"She will soon change her tune on the gateway, master, where the nights
are cold and the day is hot for those who have neither cloaks for their
backs nor water for their stomachs. Come on, Blue Eyes, but first give
me that necklet of pearls, which may serve to buy a bit of bread or a
drink of wine," and he thrust his filthy hand into her breast.
Next instant a sword flashed in the red light of the evening to fall
full on the ruffian's skull, and down he went dead or dying.
"Brute," said Caleb with an angry snarl, "go to seek bread and wine in
Gehenna. The maid is doomed to death, not to be plundered by such as
you. Come forward."
The companions of the fallen man stared at him. Then one laughed, for
death was too common a sight to excite pity or surprise, and said:
"He was ever a greedy fellow. Let us hope that he has gone where there
is more to eat."
Then, preceded by Caleb, they marched through the long cloisters, passed
an inner door, turned down more cloisters on the right, and, following
the base of the great wall, came to its beautiful centre gate, Nicanor,
that was adorned with gold and silver, and stood between the Court of
Women and the Court of Israel. Over this gateway was a square building,
fifty feet or more in height, containing store chambers and places where
the priests kept their instruments of music.
Pages:
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316