CHAPTER XXXVIII
MENA REVEALS A SECRET
On the night after the slaughter of the heralds, the galleys sent toCarthage returned with a courteous message that it would be impossiblefor the colony to send assistance. Ambassadors who had been despatchedto other Ph[oe]nician towns, demanding aid, were equally unsuccessful.Tyre must stand or fall alone. Her brood turned its back upon her.
This indifference created a disagreeable feeling in the city. The joyover the destruction of the Macedonian works was transformed intouneasiness. Instead of abandoning the siege, the army of Alexander hadbegun a new mole, twice as wide as the first, and so directed that thewash of the waves, which before had been a serious obstacle, wasrendered harmless. It was apparent that the young king intended tokeep his word.
Several of the inhabitants of the city reported that in dreams they hadseen the great bronze image of Melkarth rise from its seat in histemple and stretch its hands over the walls toward the Macedonian camp,calling upon Alexander to enter. There was a consultation of thepriests. The enormous statue was bound with chains to the pillars ofthe temple and huge spikes were driven through its feet into the floor.Nevertheless, the Tyrians were apprehensive and spoke of Melkarth as"the Alexandrine." The ominous words of the herald, Galas, when hedeclared that the Gods of Tyre would desert her, were remembered andrepeated. The people began to think that perhaps they had gone too far.
Time failed to remove this impression. The new mole continued toadvance, and one hazy afternoon the watchmen on the walls caught sightof a fleet of warships approaching from the north. The flag of Sidonfluttered from their masts and the beleaguered city concluded that atlast reinforcements had been sent. But instead of entering theSidonian Harbor, the vessels sheered off and came to anchor in front ofthe Macedonian camp.
The gloom of the city deepened when Enylus, king of Byblos, andGerostratus, king of Adradus, added their fleets to that of Sidon. Allthree were Ph[oe]nician cities. Rhodes sent ten ships and Cyprus lateradded one hundred and twenty, under command of Prytagoras.
For every Tyrian ship, Alexander now had three; and among them werevessels of the largest size, some with four banks of oars and some evenwith five. They were manned by sailors of Ph[oe]nician stock, whoseskill upon the water equalled that of the Tyrians themselves. As soonas the fleet had gathered, it sailed in battle order toward the mouthof the Sidonian Harbor, from which the Tyrian navy came out to meet it.But when Azemilcus saw the overwhelming force opposed to him, his heartfailed, and he gave the order to retreat into the harbor, the entranceof which he caused to be blocked with huge chains behind which weremoored as many Tyrian vessels as would lie in the passage side by side.
Tyre was no longer mistress of the sea. She stood forsaken amid thewaters, gray and deserted, like a lioness in her last refuge,encompassed by the hunters. The mole crept ever nearer to the wall,and Macedonian captains, cruising around the city, gazed hungrily atthe battlements.
The inhabitants understood that nothing but a miracle could save thecity. They turned to their Gods. In ancient times they had neverfailed in the observance of their worship, but as they waxed strong andgained knowledge of the world, scepticism had found a lodgement intheir hearts. The ceremonials had been neglected by many who eitherdid not believe or had grown careless. The offerings diminished. Morethan once the sacrifice of the first-born to Baal-Moloch had beenomitted. The worship of Astoreth, it is true, had been maintained; butit was clear that the Goddess was not powerful enough to rescue them.Baal was angry and must be propitiated.
Phradates became more and more downcast and sullen as misfortunegathered about the city. The cruelty that was a part of hisPh[oe]nician heritage rose to the surface. His slaves were lashed forthe slightest fault, or even for no fault at all. Some of them heordered put to death. Terror filled the great house, with its spaciousrooms hung with embroideries, beautiful with paintings and statues, itsrare glass, and its treasures of gold and of amber.
One evening, when a languid southern breeze stirred the silkencurtains, the young Ph[oe]nician entered the apartments occupied byArtemisia and Thais. Artemisia sat by the window, gazing at thebrilliant stars that seemed so near and yet so immeasurably far away.The two young women had been talking of Chares and Clearchus; but asilence had fallen between them. Thais lay on a couch of cedar,burying her fingers in the thick fur of a Persian cat, which purredwith half-shut eyes under her caress.
Phradates threw himself into a chair in an attitude of weariness anddejection. Thais shot a glance at him and went on stroking the cat.
"Do you believe in the Gods?" the young man asked.
"Artemisia does," Thais replied lazily, with a tantalizing smile.
"Why?" Phradates demanded, turning to the younger sister.
Artemisia turned her eyes wonderingly upon his troubled face.
"I cannot tell you," she replied slowly, as though searching for areason. "I have always believed in them and I have passed through manydangers unharmed. I think Artemis has protected me, for I love her. Ihave no fear, since I am in her hands."
"We do not worship her," Phradates said. "With us, the moon belongs toAstoreth, who is the same as your Aphrodite, and she has lost herpower."
"Are you sure of that?" Thais asked.
The young man looked at her and his expression changed.
"I am sure of nothing," he said thickly.
"Except?" Thais suggested, looking into his eyes and leaning forward onher arm so that the necklace of pearls slid across her bosom, halfrevealed under the folds of her robe.
"Except that I love you!" he responded.
Thais fell back upon her cushions and began again to stroke the cat.
"You should not insult the Goddess," she said.
"By Melkarth, I think you are she!" Phradates cried.
"Perhaps," she admitted, smiling and nodding her head.
Phradates stared at her for a moment as though he half believed it, andthen, rising abruptly, left the room. His brain seemed obscured. Hecould think of nothing but his love for her. The emotion thatpossessed him mastered every faculty, and even the approaching ruin ofthe city seemed trivial in comparison with it. Yet there was his oath!
At the door of his chamber he encountered Mena.
"Master, the council is sitting," the Egyptian said.
"What is that to me?" Phradates replied harshly.
"They have decided to offer sacrifice to Baal-Moloch," Mena continued,following him into the apartment.
"They should have thought of that before," said Phradates. "Where willthey find children now fit for an offering? They have all been sent toCarthage. No wonder Moloch is angry."
"This has been considered by the council," Mena continued. "Esmun, thechief priest, has told them that there are still enough of thefirst-born left among the Jews, who, as you know, refused to send theirfamilies away."
"But the Jews will not give them as a willing sacrifice, and withoutthat it will be of no avail," Phradates replied impatiently. "Why doyou tell me all this?"
"The council intends to find means of forcing them to make thesacrifice willingly," Mena persisted; "but Esmun declares that thiswill not be enough to calm the God. Baal demands a virgin of noblebirth to be given to him before he will aid the city."
Phradates laughed. "Where do they expect to find her?" he askedscornfully.
"She must be pure and beautiful," Mena continued. "It is announcedthat he who will bring such an offering will do the city a greatservice."
"What do you mean? Speak out, dog!" Phradates exclaimed, catching anundertone of significance in the Egyptian's voice.
"Thou hast such a maiden," the slave said hesitatingly.
"Thais!" the young man cried. "Never. The city may perish first!Have you dared to suggest this?"
He drew his dagger and made a step toward Mena, who cowered before himwith hand uplifted.
"No, no; not Thais," he hastened to say. "Think, master, ho
w could shemeet the conditions? Not Thais!"
Phradates paused with the dagger still in his hand.
"Wait until you have heard me?" the slave continued, in a whiningvoice. "It was not Thais, but the Athenian maiden, who was in mythoughts."
"No!" Phradates thundered; "does not Thais love her as her own sister?"
"Consider for a moment," Mena urged insinuatingly, watching the youngman's face with cunning eyes. "Hast thou not been generous towardthese captives?"
"What of that?" the Tyrian asked.
"And they have betrayed thee by entrapping thee into an oath," Menasaid. "I would not have thee break it; but what will not the LadyAstoreth grant to him who saves her shrine from pollution anddestruction? She will release thee from thy vow."
He paused to note the effect of his words. Phradates remained silentand thoughtful.
"It is not for me, a slave, to tell thee what thou shouldst do," Menawent on, "but it has seemed to me that there has lately been a spellupon thy mind. Thou art not now what thou wast a month ago. What thecause is and what must be the cure, thou knowest; but thou art bound bythy oath."
Again he paused, but as Phradates showed no sign of resentment, hecontinued.
"Master, thou canst not win thy wager," he said. "Tyre is lost. Itmay be next week, and it may not be until next year; but the Macedonianis too deeply engaged here to withdraw. There is no hope exceptingthrough the Gods alone, who might send a pestilence upon our enemies ifthey so willed it. Thou knowest that the battering rams are poundingupon the wall, and that they have already weakened it. On the southernside it cannot stand much longer unless something happens to put an endto the attack. Obtain release from thy vow before it is too late. Ourtime may be short."
Phradates shuddered and covered his face with his hands.
"I think Thais really loves thee," the Egyptian continued artfully."It is the presence of the other that restrains her, because she isashamed to show her love before her. If Artemisia were away, she wouldgrieve, it is true, but she would recover. It is not needful that thoushouldst give her up. The priests take whom they will for sacrifice.Thou mightest even defend her, which would commend thee to Thais andearn her gratitude."
"Get thee gone!" Phradates shouted, suddenly springing to his feet.
Mena fled noiselessly down the stairs and out of the house. Once inthe street, he clapped his hands together and laughed.
"I will show them what it is to insult Mena!" he cried.
He made his way through the narrow streets and across the canal to thesouthern part of the city, beyond the Temple of Baal. The slow andregular beat of the great rams, at work upon the massive wall, throbbedin the air. Mena plunged into a network of lanes, in which the houseshad a meaner look than in the quarter he had left behind. He proceededcautiously, halting from time to time as though he feared that he mightbe followed. Finally, under the shadow of the wall, he reached a lowhouse within which lights were burning. He pushed open the door andentered. The room in which he found himself was filled with men, youngand old, who sat at tables upon which stood flagons of red wine. Someof the company were engaged in earnest discussion across the tables.In one corner a sea captain was relating the strange adventures of adistant voyage. Elsewhere men exchanged jests and laughter over theirwine. While the occupants of the room bore a general resemblance infeature to the Ph[oe]nicians, a glance was sufficient to show that theywere not of Ph[oe]nician blood, and the language they spoke was Hebrew.
There was a momentary hush when Mena appeared, but apparently he wasknown, for the interrupted talk immediately flowed on again. A man ofmiddle age, whose black, crisp beard was streaked with gray, cameforward to welcome the Egyptian.
"Which wine will you have to-night?" he asked, conducting him to atable where already a younger man was sitting.
"The wine of Cyprus," Mena cried. "You are as gay here to-night,Simon, as though there were no such place in the world as Macedon."
Simon shrugged his shoulders. "Would our tears mend the walls?" heasked. "What is to be, will be."
He went to fetch the wine, and Mena turned to his companion at thetable.
"Where have you been, Joel?" he asked. "I have not seen you for aweek. One would say that you had been on shore, if it were possible toget there."
He directed his shrewd glance at the young man. Joel laughed, and hisdark eyes rested upon those of the Egyptian. He had an easydistinction of manner, acquired at the court of Darius. After theescape of Nathan, Chares, and Clearchus, his company had marched withthe Great King; but it had been detailed to help guard the women andthe treasure left behind at Damascus while the army went on todestruction at Issus. After the defeat, he visited Jerusalem and thencame to Tyre, where he had relatives.
"What would you give to know where I have been?" he demanded mockingly.
"Perhaps I know already," the cunning Egyptian replied. "Why is itthat the Jews are so indifferent to the siege? Why do they expect toescape the sword or the slave-market when the walls fall? Tell methat."
Simon returned with the wine, which he set before Mena. While the Jewsknew him to be a slave, they did not disdain to associate with him,because his influence over Phradates was so great that he was a bondmanonly in name. Besides, he had more than once given them information ofvalue, and they were not accustomed to neglect any means of defence.
Joel paused and seemed to reflect before he answered.
"Perhaps it is because we are under the protection of Jehovah," hereplied at last. "If He does not save us, nothing can."
"Bah!" Mena exclaimed. "Perhaps He can save your first-born fromBaal-Moloch!"
"What do you mean?" Joel returned quickly.
"I thought you Jews knew everything," the Egyptian said. "Have you notheard what Esmun told the council? He has warned them that nothing buta sacrifice can save the city, and the council has authorized it.Where can they find children excepting here?"
"Is this true?" Joel demanded.
"It is true!" Mena declared.
Joel rose from the table and whispered to Simon, who ran to the chiefpriest. Messengers were sent to verify the news. They broughtconfirmation and the additional intelligence that the sacrifice wouldtake place on the second day. Meantime Joel had returned to his place,where Mena, as usual, had begun to grow garrulous with his wine.
"You know those two Greek girls my fool of a master holds in hishouse?" he asked.
"What are they called--Thais and Artemisia? You told me of them," Joelresponded. "What of them?"
"Thais promised to have me flayed alive," Mena remarked.
"Well?" the young Hebrew said.
"So I am going to have Artemisia included in the sacrifice to Moloch,"the slave said coolly.
Joel started but instantly restrained himself.
"What has that to do with Thais' promise?" he asked.
"Thais loves her," Mena explained. "No doubt she will be glad to seeher in Moloch's arms!"
"How did you manage it?" Joel inquired carelessly.
"Why, I told you of the oath that Thais got from Phradates," Mena said."Well, I have convinced him that the only way in which he can win Thaisand at the same time obtain release from his oath is by havingArtemisia burned."
The Egyptian laughed at his own cleverness. Joel sat making rings onthe table with the foot of his wine-glass.
"And what do you think?" Mena continued, recovering himself. "The foolthreatened to stab me for it. But he'll do it, never fear. There is along score between him and me. Unless I am mistaken, the time is athand when we shall have the reckoning. There is one house in Tyrewhere the Macedonians, when they come, will get little plunder. Comethen to Memphis, and you will find Mena, with slaves of his own--and Iwould not be surprised if Thais was among them. Flayed alive, indeed!"
"Let us have wine!" Joel cried, making an almost imperceptible sign toSimon that meant the substitution of a stronger vintage. The wine wasbrought, glowing like liquid
amber in the flagon. In half an hour Menawas incoherently trying to explain that he knew the Jews were incorrespondence with Alexander's camp, although he could not tell how,and begging Joel not to forget him when the city fell. A littlelonger, and two servants carried him to the house of Phradates.