He started a little to find himself not alone, and a
second time he started with sudden recognition. The well was between
him and the soldier. He leaned upon his hands on the top of the curb
and gazed at his opposite. Once he seemed about to speak, but the
studious disregard of the soldier deterred him. Slowly his eyes fell
until they were directed thoughtfully through his own reflection into
the green depths of the well.
Although there were ten years in favor of the Egyptian, there was a
certain similarity between the two men. Both were soldiers, both black
and stern. But one was a Hebrew, no less than forty-five years of age.
He wore a helmet of polished metal, equipped with a visor, which, when
raised, finished the front with a flat plate. The top of the
head-piece was ornamented with a spike. His armor was complete--shirt
of mail, shenti extending half-way to the knees, greaves of brass and
mailed shoes.
He was as tall as the Egyptian and as lean, but his structure was
heavy, stalwart and powerful. His forehead was broad and bold, his
eyes deep-set, steel-blue and keen. He had the fighting nose,
over-long and hooked like an eagle's beak. The inexorable character of
his features was borne out by the mouth, thin-lipped and firm in its
closing.
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