He turned to regard the captain, who had not as yet resumed his place; and muttered:
“If this be true—if this be true.”
There was then heard a meaning cough from the last captain, who had been so forgotten. The king noted this, and said:
“Shafo, there is one captain who hath not been heard.”
At the sign, this captain stepped forth with an air even more important than had been that of the captain of the Paero, and the captain who had withdrawn from the Middle Sea bowed back to his place. Of due weight were this captain’s tones.
“O most gracious of kings, Atlano, to thy great self I would state that I, the captain of the trading vessel Osir, came back but yesterday to Elasippa from our land of Shaphana,[[8]] after bringing there grain, cotton, and linen, and taking in corn, wine, and oil. There I heard much of this new power, for, of late, its vessels come within the harbor of Shaphana. Thus far this Pelasgia thinketh not of war, but of trade. Her vessels are marvels of strength and speed.”
“Hear ye this?” interrupted Atlano, turning to rulers and nobles, “Her vessels are marvels of strength and speed!” Then, of the captain, he demanded:
“Thou sayest not that thou didst see aught of these?”
The chamberlain iterated this.
“O most gracious of kings, I have to say that I saw them. Two were speeding into harbor as we left it. Nowhere have I seen vessels that come nigh them!”