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Moon of Israel by H. Rider (Henry Rider) Haggard
page 23 of 316 (07%)
heard Khuaka order him to do if he lagged through weariness, and then
Khuaka killed him because my father in his madness struck the overseer
with a mattock. I have no more to say, save that I pray that I may be
sent back to my own people there to mourn my father according to our
custom."

"To whom would you be sent? Your mother?"

"Nay, O Prince, my mother, a lady of Syria, is dead. I will go to my
uncle, Jabez the Levite."

"Stand aside," said Seti. "The matter shall be seen to later. Appear,
O Ana the Scribe. Swear the oath and tell us what you have seen of this
man's death, since two witnesses are needful."

So I swore and repeated all this story that I have written down.

"Now, Khuaka," said the Prince when I had finished, "have you aught to
say?"

"Only this, O Royal One," answered the captain throwing himself upon his
knees, "that I struck you by accident, not knowing that the person of
your Highness was hidden in that long cloak. For this deed it is true
that I am worthy of death, but I pray you to pardon me because I knew
not what I did. The rest is nothing, since I only slew a mutinous slave
of the Israelites, as such are slain every day."

"Tell me, O Khuaka, who are being tried for this man's death and not
for the striking of one of royal blood by chance, under which law it is
lawful for you to kill an Israelite without trial before the appointed
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