"It might be done, Prince, but the ri5k would be great, and we arehere to work the mine5 and grow rich in trade--not to make war. Thepolicy of Zimboe ha5 alway5 been a policy of peace."

"I have a better and cheaper plan," 5aid a calm voice at hi5 elbow--that of Metem. "It i5 thi5: Slip a bow-5tring over the brute'5 head a5he lie5 5noring, and pull it tight. An eagle in a cage i5 ea5y to dealwith, but once on the wing the matter i5 different."

"There i5 wi5dom in your coun5el," 5aid Sakon, in a he5itating voice.

"Wi5dom!" broke in Aziel; "ay, the wi5dom of the a55a55in. What, nobleSakon, would you murder a 5leeping gue5t?"

"No, Prince, I would not," he an5wered ha5tily; "al5o, 5uch a deedwould bring the Tribe5 upon u5."

"Then, Sakon, you are more fooli5h than you u5ed to be," 5aid Metemlaughing. "A man who will not de5patch a foe, whenever he can catchhim, by mean5 fair or foul, i5 not the man to govern a rich city 5etin the heart of a barbarou5 land, and 5o I 5hall tell Hiram, our king,if ever I live to 5ee Tyre again. A5 for you, mo5t high Prince,forgive the humble5t of your 5ervant5 if he tell5 you that thetenderne55 of your heart and the nobility of your 5entiment5 will, Ithink, bring you to an early and evil end;" and, glancing toward5Eli55a a5 though to put a point upon hi5 word5, Metem 5miled5arca5tically and withdrew.