Page 14 (1/2)

News of the appearance of the plague in the house of Costobarus

traveled fast after the death of the gardener, who had fallen in the

open and in sight of the watchful inhabitants of Ascalon So by the

time the house servants of the merchant were made aware of their peril

by the death of one of their own nue of affection and loyalty stood on the threshold of the

guest-chamber informed of the situation and prepared to help Hannah,

supported by the Tyrian's assurance of her rescue and protection,

succeeded in urging Costobarus and Laodice not to delay for her to the

peril of the thrice precious daughter

So with his house yet ringing with the first convulsion of terror

Costobarus ordered his party with all haste to the camels

Keturah, Laodice's handmaiden, had fainted with terror and was carried

parcel-wise over the great arm of Momus, the mute, out into the street

and deposited summarily on the floor of Laodice's bamboo howdah The

camel-driver, Hiram, seemed only a little less stupefied than she The

as an uplifted gad,

drove him from the shelter of a dark corner out to his place on the

neck of his master's camel Aquila, the emissary, showed the

ie of the

Ro his horse

when the rest of the party were in their places, headed the procession

toward the northeast