We have Hosea's nephew in the snare, and it will be your part not to let him escape." "Do you mean that we are to deprive him of his liberty ?" cried the warrior.
"Even so." "Yet you value his uncle ?" "Certainly.

But the state has a higher claim." "This boy...." "Is a desirable hostage.

Hosea's sword was an extremely useful tool to us; but if the hand that guides it is directed by the man whose power ever greater things we know...." "You mean the Hebrew, Mesu ?" "Then Hosea will deal us wounds as deep as those he erst inflicted on our foes." "Yet I have heard you say more than once that he was incapable of perjury." "And so I say still, he has given wonderful proof of it to-day.

Merely for the sake of being released from his oath, he thrust his head into the crocodile's jaws.

But though the son of Nun is a lion, he will find his master in Mesu.