“He was attacked by Athensian soldiers,” said Mr. Hampton, coming at once to the point, “and left for dead at a desert oasis six days journey distant to the north. We found him and nursed him back to life. He was still weak and could not move, but was out of danger, when we left him a week ago. His message to you was that you should help us. My son,” he added simply, “has been captured by Athensian raiders, and from what Amrath told us we fear he is destined to take part in the Sacrificial Games. We are here to attempt his rescue.”
Jepthah looked along the line.
“Ten men to assail Athensi,” he said. “You are very brave.”
Mr. Hampton flushed.
“We love him,” he said. “He is a great athlete and undoubtedly has been captured for the Games. At Amrath’s direction we came directly to this point in order to arrive in advance of my son’s captors who, said Amrath, would take a circuitous course in order to touch at three water holes. My son’s captors were only eight or ten in number, we believe. And we feel certain we have arrived ahead of them. Here we lay in ambush since before dawn, when by chance as you passed I heard repeated the names of those true men Amrath told me to seek in Korakum, and so appealed to you.”
During the course of this recital, Jepthah’s face betrayed increasing excitement, and barely had Mr. Hampton concluded than the young Athensian turned to his companions and began translating in their own language at a rate far too rapid for Mr. Hampton to follow.
Immediately Shedrach and Shilluk whirled their horses and started down the Great Road at a breakneck pace.
“They go to tell our captain, Amanassar, what you have said,” explained Jepthah, again falling into English and addressing Mr. Hampton. “If the troop has not yet debouched into the desert, he will turn back and in the pass will await your son’s captors.”
“What if the troop did get into the desert, and happened to be seen by the raiders,” asked Jack, anxiously. “Would the fellows who hold Bob prisoner realize your people are enemies and flee?”
“I do not know,” said Jepthah. “Revolution has been brewing for long, but this is our first open move. Yesterday we hung all spies and informers among us. Athensi is unapproachable by this direction except through a subterranean river, which is heavily guarded. Today we are on our way to approach the city through the mountains by another entrance over the Mountain Wall. We plan to raise the standard of revolt against the priests and their Janissaries, among the peasants and country people.”