A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder James De Mille
A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder James De Mille
A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder James De Mille
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
155<br />
"No."<br />
I was amazed at this.<br />
"But," said I, "am I not a victim--preserved for the great sacrifice?"<br />
"You are; but you are free to go where you like, and do what you like.<br />
Your character of victim makes you most dist<strong>in</strong>guished. It is the<br />
highest honor and dignity. All believe that you rejoice <strong>in</strong> your high<br />
dignity, and no one dreams that you are anxious to escape."<br />
"But if I did escape, would they not pursue me?"<br />
"Certa<strong>in</strong>ly not."<br />
"What would they do for a victim?"<br />
"They would wonder at your unaccountable flight, and then choose some<br />
dist<strong>in</strong>guished pauper."<br />
"But if I were to stay here, would they not save me from death at<br />
my entreaty?"<br />
"Oh, certa<strong>in</strong>ly not; they would never understand such an entreaty.<br />
That's a question of death, the supreme bless<strong>in</strong>g. No one is capable of<br />
such a base act as sav<strong>in</strong>g his fellow-man from death. All are eager to<br />
help each other to such a fate."<br />
"But if I were to fly they would not prevent me, and they would not<br />
pursue me?"<br />
"Oh no."<br />
"Are there any <strong>in</strong> the land who are exempt from the sacrifice?"<br />
"Oh yes; the Athons, Meleks, and Kohens--these are not worthy of the<br />
honor. The artisans and tradesmen are sometimes permitted to atta<strong>in</strong> to<br />
this honor; the laborers <strong>in</strong> greater numbers; but it is the paupers who<br />
are chiefly favored. And this is a matter of compla<strong>in</strong>t among the rich<br />
and powerful, that they cannot be sacrificed."