The other Saxons shouted their approval of their jarl's kindness to Annibaal, and they marched forward willingly, blowing their horns and clashing their spears upon their shields, for all this great ruin was very wonderful.
The street was long, and as they went on Sigurd remarked to the jarl:
"Where there are lions there are no cattle. Where the Romans have been there is left no plunder worth taking. We will but use our eyes till we tire and then we will lift our sails and depart."
Ulric answered not, for a strange look was on his face and his eyes were studying the sword of Annibaal.
"This hilt hath many runes," he said to Ben Ezra. "Canst thou read them?"
"Not so," said the Jew, "but one thing the Carthaginian told thee not. I had heard much of this city. It was first builded by the kings of the forgotten ages, whereof there are no writings. Our own writings tell us somewhat of them. The Egyptian priests know more, but tell it not. So did those of Babylon the elder. Here was a great people, but they perished. Even their gods died, being slain by the sword of Jehovah."
"As many gods have been slain by Thor and Odin," responded Ulric. "I like your god, that destroyeth his enemies."
More slowly they walked as they drew near the front of the great temple.
"The stones of it are large," said Ulric to Ben Ezra. "They are greater than the Druid stones that I saw in Britain."
"I will show thee greater stones than these in the temple of Jehovah at Jerusalem," replied the Jew.
"I will go there with thee," replied Ulric. "But these are wonderfully graven. Only a good chisel may cut granite rock."
"Their tools were of bronze," said the Jew, "and none but their priests knew how to make them. Taller pillars are in Egypt than in Greece or Rome, but they are of the old time. No more are set up since the Egyptian gods departed. They, too, were overcome by Jehovah."
"He is a great god," said Ulric, reverently. "I would be glad to see him. Let us go up these steps and look in."
Some of the vikings paused on the steps and would go no further, for a chill was on them in spite of the sunshine. One said to another: "The magicians may still be here, or some of the old gods of this place."
"The son of Odin need not fear them," was answered; "but we are not as he is. Let us wait until he hath gone in."