The armorer of Tyre

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Chapter I. The Armorer, And The Prince

T AKE we now our readers to ancient Island Tyre, the home of merchant princes — so long the “ Queen of the Sea,” and the depot of wealth, power, and splendor. The small island upon which it stood contained the bone and sinew that oft and again resisted the myriad hosts of ambitious conquerors. The first city of Tyre had been built upon the coast of Phoenicia; but when it was besieged by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, the inhabitants, after withstanding a siege of thirteen years, removed to the small island opposite, where they built the new city, which soon rivalled the former in magnificence. In process of time, however, the island was connected with the main land, and the peninsula thus formed is its geographical position at the present time.

Here it was, upon this island, that the great Alexander, with his mighty avalanche of Macedonian steel, was stayed for over half a year in his blood-stained course. Its buildings, towering even higher toward heaven than those of Rome — its temples and its colossal statues of brass and Parian marble, its extensive bazaars, glittering with the

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untold riches of the East, and scented by the rarest spices of Arabia, its harbors filled with ships, all, all speak to us of a grandeur rarely excelled in the annals of the world.

Mapen sat upon the throne of Tyre. He had assisted the weak-brained, haughty Xerxes in his magnificent failure in Greece, and he had returned to his sea-girt city with a morose and jealous disposition, which, added to the tyranny he had ever exercised, made him generally detested by his subjects; but yet he felt his throne firm beneath him, for the wealth of the city was in his interests.

It was late in the afternoon. Hear the northern wall of the city stood a rough, yet stout dwelling, the front apartment of which was occupied as the workshop of an artisan. Within said apartment were a forge and anvils, together with the numerous other appurtenances and fixtures necessary for the working of various metals. Within the fire that burned upon the forge lay a large plate of iron, and near by, with his arms folded across his breast, stood a middle-aged man engaged in watching the heated metal, while a small boy was working the rudely constructed bellows that gave force to the heat.

The man was large in stature, stout and powerful in his build, with his arms, neck and breast fairly worked into ridges by the iron muscles that dwelt and labored there. His neck was short and thick, and his head was covered by a mass of short, curly, black hair. His dress was simple in the extreme, consisting of a sort of linen swathing passed several times about his loins and th.e lower part of his breast, and then over the left shoulder, thus leaving his right shoulder and arm and the upper part of his breast entirely bare. Erom this depended a short woollen skirt, reaching to the knees, beneath which appeared a pair of goat-skin tights and sandals.

Such was Gio, the Armorer of Tyre. That he was not a Tyrian by birth, his very appearance would at once indicate; but whence he came none knew. Yet none more than he possessed the love of the people, nor was there a man in

Gio preventing the search for Marina. — page 9

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the city who would have been more missed. Humble artisan as he was, the nobles depended upon him for their best weapons, and no one ever passed his shop, when he was at work, without bestowing upon him more than ordinary interest. Some people whispered strange stories about the stout armorer, and a few even went so far as to say that he had superhuman power bestowed upon him by Hercules; but such tales and whisperings were vague and dreamy, though, perhaps, in some instances, if we consider the superstition of the times, they were not without foundation.

The artisan, however, took little notice of these things, but with a purpose that lay deep within his own bosom he followed steadily on in the path he had chosen, paying no attention to what did not concern him.

Gio watched the iron with a practiced eye, and at length he drew it forth, and laying it upon a slightly concave anvil he began to fashion it into a breastplate. His blows fell quick and heavy, and ere long it fitted the wooden model that lay by his side. A bright smile passed over his open countenance as he saw how well he had calculated upon the capacity of the heat to which he had subjected his metal, and turning to his boy, he said, as he laid the plate upon a bench: —

“ There, Abal, let the fire go out for to-night, and prepare this plate for the polish. ”

“ Whose is it, sir ? ” asked the boy, as he let go the brake of the bellows and stepped forward.

“ ’Tis for Strato.”

u The young merchant? ”

“ Yes.”

“ So I thought.”

“ Then why did you ask ? ” returned Gio, who seemed by his manner to allow his boy unbounded liberty.

“ Because I thought ’twas strange he should want one.”

“ All honest men in Tyre may need them ere long.”

“ I see not why.”

“ Then wait for experience. That is the surest teacher.”

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Gio spoke this last remark in a sort of gruff tone, and Abal turned to the work to which he had been appointed. Twice he seemed upon the point of asking another question, but the stem frown that had settled down upon the brow of the stout armorer kept him silent. The boy, however, did not go on with his work; for hardly had he turned to do so, when both he and his master were startled by the sudden entrance of a fleeing girl. Her long hair was floating over her shoulders, her dress was dusty and disordered, and her features were pale with terror.

“ Oh! ” she uttered, as she clasped her hands in agony, “ save me, sir! Whoever you be, save me! ”

“How? From whom?” asked Gio, seeming struck, not only by the suddenness of the affair, but also by the remarkable beauty of the applicant.

“ From my enemies! ”

“ And can one like you have enemies in our good city of Tyre ? ” uttered the armorer, lying his broad palm upon the brow of the girl.

“ Yes. Oh, speak not further, but hide me! ” cried she, as she cast her eyes fearfully behind her. “ I am an innocent girl— indeed I am. Save me from the murderer of my father! ”

“ Who is he — thy father ? ”

“He was Kison Ludim.”

“How, by the great god Hercules!” shouted Gio, “I know who thou art, and who it is that seeks thee. Here, Abal, lead the lady to my daughter’s chamber. Quick! ”

The boy opened a small door that led out from the back of the shop, and as the girl darted through he closed and bolted it behind him, and in a moment more their steps were heard upon the stone staircase beyond.

Gio smote his bronzed fist upon his breast, and a half uttered curse rested upon his lips, while the frown that had beclouded his face upon the speech of his boy now grew to a fearful blackness. Half a dozen steps had he taken towards the front of the shop, when the clatter of feet upon

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the pavement struck upon his ear, and ere many moments half a dozen men, headed by Prince Phalis, the son of the king, entered.

“ Did not a female enter here a few moments since ? ” hastily asked Phalis, almost out of breath.

“ My daughter, prince,” returned Gio.

“ Beshrew thy daughter. ’Tis another I seek, and she entered here.”

“ None that you can have occasion for. All beneath my roof are such as belong here.”

“ Now out upon thee, canting slave!” cried the exasperated prince. “ Where are thy chambers ? ”

“ They are beyond thy reach,” returned the armorer, and his eyes flashed as he spoke. “ I am a citizen of Tyre, and my chambers are sacred.”

“ Dost know who I am ? ”

“ Ay; a son of him whom we call king.”

“ Then pass me to your inner dwelling, for search your house I will.”

“ You cannot.”

“Now, by thy gods, no man dare beard me thus. Ha! boy, whence comest thou ? ”

“ Prom my room,” answered Abal, who had at that moment entered, and who deliberately closed the door behind him.

“ And what left you behind ? ”

“My master’s household,” quickly answered Abal, not at all moved by the savage manner of the prince.

“ The old viper and the young,” ground out Phalis, between his clenched teeth. “ Follow me, my men, and ere we leave the place we’ll pull it down about their ears but we find the girl, for death be my master if I did not see her enter here. Come on.”

“ Back! ” thundered Gio, as he caught a ponderous sledge that stood against his anvil and raised it above his head. “ Back, I say. The king may come and search, and so may those officers who are justly authorized; but even though you

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be a prince, and the son of our king, yet you pass not by force to the sanctuary of my home. Back I ”

“ Hear the slave talk,” cried the prince; and yet he quailed before that uplifted weapon. “ I am an officer, and second only to the king. Let me pass, or our swords shall find homes in your heart I ”

The armorer smiled a dark, grim smile, but he spoke not, nor did he move.

“ Yile reptile, let me pass,” exclaimed the prince again, pointing his sword before him, and advancing a step. “ Dare to strike, and ere the sun shall rise on to-morrow, your head shall leave your body.”

“ And who shall do it ? ”

“The executioner.”

“ By whose authority ? ” u The king’s.”

“ Beware! ” uttered Gio, with a strange emphasis. “ Look to it, my prince, that you drag not your father into broils with the people. Strange scenes may follow if you do. How tell me whom you seek ? ”

“ One who hath — But I’ll hold no converse further with thee. Back yourself, dog, or die I Theodoric, strike the babbler down! ”

It was a stout soldier whom the prince thus addressed, and one who held some favor with the king. Gio knew it, but yet he shrank not as the man came nearer.

“ Theodoric, beware! ” fell from the armorer’s lips as the soldier approached.

“ Beware yourself,” returned the hot-headed soldier; and as he spoke he sprang madly forward and made a furious lunge at the stout armorer.

The dark eyes of Gio flashed a single spark, and then his sledge descended upon the steel cap of his opponent. The bright metal sank beneath the blow, and the stout soldier fell without a groan. He was dead! Prince Phalis gazed for a moment upon the fallen man — a slight tremor moved his frame, and a pallor overspread his features.

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“ Prince,” said Gio, in a deep, meaning tone, “ that blow was for the defence of my home. If needs be, I can strike another.”

“ By all the powers of Pluto,” exclaimed Phalis, as he shook his bright sword above his head, “ thy death shall follow this. On now, my men, and run him through. I will be the first.”

The armorer started back, and again he swung his ponderous weapon for its death stroke. The soldiers quailed, and the prince himself dared not advance.

“ See, royal prince— -the rabble are collecting about my door,” uttered Gio. “ If you be wise you will order your men to take this body upon their shoulders and bear him off. Beware how you trample upon the rights of the people.”

“ Come, come, prince,” urged one of the soldiers, as he plucked Phalis by the sleeve; u we must stay here no longer. The girl cannot leave the city, and as for this fellow, he shall be arrested on the morrow. See — the rabble increases, and anger rankles among them.”

“ Then go we now,” said the prince, at length; “ but ” — he turned to Gio as he spoke — “ you’d better be a creeping thing among the vipers of some crumbling ruin than be what now thou art, for thy dwelling shall be razed to its foundations, and thyself be put to a torturing death. Pollath and Byzantho, bear you the body to the nearest station. The rest will follow me.”

The prince trembled with rage while he spoke, and though he had gone so far for the attainment of the object he had in view, yet, for reasons which will be explained hereafter, he dared not now prosecute it further; so, after having seen the body of Theodoric borne from the place, he departed.

The crowd who had collected outside now came rushing into the artisan’s shop; but Gio evaded all their inquiries; and at length, by dint of persuasion, combined with a few threats, he cleared them out and closed his doors.

For some moments after the armorer was left alone with his boy, he stood in profound meditation. His huge fists

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were clutched together like the jaws of his own vice, and the muscles in his arms and neck worked as though they would have broken from their confinement. At length he started up from his reverie, and bringing his right fist upon his breast with sledge like power, he growled forth to himself: —

“ O Mapen, I would not sit upon your throne for the diadem of Persia. The wickedness of thyself and the lords shall ere long crush thee. There is a dark cloud gatheriug above your heads, and when its fury breaks upon Tyre the night shall be blacker than when the direful hosts of Nebuchadnezzar drove destruction through the ancient city and forced her people upon this island. Beware, oh, king! for even the meanest of thy subjects can feel like other men.” “Gio,” said the boy, gazing with awe upon the form of his master, “ shall we not flee from this place ? ”

“ And wherefore ? ”

“ The king — the prince.”

“ They dare not molest me or mine. Phalis may threaten, but a citizen’s house is made sacred by our laws, and nought but a crime may subject me to even the intrusion of a civil posse. The prince led armed men upon me and I resisted. Let them do what they dare! ”

“ But may not she whom they pursued be a criminal ? ” asked Abal, in a modest tone.

“ No, boy,” answered Gio, with a strange emotion. “ That girl, weak and helpless as she seems, bears a charm upon her person that pales even a king. I dare go — But never mind; attend you now to the work I gave you, and I will seek the lady.”

Abal gazed after his master as he passed through the small door, and a half puzzled and half fearful expression rested upon his countenance as he commenced his work.

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Chapter II. The Flight

Within one of the chambers of Gio, pale and trembling, sat Marina, the daughter of Kison Ludim. She was a beautiful creature, tall and graceful, with the golden hair and blue eyes of her countrywomen, and sortie nineteen years had given their stamp of maturity to her woman’s form and features. By her side, and gaziug upon her with respectful deference, stood Esther, the only daughter of the armorer. They had heard the sound of contending voices, and the slight rattling of steel, but for a time all had been silent, and Marina feared the worst. A heavy footfall was heard from the passage — it ascended the steps. The fugitive turned more pale, and grasped the rude bench upon which she ^at as though she would not be torn from it.

“ Fear not,” said Esther, noticing the manner of the poor girl. “ That’s my father’s step.”

And so it proved, for in a moment more Gio entered the apartment.

“ Have they gone ? ” cried Marina, as she started up from her seat.

“ Yes, they have,” returned Gio, gazing with fond respect upon her who had sought his protection. u You came opportunely to one who feared not your pursuers.”

“ Oh, the gods be thanked!” murmured the fair girl. u And did you deny that I was here, good Gio ? ”

“ I denied them nothing, save the entrance to my dwelling. One I killed — the rest went away.”

“ Killed one! Then you too are undone,” replied Marina. “ Kay, fair daughter, I am not yet undone. But tell me — where did the prince attack you, and how ? ”

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“ In my own dwelling,” returned Marina. “ Over an hour ago he called at my door and was admitted by the servants. He sent for me, and I obeyed his summons, thinking that if violence were offered me my people would protect me. He asked me to accompany him to his father’s palace, which I of course refused to do.”

“ And why did you refuse ? ” asked Gio.

“ Because the king had murdered my father, and I feared he meditated evil against me.” u Thy father may not be murdered.”

“ How! Hot murdered! ” uttered Marina.

“ He may be, and he may not be. The king gave out that he died a natural death.”

“ But we saw not his body. If he meant not to murder him, then why did he drag him from his home ? ”

“ The king had his own reasons for that,” returned Gio, in a hopeful mood; “ and perhaps he has murdered him; but I think your father would, for the present, be of more service to Mapen alive than dead. At all events, I will give you this piece of advice: Should you ever fall into the hands of the king, let not the belief in your father’s death influence you in giving way to his commands, neither let any threats of his move you to compliance.”

“ Oh, sir! what thing is this you have in your mind? Do you — do you think my father lives ? ”

“ I cannot say that I think Kison Ludim is living; but what I have said has been only given for the purpose I have stated — to warn you against surrendering to Mapen through such a fear. But tell me, did the prince use force in your dwelling ? ”

“ Yes. When I refused to accompany him he called upon the soldiers he had outside, and as they rushed in my servants shrank away; then they seized me, and throwing a thick veil over my head, so that none might recognize me, they led me forth. When once in the street, I walked passively along till I came to the square next beyond here, and then, with all the strength I could command, I broke away

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from my conductors and darted towards your shop. I knew if any one would succor me ’twould be the friend of Strato, for Slrato's own house was too far off.”

“ You were right,” returned Gio, with a sparkling eye; “ but when you first entered I did not know you. However, you will be safe here till nightfall, and then I must seek for you a safer retreat. Young Strato shall know of your whereabouts.”

At the mention of that name the rich blood flowed freely to the face of Marina, and for a moment her eyes were bent to the floor; but she soon looked up, and while a tear gathered in her eye, she said: —

“ The gods will reward you for this, but I fear you will suffer.”

“ Ho, not so long as I can protect you. Were you once well within the power of the king I might then fall; but fear not for me. I will save you, because I know that Strato loves you and that you are his affianced bride. I love Strato, and thus will I serve him.”

“ But the king will surely send for you.”

“ Then let him send.”

“ And he will force you to give me up.”

“ He cannot.”

“ He may punish you for your disobedience with death.” “ He dare not — at least, so long as 1 can keep you safely from him.”

“But what is this mystery, Gio? What strange charm has thus been thrown around my person, that both the king and prince should think so much of securing me, and that even you rest your life upon the same possession ? ” inquired Marina.

“I do not rest my life solely upon that,” replied Gio, betraying an evident desire to evade the direct question, u for I might be liberally rewarded for delivering you up. You need not tremble, for so long as I can hold you, you have nothing to fear. Now, Esther,” continued the armorer, turning to his daughter, “go you and prepare

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dresses for a disguise, both for yourself and Marina; for ere long we must set out, and you shall not only accompany her, but for the present, at least, you shall remain with her. I know of a place where you may both remain in safety. In the meantime, I will go and make such preparations as I can. Be speedy now, for the veil of night will soon be down upon our streets, and I would start ere the king’s messengers can come upon us.”

As Gio spoke he left the apartment, and in a moment more Esther went away to do her father’s bidding, leaving Marina once more alone.

. About a month previous to the opening of our tale Kison Ludim, an old noble of Tyre, had been sent by the king on business to Sidon, since which time he had not been seen by his friends. Mapen had given out that the old man had been lost at sea, and though none could contradict the statement, yet a few of the people felt sure that the king had some cause of fear in connection with the missing noble, so that, even had, such a catastrophe actually transpired, some thought that his death had been brought about by premeditation on the king’s part. What the king could have had against the old noble few could comprehend, and even those few, if we except Gio, the king, and Prince Phalis, knew not the secret, though they did know one thing; they knew that the king had asked of Kison Ludim the hand of his daughter for the prince, and that that request had been denied to the monarch, simply for the reason that Marina had already been solemnly affianced to young Strato. The king was of course angry at this peremptory refusal of his royal wish, and ere long the presumptuous father of the wished-for maiden was sent on his mission to Sidon; from which mission he had not returned.

In the meantime, the fair Marina had been left unmolested in charge of her father’s house and servants, and not until the present time had any demonstration on the part of the king in favor of his project been made; but now, he would gain by force what he had failed to obtain by persuasion,

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At length night fell down upon the city, and Esther arrayed Marina and herself in the garbs of fisher girls, while Gio, attired as a rough boatman, and wearing a heavy sword concealed beneath his frock, led the way out from his dwelling by way of the roof, and passing along under the shade of the high brick parapets of the neighboring buildings, the party kept on till they reached a flight of stone steps that led down against the northern wall of the city.

“Here you must remain for a few moments,” said Gio, “ while I go down and see if the way is clear. Keep low behind this small turret till I return.”

“ You will not be gone long ? ” urged Marina, in a trembling tone, while she pulled her dress more closely about her, as she felt the cool breeze that came sweeping up the sea. “ No. The small harbor is only a few steps from here.” “ What ? And do you mean to take me from the city ? ” asked the fair fugitive, in some surprise.

“Most certainly,” returned Gio. “There is surely no safety for you here. Do you hesitate ? ”

It was some moments before Marina answered. She bent her head in thought, and seemed troubled.

“ It seems hard that I should have to flee the city,” she at length murmured. “ I who have done no one wrong.”

“ Ay, it is hard, lady; but it is nevertheless necessary.”

“ Why — oh, why must I leave my father’s house ? Who will take care of his property ? ”

“ Would you go back to your father’s house now ? ”

“ No, no; not now. But”

“ But what ? ” said the armorer, as the girl hesitated.

“ Alas, sir, I hardly know I I would seek safety, but must I do it thus ? 99

“ If you go with me, I will swear that you shall be safe; but to remain in the city would be dangerous.”

“ But the prince may give over his persecution.”

“ He will not, lady.”

“ Why should he seek to make me his wife ? He cannot have seen me to love me, and both he and t\ 3 king know

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that I am already affianced. Indeed, his very conduct to-day is proof that he bears me no love.”

“ Marina,” returned Gio, in a somewhat anxious manner, “ we cannot remain long here to parley; but of three things let me assure you: First, the prince will seek your hand, even though it be at the risk of his life, and no means will he leave untried to reach that end. Second, if you remain in the city he will certainly find you, and when he seeks you again, he will do it with a posse of officers who may not be resisted. Third, if you go with me, you shall be safe, and Strato shall know of your whereabouts.” u I will go — I will go,” quickly returned Marina. “ But tell me of one thing more; how long shall I have to stay ? ” A fierce fire glowed in the eyes of the powerful armorer, and his hands were clutched with nervous life. With an instinctive movement he cast his glance about over the towering turrets and spires of the city — then a dark smile passed over his features, and in a hushed, premonitory tone, he uttered: —

“ Not long; perhaps till the waning of another moon — perhaps longer; but when you do return, you shall be safe. Remain here now till I return.”

As Gio spoke he turned away and descended the steps. Marina watched him till he turned the angle of the building, and then she laid her head upon Esther’s bosom.

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Chapter III. The Pursuit And The Seaside Conflict

For nearly half an hour the two girls remained alone upon the house-top where their conductor had left them. A few stars glittered in the heavens, but they hardly had power to relieve the darkness that dwelt over the scene, though for all that the eye could reach to some distance over the gently swelling bosom of the Mediterranean. The air was laden with a heavy dew, and as Marina shrank beneath the chill moisture she began to be alarmed at the protracted absence of Gio.

u Fear not,” urged Esther, as she felt the hand of her companion tremble; “ my father will surely return.” u But why does he stay so long ? ” u Perhaps he finds it difficult to procure a boat.”

“ But may he not find it difficult to obtain a pass out from the city ? ” suggested Marina, with a shudder.

u No, that cannot be, for no citizen can be stopped, except by special edict.”

“ But your father is in disguise.”

“ It makes no difference,” returned Esther, drawing her arm more closely about the form of her companion; “ either as a fisherman of the coast or as a Tyrian citizen he can pass. But hark! What noise is that below ? ” u Oh, the gods protect us! ”

“ It comes from my father’s house,” uttered Esther. u Then we are lost! We are pursued! ” ejaculated Marina. Esther placed her hand upon the parapet and looked over into the space below. Nothing but the opposite w all and the stairs were to be seen. The sounds that had arrested her attention, as she listened more carefully, indeed came from