He then made them convey him to the coast, where the ruddy waters of the river mingle with the Great Sea. There he paced the shores, wringing his hands, now praying, now cursing. Egbalus and Rubaal were especially the objects of his imprecation. They brought him to Tyre. He shut himself in his house. For days he was invisible. Captains in the harbor delayed their sailing, awaiting orders from him as the owner of their craft, which orders never came. Merchants from Sidon, with whom he was interested in joint ventures, returned enraged at his neglect of most pressing business. The first to gain access to him was Hanno. From boyhood Ahimelek had known and liked the genial comrade of young Hiram; and now that he must have some one to speak with, yet feared everybody else, he bethought him of Hanno. There was something of the old-time welcome of Ahimelek as his guest appeared. "Enter, my son! my boy, Hanno!" said he, throwing his arms affectionately about the stalwart young man. Then he looked at the dignified form, the serious face of the visitor, and, as if suddenly recollecting himself, made profound obeisance, remaining with head bowed for a moment. "My Lord Hanno! priest of Astarte, to be high priest of Baal-Melkarth! I worship your presence." "Simple Hanno, if you will," was the reassuring reply. The wretched man put his hands on Hanno's shoulders and scanned his face, as if making an effort at recollection. "I--I knew you when a child, did I not? In this room you have played. With these same old swords and helmets you have played. Hiram and Hanno played, and I--I let them. I never told them not to play." "Yes, you were a good friend to me and--to Hiram." "Was I?" said the man, with delight. "And you have not cursed me, as a priest have not cursed me, because I was good to you when a boy? And you will not curse me?" "No! no! noble Ahimelek! There have been cursings enough. But you sent for me?" "Ah, yes. I remember. Hanno! priest Hanno!" He drew his friend to him, and studied his face again, as if half in fear that sudden lightning might flash from it and blast him. "Hanno! priest Hanno! can you see the gods?" Hanno hesitated a moment, as if balancing his reply between honesty and some plan he had of using the superstition of Ahimelek, and then replied: "I have seen all the gods there are." "Have you seen Hiram, Baal-Hiram, since--the sacrifice?" "Yes." "He really lives?" "Yes." "Is blessed of Baal?" "Yes." There was a long pause. Ahimelek's face went through a series of contortions. With husky, hesitating speech, looking against the blank wall, as if questioning himself rather than his visitor, he stammered out: "And Zillah? She went to Hiram?" "She is with Hiram." "You can see her?" "I have seen her." "Does she curse her father?" "No, she is too happy with Hiram for that." "Baal be praised!" Raising his arm, he would have embraced Hanno, but his emotion was too much for him, and he fell across the divan.