Know that for this service I am minded to settle my account with you in a fashion of which you have not thought.

Have you heard, Phoenician, that the chiefs of certain of my tribes love to decorate their spear-shafts with the hide of white men, and to bray their flesh into a medicine which gives courage to its eater ?" With this pleasing and suggestive query Ithobal paused, and looked towards the door of the tent as though he were about to call his guard.
Now Metem's blood ran cold, for he knew that this royal savage was not one who uttered idle threats.

Yet the coolness and cunning which had so often served him well did not fail him in his need.
"I have heard that your people have strange customs," he answered with a laugh, "but I think that even a spear-shaft would scarcely gain beauty from my wrinkled hide, and if anything, the eating of my flesh would make tradesmen and not warriors of your chiefs.

Well, let the jest pass, and listen.

King, in all my schemings one thought never crossed my mind, namely, that you were a man to suffer scruples to stand between you and the woman you would win.