XIII
THE CASTLE IN THE AIR
LONG, long ago there lived two famous kings. One was Pharaoh, king of Egypt. The other was Sennacherib, king of Assyria. Pharaoh was a very warlike ruler. He had an enormous army. His soldiers were very brave and most skillful with their bows and battle-axes. Their King delighted to see them daily on parade in the sandy desert near the royal palace. He watched them in summer and in winter. His object in having his fine men constantly drilled was to have them ready for battle, which he would have gladly welcomed should occasion arise to wage war. He often wished, as he rode home to his palace after drill, that he had a palace or castle in the desert. But he knew that the sand of the desert would never do for a foundation and therefore it was useless to build his residence there.
One day a rumor reached him that the King of Assyria had caused his wise Minister of State, named Achikar, to be killed. Pharaoh had always been afraid of having a quarrel with this man, who knew so well how to advise his master King Sen-
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