Say, who will lay down a life for the honour of the goddess, and that her regent in this land may be saved alive ?" Now--for all this scene had been carefully prepared--a woman stepped forward, wearing the robe of a priestess, who bore in her arms a drugged and sleeping child.
"I, father," she cried in a shrill, hard voice, though her lips trembled as she spoke.

"Let the goddess take this child, the first-fruit of my body, that our mother the Lady Baaltis may be cured of her sickness, and that I, her daughter, may be blessed by the goddess, and through me, all we who worship her." And she held out the little victim towards him.
The Shadid stretched out his arms to take it, but he never did take it, for at that moment appeared upon the platform the tall and bearded figure of Issachar clad in his white robes.
"Hold!" he cried in a loud, clear voice, "and touch not the innocent child.

Spawn of Satan, would you do murder to appease the devils whom you worship?
Well shall they repay you, people of Zimboe.

Oh! mine eyes are open and I see," he went on, shaking his thin arms above his head in a prophetic frenzy.

"I see the sword of the true God, and it flames above this city of idolaters and abominations.