[Queen Sheba’s Ring by H. Rider Haggard]@TWC D-Link book
Queen Sheba’s Ring

CHAPTER XIII
13/22

It is even probably, Adams, that you and I may come to a miserable end, solely because of this young man's erotic tendencies.
Just fancy neglecting business in order to run after a pretty, round-faced Jewess, that is if she _is_ a Jewess, which I doubt, as the blood must have got considerably mixed by now, and the first Queen of Sheba, if she ever existed, was an Ethiopian.

As a friend almost old enough to be his father, I shall speak to him very seriously." "All right," I called after him as he hobbled off to take his bath, "only if you are wise, you won't speak to Maqueda, for she might misinterpret your motives if you go on staring at her as you did yesterday." That morning I was summoned to see the Prince Joshua and dress his wounds, which, although not of a serious nature, were very painful.

The moment that I entered the man's presence I noticed a change in his face.
Like the rest of us I had always set this fellow down as a mere poltroon and windbag, a blower of his own trumpet, as Oliver had called him.

Now I got an insight into his real nature which showed me that although he might be these things and worse, he was also a very determined and dangerous person, animated by ambitions which he meant to satisfy at all hazards.
When I had done what I could for him and told him that in my opinion he had no ill results to fear from his hurts, since the thick clothes he was wearing at the time had probably cleaned the lion's paws of any poison that might have been on them, he said, "Physician, I desire private words with you." I bowed, and he went on: "The Child of Kings, hereditary ruler of this land, somewhat against the advice of her Council, has thought fit to employ you and your Gentile companions in order that by your skill and certain arts of which you are masters you may damage its ancient enemies, the Fung, and in reward has promised to pay you well should you succeed in your endeavours.

Now, I wish you to understand that though you think yourselves great men, and may for aught I know be great in your own country, here you are but servants like any other mercenaries whom it may please us to hire." His tone was so offensive that, though it might have been wiser to keep silent, I could not help interrupting him.
"You use hard words, Prince," I said; "let me then explain what is the real pay for which we work and undergo some risks.


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