At least, I will try it; should the plan fail--then you can pay the price of her pride with your blood, prince Aziel." "That I would do gladly," answered Aziel, "but oh! what a cross-bred hound you are who thus can seek to torture the heart of a helpless woman! Have you then no manhood that you can stoop to such a coward's plot ?" "Fool! it is because of my manhood that I do stoop to it," said Ithobal angrily.

"Doubtless you think that a mad fancy and naught else drives me to the deed, but it is not so, although in truth my heart--like yours--chooses this woman to be my wife and none other.

That fondness I might conquer, but look you, of all things living this lady alone has dared to cross my will, so that to-day even the sentries on their rounds and the savage women in the kraals tell each other of how Ithobal, the great king of an hundred tribes, has been baffled and mocked at by a girl who despises him because his blood is not all white.

Thus I am become a laughing-stock, and therefore I will win her, cost me what it may." "And I, king Ithobal, tell you that you will not win her--no, not if you torture me to death before her eyes." "That we shall see," said the king with a sneer.

Then he called to his guard and added, "Let this man and his companions be taken to the place prepared for them." Now Aziel was dragged from the tent and thrust into a wooden cage, such as were used for carrying slaves and women from place to place upon the backs of camels.