But still the king did not
come; indeed, it was not until Sakon had despatched another messenger,
saying that he was about to return to the city, that at length Ithobal
appeared at the head of a bodyguard of black troops. Arranging these
in line in front of the camp, he came forward, attended by twelve or
fourteen counsellors and generals, all of them unarmed. Half-way between
his own line and that of the Phoenicians, but out of bowshot of either,
he halted.
Thereon Sakon, accompanied by a similar number of priests and nobles,
among whom were Aziel and Metem, all of them also unarmed, except for
the knives in their girdles, marched out to meet him. Their escort they
left drawn up upon the hillside.
"Let us to business, King," said Sakon, when the formal words of
salutation had passed. "We have waited long upon your pleasure, and
already troops move out from the city to learn what has befallen us."
"Do they then fear that I should ambush ambassadors?" asked Ithobal
hotly. "For the rest, is it not right that servants should bide at the
door of their king till it is his pleasure to open?"
"I know not what they fear," answered Sakon, "but at least we fear
nothing, for we are too many," and he glanced at his soldiers, a
thousand strong, upon the hillside. "Nor are the citizens of Zimboe the
servants of any man unless he be the king of Tyre."
"That we shall put to proof, Sakon," said Ithobal; "but say, what does
the Jew with you?" and he pointed to Aziel.
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