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MASTER ELECT OF FIFTEEN. 113
of King Solomon, in the country of Gath, which was
tributary to him, caused diligent inquiry to be made
if any person had lately taken shelter in that region
who might be supposed to have fled from Jerusalem
he published at the same time an accurate descrip-
tion of the traitors who had' made their escape.
Shortly afterward he received information that per-
sons answering the description had lately arrived
there, and, believing themselves to be perfectly se-
cure, had begun to work in the quarry of Ben-Dekar.
As soon as Solomon was made acquainted with
this circumstance, he wrote to Maaka, King of Gath
to assist in apprehending them, and to cause them to
be delivered to persons he should appoint to secure
them, and have them brought to Jerusalem to receive
the punishment due to their crimes.
Solomon then selected fifteen Masters in whom he
could place the greatest confidence, and among whom
were those nine who had been in the cavern, and
sent them with an escort of troops in quest of the
villains. Five days were spent in the search, when
Zerbal, who bore King Solomon's letter to King
Maaka, with Stolkin and another of his companions,
discovered them cutting stone in the quarry. They
immediately seized them, and, binding them in
chains, conducted them to Jerusalem. On their ar-
rival they were imprisoned in the tower of Achizar,
and the next morning received the punishment which
their crimes deserved.
This degree, my brethren, as you learned by your
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