe.
At length the spirits left the earth,
And upward soared to that bright sphere
Of changeless beauty ever fair.
O! land of light, of joy unspeakable,
O! home of beings ever bright,
Far, far above the rolling Orbs and suns,
There is thy pure and happy clime.
When weary, faint with toil and care,
And feeling faint upon our way,
Then open Swings the Shining portals there,
And we can dimly see thy glories through.
Home of the pure, land of the blest,
Long we to enter thy hallowed rest.
Free from all care, free from all pain,
Never more faint or weary again.
—342—
So man was formed in image pure, divine,
Reflex being of the Greater One above.
Bright, pure and happy in his earthly state,
Endowed with power to reproduce his kind,
And to enjoy a happy life of love;
With reason God-like, and more great
Than that of angels or of cherubim.
Would he had abode in that pure state
In which he was create, and ever be
The son of light, of truth, of life divine.
Thus was the first of human kind,
Hodrah, the perfect man, create
From the great essence Infinite,
For purpose wise, and pure and good.
O, matchless power; O, matchless love,
To so endow a feeble Worm of earth
With such a grand and glorious destiny.
The earth, too, proves a workmanship divine,
With changing seas and mighty tempest roar,
Of birds, of fishes, beasts and all.
All prove design, each fills his place
By due appointment; all harmonious were.
And higher yet, throughout the boundless realm
Of space infinite, roll the countless worlds,
All peopled by a bright and happy race.
O, mighty multitude of suns and stars,
Roll on in harmony divine;
The least, the dimest of that train,
In language grand proclaims a Cause.
So saw the archangelic host,
In grand array, Shine forth the worlds;
Treading the vast extent of space
In march majestic, rolling ever on.
A deep and holy awe pervades the host,
And raising high their sweet celestial song,
Enraptured music ringing through the dome
Of Paradise on high.
ASongs of the Archangels and the Cherubim.
Enthroned on high, high over all,
Thou who from everlasting art,
Thou dost inhabit all the bound
—343—
Of boundless space. Eternal One,
That formed the grand unnumbered host
Of worlds that swim through all the vault
Of Thy created firmament.
We praise Thee for creative power;
We bless Thee for Thy boundless love;
We love Thee for Thy watchful care,
And all Thy attributes divine.
Through all the vast domain,
From bound to bound, that hath no end,
Throughout the universe around,
Thou, Thou alone art only God.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah. Amen.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
Now it came to pass that when Hermaida, the queen
of Persia, heard the poem of Manos read, she gave
command that it be written in the history of the king-
dom of Persia, and it was done. But the poem is not
all written in this book, but will be all revealed here-
after.
Now all the days of Hermaida, the queen of Persia,
was seventy and six; and fifty-six years did she sit on
the throne of Persia, and died, leaving neither sons
nor daughters; for she never knew man.
And the brother’s son of the queen reigned in her
stead. His name was Cyrus, and he reigned in a wise
and humane manner; so that all the works which Her-
maida began was completed by Cyrus; and the nation
prospered exceedingly. -
The land of Gehalehmot was, as we have heard,
overrun by Aklan, the wicked king of Persia; and
after this the people trafficked no more, only so much
as was necessary. So it came to pass that the people
had no more dealings with the nations of the earth,
and the kings of Aegyptus forgot the land, for a new
dynasty of kings reigned over the land. Nevertheless,
when the kings searched the histories, they found the
good deeds of the people of the land of Gehalehmot.
After that land was spoiled by Aklan, the king of
Persia, Kinaroth was governor in the land, and he set
344
—345—
all things in order, and builded up that which was bro-
ken down, and restored the prosperity of the land as
far as possible.
So Kinaroth was governor of the land and ruled over
the people for thirty-eight years. And he founded the
house of Kinaroth, which were cunning workmen; and
of this house was afterwards Kinar, in the one hundred
and sixty-fifth age thereafter. -
Now the house of Kinaroth could no man enter save
the first-born of each generation thereof. And the
fathers learned their sons, and the knowledge thereof
gradually increased, until at last the whole was placed
in a book, and sealed up until such time as it should
be revealed in the latter days. It so happened that at
the birth of Kinar, the cunning workman, he was last
of his race, and he never had son or daughter; but
upon his death a new order was established by him,
so that like contingency should never occur again.
Thus was formed the temple and the priests of Kinar,
as hath been related in this book.
So Kinaroth was governor in the land; and the peo-
ple waxed prosperous, and forgot the calamity brought
about by the wicked king of Persia. But the people
increased not to any great degree. -
So Kinaroth died, and Azmon reigned as governor
in his room. In the four and twentieth year of the
reign of Azmon, on a certain day, as the men wrought
in the fields, and the women span in the houses, behold
the Sun was darkened for the space of a quarter of an
hour, and it was on the fourth hour of the morning;
and the people were greatly alarmed and fled in haste
unto their houses; and afterward they would not re-
turn to their labor, until Azmon, the governor, having
—316—
asked of the sons of Kinaroth, sent forth proclamation
saying: Fear not, what ye have seen is nothing out of
the ordinary course of things, but happeneth from time
to time, in accordance with the rule of the stars of
heaven. So the people were assured and every one
returned in peace unto his labor.
So Azmon reigned forty-one years and died. And
after him did Sathur rule the people; and Sathur was
a good man, but not of the wisest ; and the people did
live in peace and quietness during the reign of sixty
and four governors after Sathur. And the history
thereof would be of exceeding great interest, but it will
not be expedient to write it all in this book, as it would
be too great.
So in the latter times did Bastinor rule as governor,
and there was a man of the younger sons of the house
of Kinaroth, who was a just man; and he had three
sons; the elder was named Yohak, the younger Obo,
the other Sartus. Now Yohak had an only son named
Altus; and Altus had a son named Kaiah, who was
afterwards the governor, and the first king of the peo-
ple.
And Obo had a son named Mathurus; and Mathu-
rus had a son named Alion ; and Alion was the father
of Algoonah.
And Yohak was an huntsman, and delighted to seek
the beasts of the forest, and he was slain in the forest
by a wild beast.
Now the ancestors of Algoonah were of the ancient
order of the land of Gehalehmot; and his father Alion,
was one of the minor judges of the people, who sat at
the gates of the city, and settled disputes that arose
among them.
—347—
So Bastinor reigned for thirty years, and died; and
after him was Kaiah chosen ; and Kaiah was nineteen
years old when he began to reign.
Now Kaiah was of short stature, and of a gentle dis-
position, and all the people loved him and respected
him. Now in the twentieth year of the reign of Kaiah,
was there war in the land of Assyria; for Ramases,
king of Aegyptus, came up to war against him, be-
cause the king of Assyria compelled the merchants of
Aegyptns to pay tribute unto the land of Assyria as
they passed through.
Is not the history of this war been written? And the
acts of the king Merodach are all set forth.
CHAPTER XL.
So there was prosperity and peace throughout all the
land of Mezzinaroth, for the people possessed the land,
and greatly improved it, even from the great river, up
and down the land, for the space of a thousand and
more furlongs. .
In the province of Jeshurim, in the province of Bia-
riah, in the province of Gonath, in the province of
Mestus, in the province of Tervan, in the province of
Osurus, and in the province of Albanus, was there
peace and quietness among the people; and the num-
ber of the people was twenty seven hundred thousand,
men, women and children; their substance also, was
very great, for the land brought forth in her abund-
ance; and there was no lack of anything. -
And Algoonah called unto Jeboran, saying, Send
forth proclamation immediately, and gather together
all the heads of the people, into this the great city; and
bring them from every land, and from every province,
for I would speak with them.
Therefore, did Jeboran sent forth proclamation as
his father directed, unto every province, and the gov-
ernors thereof. -
And all the chief men journeyed unto the city of
Algoonah. And in the seventh month of the year,
while the time of harvest was on the land, did
348
—349—
they congregate within the city, to the number of
sixty and four thousand choice men; and it was signi-
fied unto Algoonah, saying, That the people congre-
gate on the shore of the great river, for there was no
temple nor house on earth large enough to hold them.
And Algoonah was brought, and sat upon a throne
in the midst of the people, and his strength was much
departed by reason of age, so that he could hardly
speak unto them. But Algoonah looked upon the
people, and his heart enkindled within him, and the
strength of life returned unto him, so that he
beckoned with his hand unto the people, and immedi-
ately the herald blew the golden trumpet, and there
was silence in all the vast multitude.
And after there was silence, Algoonah lifted up his
voice strong and clear, and spake unto the people, say-
ing:
Hearken, O ye people, and give ear, O ye men of
Kaiah. You are as no nation on earth, for the wonder-
ful manner in which ye have been brought hither.
These one hundred and thirty years have I sojourned
on earth, and all the days of my life have passed as a
morning hour that tarrieth not, but speedeth quickly
away. Yet have I seen this people, now strong and
mighty, driven forth from the possessions of their fath-
ers, given them by the great and good Hykos, king of
Aegyptus; and I have seen them abide in the land of
Mozman during the life of the most excellent Amarah,
and they found no abiding place there, for the wicked
young king, Aristoblah, drave them forth, and we
came forth, not knowing whither we would rest with
our wives and little ones. Then came we into the land
of Katharia, and journeyed for the space of three
—350—
years through that land and abode not there, for we
distrusted the people thereof. &
So we lived on the islands given us by the great king
for a season, until the days of the good Osurus; who
went forth and explored this land and brought us thither.
Now, ye all see the prosperity of this land; how that
from a wilderness it hath been reclaimed and made to
flourish and bring forth abundantly; and there is great
peace throughout all this land, for every man agreeth
to live peaceably with his neighbor. O, that it might
thus continue, then would the grandeur of your influ-
ence as a people widen and extend unto the latest
generation. O, my people, cultivate a peaceable spirit
and it will be thus. Do not let one province or one
part of the country set itself against any other part,
and all this wide land shall be subdued and inhabited
by you, and your strength shall be as the strength of
of one man. And there can be no nation so powerful
as to drive you thence. But the glory and honor of
nations shall be upon you. O, my people, cultivate a
spirit of wisdom and seek after knowledge; for wisdom
is the strength of a nation, and there is nothing that
abideth like wisdom. Strength faileth and life passeth
away like the mists of the morning, but wisdom endur-
eth forever.
I beseech you to read well the histories of the great
and good men who have lived in our nation, and espe-
cially to consider well the life and deeds of the noble
Kaiah, for he is well worthy of your honor. Lo, I
knew him from the days of my youth unto the strength
of my manhood, and there was no evil in him, but he
was as a father unto all men.
Also the life of Kinar, the cunning workman, is one
—351—
of honor and good. Although the purpose of his life
hath been dark and mysterious, and he was not famil-
iar unto the people; yet was he one of the most useful
men of our people; and the fame of his works will go
down to the latest days. I would also speak of Biariah,
Osurus and Jeshurim, whom many of you have seen;
these were all good men and worthy examples for you
to follow, for they all wrought that which was right
and just, and did no evil, but good in their generation,
and were full of truth and wisdom.
So as Algoonah spake, the spirit of futurity came
over him, and he said: -
Lo, I see a nation renowned and great, and they
Spread from one end of the land even unto the other;
and the workmanship of their hands shall tell their his-
tory unto another nation, who shall abide in this land;
and this other nation shall be mighty and strong and
shall stand forever; for their government shall be
founded on the everlasting principles of truth and
justice.
And as I look and see that the men of Kaiah have
dwindled down to a weak and outcast remnant, my
mind is filled with sorrow ; but there shall arise in the
latter days, people who shall hold to the principle that
the world is the heritage of man, and that justice shall
prevail in those latter times. Then shall the people
who inhabit this land look forth and see the work of
the hands of the people of Kaiah, and shall wonder
exceedingly, until such time as the matter shall be
made plain. .
O, my people ! Algoonah goeth forth and cometh
not back, for he shall lie down and rise no more for-
ever. The length of years is upon me, and I go down
—352 —
to the long sleep from which there is no awakening.
I have loved the people, and have spent my life for
them.
You shall hear the voice of Algoonah no more.
Farewell, all my people.
So when Algoonah had ceased speaking, there arose
a great lamentation among the people, for they saw
that the strength of life had departed from him. And
Algoonah called the patriarch of the people, and the
men of the temple of Kinar; and they poured oil out
before Jeboran, and he was made king in presence of
all the people.
And they carried Algoonah into his chamber, and
laid him upon his bed; and he lay with all his strength
departed, and spake not for the space of two days.
Then he called Jeboran, his son, unto him, and said:
Unto thee this day cometh the whole government of
this people, for I go the way of all men. I pray thee
bury my body beside the great river, and place a monu-
ment thereon ; not to glorify myself, but to show unto
all nations, through all coming time, the life of one
who was devoted unto his people. I pray thee to re-
member the injunctions of your father, and be a father
unto this people, as I have been a father unto thee.
And as Algoonah spake, his mind wandered, and
they thought him dead; but he turned and looked upon
Jeboran and died. And Jeboran fell upon him and
wept bitterly.
And the word went forth, and there was great la-
mentations all over the city. And Erech sent forth
for Jerboran, and made proclamation throughout all the
land of Mezzinaroth ; and there was deep mourning
for the king Algoonah for the space of fifty days. And
-—353—
the people did no work, neither cast yokes upon the
beasts of burden, until the days of mourning were
past.
And they laid Algoonah in a coffin of gold, and there
were seven score maidens went forth before the body
of Algoonah ; and he was carried to his burial amidst
the lamentations and tears of the people. And Jebo-
ran raised a monument of fine stone, forty and eight
cubits high, and engraved with letters of brass the vir-
tues and greatness of Algoonah.
And it was made a law among the people, that in
every year should the people mourn and fast on the
day in which Algoonah died.
Thus passed away the man who loved his fellows,
and doeth good continually. -
So among all nations and all kindreds was there
never a king whose memory has been treasured up like
that of Algoonah ; and the good influence of his noble
life shall be felt among the nations until the earth
shall be no more.
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