The officer whose laugh had so vexed Otanes, stooped over the dead lion and looked at the broken shaft.
"Ay, it's my weapon; the beast probably made its way to the morass for water; but, by Mithras![3] the lad's arrow killed the brute; the barb passed through the eyeball into the brain."
"Yes, my lord," cried old Candaules eagerly, "and doubtless it was only the weight of the animal, which, striking my young master as it made its spring, hurled him from the saddle and stunned him. See! he is opening his eyes. Otanes, Otanes, you've killed the lion!"
The boy's eyelids fluttered, then slowly rose, his eyes wandered over the group, and at last rested on the dead lion. The old slave's words had evidently reached his ear, for with a faint smile he glanced archly at Prexaspes, and raising himself on one elbow, said:
"You see, my lord—even with a bow and dagger!"
MARY J. SAFFORD.
Footnote 1: [(return) ]
The Magi were the Persian priests.
Footnote 2: [(return) ]
The principal god of the Persians.
Footnote 3: [(return) ]
The Persian god of the sun.