“We are merchants,” said their spokesman, “brought by business into the camp of his Excellency Nicanor.” “And in what merchandize do you deal?” asked Judas, though, as may be supposed, he was perfectly well acquainted with their occupation. “We deal in the prisoners of war,” answered the man. “Permit me, sir,” he went on, “to congratulate your Excellency on the splendid victory that you have won, and to beg the favour of your custom. We offer the best of prices for goods, and pay in ready money or in bills on the best houses, quite as safe as cash, I can assure you, and far more convenient to carry.” “Do you know this document?” asked Judas, holding up a piece of parchment which had been found among the property of the slave-dealers. The man turned pale and said nothing. Judas then proceeded to read aloud: “It is hereby covenanted between the most excellent Lysias, Governor of Syria, on the first part, and Theron and his Company, dealers in slaves, on the second part, that the said Lysias shall hand over, and that the said Theron and his Company shall take all persons that shall be captured in the operations now about to be begun by the army of the said Lysias. And it is further covenanted that the said Theron and Company shall pay to the said Lysias or such other persons as he shall appoint, the sum of one talent of gold for every ninety persons delivered alive into the hands of the said Theron and Company. Furthermore it is agreed that the said Theron and Company shall have no claim for a drawback for any such persons dying after they have been once delivered; but that a drawback shall be allowed at the rate of six _minæ_(14) for every person, who, as being a loyal subject of our lord and king Antiochus, or of any prince in friendship and alliance with him, shall have been wrongfully taken prisoner.” “Know you this document?” Theron stammered an assent. “It is but a common matter of business, my lord. Such covenants must be drawn up, and, doubtless, they sound somewhat harsh.” “Ye have digged a pit, and are fallen into the midst of it yourselves,” said Judas, in a voice of thunder. “Let them be taken with the followers of the camp to the slave-market of Sidon.” “Mercy, my lord!” cried the dealers, falling on their knees. “Such mercy as you have shown yourselves you shall have, and no more. Lead them away.” “Nay, my lord,” cried Theron, struggling away from the soldier who had grasped him by the arms, “you do ill to deal so harshly with men that have not borne arms against you.” “You have done tenfold worse,” was the answer. “I know your works. You sell our youths to the mines, where the young man grows old and decrepit before he has reached to middle age, and the maidens you sell to shame; and the old and sick you slay with the sword or poison. Take them away.”