"But what would ye do if Assar attacked you really?"
Hiram shook his head with anger.
"What? We should go on board of ships with our families and treasures and leave to those dogs the ruins of cities and the rotting corpses of slaves. Do we not know greater and more beautiful countries than Phoenicia, where we can begin a new and richer fatherland?"
"May the gods guard us from such a thing," said Dagon.
"This is just the question, to save the present Phoenicia from destruction," said Hiram. "And thou, Dagon, art able to do much in this matter."
"What can I do?"
"Thou mayst learn from the priests whether Beroes met them, and whether he and they made an agreement."
"A terribly difficult thing," whispered Dagon. "But I may find a priest who will tell me."
"Thou canst prevent at the court of the pharaoh a treaty with Sargon," continued Hiram.
"It is very difficult. I could not do that unassisted."