The Young Captives Part 4

Silent tears of joy coursed down the cheeks of both sister and brothers.

They were so affected by the result of their effort, together with the unaffected tenderness of Barzello, that for a short interval they could in no wise give utterance to their feelings. Perreeza was the first to break the spell.

"The most excellent Barzello will please accept the humble thanks of an orphan maiden of Judah, for his kind regards. The G.o.d of the fatherless and motherless will surely reward his servant, and cause blessings and prosperity to rest on his household. Thy kindness shall not be forgotten.

Our daily prayers shall ascend to the G.o.d of Judah in thy behalf, with the smoke of our morning and evening sacrifices."

"And I trust the youthful maiden of Judah," said the officer, in a voice far from being firm, "will live to see many happy years in the fair land of the Chaldeans."

The interview was at an end, and the youths of Judah quietly directed their footsteps to that beautiful mansion which was well known in that vicinity as the "House of Amon.o.ber."

CHAPTER VIII.

ON THE journey to Babylon, nothing of note transpired. The royal captives continued to receive peculiar marks of attention and very clear demonstrations of regard. They readily and justly concluded that all this originated in the generous heart of Barzello; and thus he became more and more endeared to them.

The King of the Chaldeans' return to Babylon, at the head of his victorious army, was hailed with loud acclamations of joy. The great capital of his extensive empire was filled to overflowing with exulting thousands, to welcome the victorious monarch from a brilliant campaign.

Proud banners floated in triumph on the high turrets, while a thousand minstrels filled the air with their high-sounding melody.

Nebuchadnezzar was as yet but a young monarch. He spared no pains to render himself acceptable to his people, by a worthy deportment and a liberal encouragement of all improvements throughout his realm, and especially within the city of Babylon. At this period, he was greatly beloved by his subjects, and his popularity was plainly visible in the unbounded welcome with which he was received and escorted to the royal palace.

Not far from the king's palace stood a splendid mansion of broad and lofty dimensions. Within the enclosures, everything was arranged with faultless taste. In front, large beds of roses unveiled their charms, and sent forth their sweet fragrance. Each side was well ornamented with shrubbery, and the rear beautified with a garden abundantly filled with delicious fruits. With the permission of the reader, we will now enter.

In a richly-furnished apartment within this n.o.ble edifice, sat a man of commanding exterior, attired in rich, military official costume.

Caressingly on his bosom leaned a young damsel, over whose head sixteen summers might have gently rolled. Joy and gladness beamed in every feature of her lovely countenance.

"Oh, happy day! Father is home again! Jupheena will now be happy. The time of thy absence seemed long and dreary; but thou art back again in our happy home!"

"Yea, my child, I am really home again, and am happy to find my sweet Jupheena as well and as sprightly as ever."

"But my dear father has happily returned sooner than we expected; thy stay in Egypt was but short."

"Short, indeed, my daughter. Pharaoh-Necho, when he saw our powerful legions, soon came to terms of peace; and in this I admire his wisdom.

From Egypt, we marched into the capital of Judah, and gained an entrance without resistance.

"My stay in Jerusalem, thou knowest, was but short, and my facilities for observation were not very favorable; but owing to peculiar circ.u.mstances, I became partially acquainted with those in Judah who left deep and happy impressions on my mind. I found a few young men of the kingly line, who, in my opinion, were far superior in mind to any I ever had the pleasure of beholding."

"Dear father! that is saying much. Then they must have been very different from their royal relation, of whom thou speakest."

"Thou hast well said, my daughter. Happy would it have been for that distracted nation if one of those youths had graced the throne of Judah, instead of the profligate Jehoiakim."

"Then it appears, surely," said the daughter smilingly, "that true excellence and superiority are not confined to Chaldea. But I hear nothing in praise of Judah's maidens."

"The maidens of Judah are fair--some of them exceedingly fair. Thou wilt wonder, perhaps, to hear that the peculiar grace and artless eloquence of one of these maids of Judah so affected thy father's heart, that he could not refrain from shedding tears."

"And have these interesting captives arrived in the city?"

"Yea, my daughter, they are already in Babylon."

"And shall not thy daughter have the pleasure of seeing this orphan maid of Judah?"

"Yea, verily! this day thou shalt see her; and if thou art well pleased with her and with her society, she may be an inmate of my house, and a companion for my daughter."

"But can the young maiden converse in Chaldee?"

"She speaks our language, my daughter, with a degree of fluency that is really astonis.h.i.+ng. It is evident that her attainments are quite superior, and that all the advantages which Judah's capital could afford have been lavished upon her."

"Oh! it will be delightful to learn beautiful stories of other lands, and have such a sweet and lovely creature for my companion; I am almost impatient to see her."

"I will have her conveyed hither without delay. If I mistake not, the maiden will be delighted to tarry under the roof of one whom she calls her 'bountiful benefactor.' Thy father will now leave for a short season, to attend to some business matters of importance. In two hours I return."

And kissing his sweet Jupheena, the soldier hurried out of the apartment.

A chariot stood ready at his door, into which he stepped, and was hurried away to another part of the city.

CHAPTER IX.

THE royal captives, on arriving in the city, were conveyed, according to the strict orders of Barzello, to certain appropriate apartments, prepared for their reception, and nothing requisite to their comfort and entertainment was left wanting. On the very first day of their arrival the G.o.d-fearing youths found themselves to be favorites in a land of strangers. The G.o.d in whom they trusted gave them adequate strength for their peculiar trials. They found themselves in possession of energy of spirit and courage, that was truly a source of wonderment to themselves.

They thought of friends and home with all the fervor of pure affection; but it was not accompanied with those painful, agonizing emotions that are wont to accompany the remembrance of native land and absent friends; in regard to which state of mind they could well adopt the language of one of their happiest monarchs: "This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our sight."

It was about the ninth hour. The youthful group were seated together.

"Well, cousin," said Azariah, smiling and looking round the apartment, "this has more the appearance of being guests of royalty than poor captives of war."

"Yea, truly," replied Daniel; "and in this we clearly see the loving-kindness of our G.o.d, by whom princes rule and kings govern."

"Our kind friend, Barzello," said Hananiah, "has promised to call on us ere the sun sets."

"And he will certainly fulfill his promise," said Mishael.

"We have proved him a genuine and a wise counselor," said Daniel.

"And his loving-kindness shall ever remain deeply graven on our memories," said Azariah.

"Perreeza hopes," said the sister, "that it may be her good providence to be always near the good man, where she may often see his smiling face."

"Our excellent master, under the direction of the King of kings, will order all things for the best," said Hananiah.

"Let us always remember the parting admonitions of our good Prophet,"

said Mishael, "and calmly submit our all to the wisdom of the Keeper of Israel."

"Even so, amen!" replied the others.

Quick footsteps were heard without. The door opened, and Barzello entered the apartment. The youths unitedly arose, and bowed low, in humble token of respect to the n.o.ble officer.

"I trust my young friends from Judah find these apartments a comfortable resting place."

"Thy servants," replied Daniel, "are overwhelmed with thy kindness, and hope, in some sphere, by a true and honest deportment, to be able to show their benefactor that his kindness is duly appreciated."

"And how does our young maid of Judah feel after her long journey?" asked Barzello, as he smilingly approached Perreeza.