The Young Captives Part 3

"If to Babylon my brothers go, I must accompany them," said Perreeza, with much decision. "It must be so! Jerusalem will have no charms for me when those I love dearer than life are far away!"

"Surely that would be our joy and desire," replied Azariah, "but alas! I fear it will not be possible to have such a request granted. The exact number is selected and no females are marked on the captive list."

"But dear brother, an effort must be put forth without delay to procure thy sister permission."

"Yea, beloved, and an effort will be put forth, promptly and urgently."

This answer of the brother partly soothed the troubled spirit of the young damsel, and the suggestion on her part opened a little door of hope before the brothers.

Amon.o.ber, father of these interesting youths, was a brother of King Josiah. Another brother was Baromon, who had died leaving a widow, Josepha, a son, Daniel, and two daughters. The two families stood among the foremost in the religious and social life of the Holy City. Young Daniel was one of the n.o.ble youths chosen by Nebuchadnezzar to go to Babylon. His pious and n.o.ble mother and sisters, after their first outburst of grief, committed him to G.o.d's care. They became reconciled to their bereavement through the counsel of Jeremiah, who declared that the G.o.d of Israel was shaping the whole affair for the advancement of his kingdom on earth.

CHAPTER VII.

DANIEL and the Amon.o.ber children, from their first interview with the officers of the King of Babylon, had left a very favorable impression on the minds of those high dignitaries; and although, in reality, they were but captives of war, they were treated with that high civility due to n.o.bility and rank. This caused much astonishment to the youths themselves, and served in part to calm and reconcile them to their lot.

The ardent desire of Perreeza to accompany them to the land of their captivity had been made the subject of their thoughts, and served if possible to deepen in their minds the fountain of pure affection.

Early next morning, the brothers bent their footsteps towards the temporary residence of one of Nebuchadnezzar's officers, with whom, at this time, they had to do. The manner in which they formerly had been received gave them some encouragement to hope that their mission would be crowned with success. They soon reached the "spot, and were admitted.

"And what is the pleasure of these young n.o.blemen of Judah?" asked Barzello, with a pleasant smile.

"Let thy young servants find favor in the sight of their kind and n.o.ble master," said Hananiah, "while with deep humility they make known their request. The ill.u.s.trious Barzello, we trust, will pardon us for this intrusion upon the time of the King of Babylon's n.o.ble officer, and listen patiently to their urgent prayer. Thy kind deportment towards thy servants, for these many days, has given them courage thus to stand in thy presence without any painful, distracted fears. We are the sons of Amon.o.ber, the brother of King Josiah, under whose reign, for many years, Judah smiled amid peace and plenty. Thy servants were early instructed in the religion of our sainted father, who, with our beloved mother, feared the G.o.d of Israel, and wors.h.i.+ped in his holy Temple. While thy servants were yet young, Amon.o.ber our father died, and was gathered to his fathers, and today he calmly rests by the side of his ill.u.s.trious brother, King Josiah. Thus the best of mothers was left a widow with her fatherless children. Thy servants, feeling it no less a pleasure than a duty, endeavored to comply with our father's dying request, by being ever kind to our beloved mother. Thus time pa.s.sed away for two years, and our pathway once more seemed to be bright and pleasant, when suddenly our mother died. Thy servants were called to stand by the side of her couch before she departed, and these were her parting words:

"'To you, my sons, I commit my sweet Perreeza! Let her youthful feet be tenderly watched by the eyes of love. Whisper words of sweet, brotherly affection in her youthful ears. Oh, deal gently and kindly with the dear, motherless lamb! Remember the dying request of a mother, and throw your arms of protection around your orphan sister.'

"Having concluded these words, our mother closed her eyes, and gave up the ghost. This beloved object of a mother's dying request has been, for many years, the center of thy servants' joy and happiness, and one smile from our own Perreeza will often turn our darkness into day. Our love for her is returned with all the ardor of a sister's pure affection. The sad news of our destined departure from this our native land has well-nigh overwhelmed her heart with sorrow. The thought of parting makes her spirit faint; and thy servants are sincere when they a.s.sure their compa.s.sionate master that they greatly fear that, if compelled to be separated from her brothers, Perreeza will sink under the deep weight of sorrow, and pa.s.s away to the spirit land. In compliance with her very urgent request, thy servants at this time stand as pet.i.tioners before their benevolent superior. We are not here to ask to be released from any demand. We patiently yield to the stern necessity that calls us away; but we are here, O most excellent Barzello! to ask a favor for another, which, if granted, will always live in our grateful memories: it is, that Perreeza, our beloved sister, be permitted to accompany us to the land of the Chaldeans."

"And how old is this young sister, of whom ye speak in such terms of commendation?"

"Perreeza has but just commenced her seventeenth year."

"This request must be presented before my lord, the king. Call again at the setting of the sun, and ye shall learn his pleasure in this matter.

Be a.s.sured that my influence shall be exerted in your behalf."

"And the prayers of thy servants shall always ascend to the G.o.d of Judah for ten thousand blessings on the head of Barzello;" and in the most respectful manner, they left the apartment.

"Barzello," said the King of Babylon, in a pleasant mood, "are my chosen captives in a ready trim for their departure?"

"All ready at the word of command, O king."

"But what thinkest thou of those brothers? Hast thou had an opportunity of testing their merits?"

"The brothers and cousins, O king, have been repeatedly in my presence, and have given me positive proof that they are youths of very superior abilities and great worth. Their amiable deportment and truly n.o.ble bearing have left on my mind a very favorable impression. Indeed, the youths of Babylon, who pride themselves so much on their superior learning and high attainments, might learn precious lessons of wisdom from these very youths of Judah."

"By the G.o.ds! Barzello," said the king, laughing heartily, "if at this rate these youths continue to grow upon thy good opinion, before many days thou wilt be a convert to the religion of Judah!"

"Of the religion of Judah I know but little; but if these children are a fair specimen of its operations, I cannot think that there is anything very dangerous or offensive in it."

"Well, when we arrive in Chaldea, we shall give their powers a fair trial. But are there any more brothers in that family?"

"No more, O king," replied the officer, inwardly thanking the king for the question. "There are but three brothers and one young sister."

"She will be a comfort to her mother in the absence of her sons," said the king, in a thoughtful mood.

"But the young damsel has no mother. For many years the children have been both fatherless and motherless."

"Then there must be bitter parting there, Barzello! This young damsel, an only orphan sister, must be bound to her brothers by more than common ties."

"True, O king," answered Barzello, somewhat animated. "The thought of parting grieves them beyond description. It was but this morning that the brothers sought an interview with me on this very point, and pleaded in her behalf with such melting eloquence as well-nigh robbed me of all my generals.h.i.+p. I dismissed them by stating that I would lay their pet.i.tion before my lord the king, and that I would give them his answer at the setting of the sun."

"Barzello!" said the king, in a firm tone, "I cannot change my purpose in regard to those brothers. Nothing shall prevail upon me to give them up.

To Babylon they must go! I have spoken the word! Let there be no pleading in their behalf--I cannot grant their pet.i.tion."

"I humbly beg my lord the king's forgiveness," replied the officer, with a smile; "but let me a.s.sure him that the n.o.ble youths have made no pet.i.tion of that nature." "But what do they ask?" asked the king, with some astonishment.

"They ask, O king, as the greatest favor, that this their young orphan sister, be permitted by the king to accompany her brothers to the land of the Chaldeans."

"And has not this small favor been granted?"

"Barzello now stands in the presence of his sovereign in behalf of the Hebrew damsel, asking for her a permission."

"And the permission is granted. And furthermore, Barzello, see that she is well provided for, and dealt gently with, for the maiden is of kingly line."

"All this shall be strictly attended to, O king," said the well-pleased officer, as he respectfully left the presence of the monarch.

It was now late in the afternoon. The "regent of day" was gradually fading from the sight of the inhabitants of the valley, and was smilingly sinking beyond the western hills, and Barzello hastened his footsteps toward his headquarters. After having reached his apartment, he seated himself, and indulged in some reflections, which, if we might judge from his countenance, we might p.r.o.nounce to be of a pleasing nature.

While thug musing, he was roused by the entrance of one of his servants.

"What now, Franzo?"

"Three young men and a damsel stand below, desiring the favor of an interview with my master."

"Let them be conducted into my presence; and see thou to it that they receive due respect from all below. They are persons of distinction."

The sister and brothers were conducted into the presence of Barzello, where again they were received with peculiar attention.

"The officer of the king of the Chaldeans is always happy to meet his young friends, and will consider it a great pleasure to add to their comfort and happiness. And this young damsel, I am led to believe, is your sister of whom ye spake this morning."

"This is Perreeza, our sister," replied Azariah; "her sense of obligation to our n.o.ble friend for his generous feelings in her behalf, has prompted her to embrace the privilege of appearing in person, to acknowledge her deep grat.i.tude."

"It gives me much pleasure to behold your sister, but I am not aware of any service rendered that calls for a great amount of grat.i.tude."

"Thy servants," said Azariah, "in compliance with the directions received this morning, are in thy presence to learn the will of the king, in regard to thy servants' request, as made known to him through the intervention of his generous officer."

"Ye did well to come at the appointed hour. I am always well pleased with strict punctuality. I am happy to inform you, that your request in regard to your sister is very readily granted; and, moreover, the king has given me particular directions to see that she has everything requisite to her perfect comfort in journeying, which directions will be obeyed with the utmost pleasure."