Why have we been brought here ?" "The lady Elissa sits behind the bars of yonder tomb whence her view of all that happens upon this mount must be very good indeed," answered Metem with meaning.

"Now, can you guess why you were brought here, prince Aziel." "Is it that she may witness our sufferings under torment ?" he asked.
Metem nodded.
"How will they deal with us, Metem ?" "Wait and see," he answered sadly.
As he spoke Ithobal himself appeared followed by certain evil-looking savages.

Having greeted Metem courteously he turned to the Hebrew soldiers in the cages and asked them which of their number was most prepared to die.
"I, Ithobal, who am their leader," said Aziel.
"No, Prince," replied Ithobal with a cruel smile, "your time is not yet.
Look, there is a man who has been wounded; to put him out of his pain will be a kindness.

Slaves, bear that Jew to the edge of the rock, and--as the prince will wish to study a new mode of death--bring his cage also." The order was obeyed, Aziel being set down upon the very verge of the cliff.

Close to him a spur of granite jutted out twenty feet or so from the edge.