If we land, they land, and only the gods know whether they might not beat us in fight, and themselves survive to carry back the tale of Tyre's secret island to enrich their own miserable land.

Shall this be ?' 'Never!' cried the half-dozen men near him.

The slaves were rowing hard below and could not hear his words.
The Egyptian leaped upon him; suddenly, fiercely, as a wild beast leaps.
'Give me back my Amulet,' he cried, and caught at the charm.

The chain that held it snapped, and it lay in the Priest's hand.
Pheles laughed, standing balanced to the leap of the ship that answered the oarstroke.
'This is no time for charms and mummeries,' he said.

'We've lived like men, and we'll die like gentlemen for the honour and glory of Tyre, our splendid city.