sat waiting within this barge, and guarding it were two Grecian soldiers, who commanded us to halt.
This boat awaits King Tenes,
said one of them and none else may enter it.
I am the Queen,
answered Beltis.
With whom I hear the King has quarrelled,
broke in the Greek with a sneer. Queen or no, Lady, you cannot enter that boat without the King, or an order under his signet.
Then I held up my hand, saying,
Here is the signet itself. Let us pass.
He stared at it by the light of the lamp, then said something to the other Greek and very doubtfully they obeyed. It was certain that these guards standing in that vaulted place did not know what was passing in the city. Moreover, I think it had come into their minds to rob us, or worse. At the least this is sure, that unless we could have killed those two Greeks, without the signet never should we have won to the boat.
We went on twelve paces or so and reached the barge, which was manned with sailors who wore the uniform of the King's bodyguard, men who knew the Queen and saluted her by raising their oars. Beltis motioned first to me and afterward to the Jew who had been our guide from the palace, to enter the barge, then suddenly she said to the steersman who commanded the sailors,
Go now whither this lady shall direct you, and know that if harm comes to her your lives shall pay the price of it, for she is no woman, but a goddess whom Death obeys.
Now I stared at her and asked,
Do you not come also, Queen Beltis?
Nay,
she whispered. I choose another road to safety. Fear not for me, I will tell you all when
