 CHAPTER X For several days upon paying their morning visit to the birds and other pets in the enclosure in the garden, Chebran and Myza had observed an unusual timidity among them, the wild fowl instead of advancing to meet them with demonstrations of welcome, remained close among the reeds, and even the ibis did not respond at once to their call. They must have been alarmed at something, Chebran said the third morning. Some bird of prey must have been swooping down upon them. See here, there are several feathers scattered about, and some of them are stained with blood. Look at that pretty drake that was brought to us by the merchants in trade with the Far East. Its mate is missing. That may be a hawk or some creature of the weasel tribe. At any rate we must try to put a stop to it. This is the third morning that we have noticed the change in the behavior of the birds. Doubtless three of them have been carried off. Amuba and I will watch tomorrow with our bows and arrows, and to see if we can not put an end to the marauder. If this goes on we shall lose all our pets. Upon the following morning Chebran and Amuba went down to the enclosure soon after daybreak, and concealing themselves in some shrubs waited for the appearance of the intruder. The ducks were splashing about in the pond evidently forgetful of their fright of the day before, and as soon as the sun was up the dogs came out of their house and threw themselves down on a spot where his rays could fall upon them, while the cats sat and cleaned themselves on a ledge behind a lattice, for they were only allowed to run about in the enclosure when someone was there to prevent their interference with the birds. For an hour there was no sign of an enemy. Then one of the birds gave a sudden cry of alarm, and there was a sudden flutter as all rushed to shelter among the reeds, but before the last could get within cover a dark object shot down from above. There was a frightened cry and a violent flapping as a large hawk suddenly seized one of the waterfowl and struck it to the ground. In an instant the watchers rose to their feet, and as the hawk rose with its prey and its talons they shot their arrows almost simultaneously. Amuba's arrow struck the hawk between the wings, and the creature fell dead, still clutching its prey. Cebron's arrow was equally well aimed, but it struck a twig which deflected its course and it flew wide of the mark. Amuba gave a shout of triumph and leaped out from among the bushes, but he paused and turned as an exclamation of alarm broke from Cebron. To his astonishment he saw a look of horror on his companion's face, his bow was still outstretched and he stood as if petrified. What's the matter, Cebron? Amuba exclaimed. What has happened? Has a deadly snake bit you? What is it, Cebron? Do you not see? Cebron said in a low voice. I see nothing! Amuba replied, looking round, and at the same time putting another arrow into his bow-string, ready to repel the attack of some dangerous creature. Where is it? I can see nothing! My arrow glanced off a twig and entered there. I saw one of the cat's fall. I must have killed it. Two years before, Amuba would have laughed at the horror which Cebron's face expressed at the accident of shooting a cat, but he had been long enough in Egypt to know how serious were the consequences of such an act, better by far that Cebron's arrow had lodged in the heart of a man. In that case an explanation of the matter in which the accident had occurred, a compensation to the relatives of the slain, and an expiatory offering at one of the temples would have been deemed sufficient to purge him from the offense, but to kill a cat, even by accident, was the most unpardonable offense an Egyptian could commit, and the offender would assuredly be torn to pieces by the mob. Knowing this, he realized at once the terrible import of Cebron's words. For a moment he felt almost as much stunned as Cebron himself, but he quickly recovered his presence of mind. There is only one thing to be done, Cebron. We must dig a hole and bury it at once. I will run and fetch a hoe. Throwing down his bow and arrows he ran to the little shed at the other end of the garden where the implements were kept, bidding a careless good morning to the men who were already at work there. He soon rejoined, Cebron, who had not moved from the spot from which he had shot the unlucky arrow. Do you think this is best, Amuba? Don't you think I had better go and tell my father? I do not think so, Cebron. Upon any other matter it would be right at once to confer with him, but as high priest it would be a fearful burden to place upon his shoulders. It would be his duty at once to denounce you, and did he keep it secret, and the matter be ever found out, it would involve him in our danger. Let us therefore bear the brunt of it by ourselves. I dare not go in, Cebron said in awestruck tones. It is too terrible. Oh, I will manage that, Amuba said lightly. You know to me a cat is a cat and nothing more, and I would just as soon bury one as that rascally hawk which has been the cause of all this mischief. So saying he crossed the open space and entering a thick bush beyond the cat-house dug a deep hole. Then he went into the house, although having no belief whatever in the sacredness of one animal more than another he had yet been long enough among the Egyptians to feel a sensation akin to awe as he entered and saw lying upon the ground the largest of the cats pierced through by Cebron's arrow. Drawing out the shaft he lifted the animal and putting it under his garment went out again, and entering the bushes buried it in the hole he had dug. He leveled the soil carefully over it and scattered a few dead leaves on the top. There no one would notice that, he said to himself when he had finished, but it's awfully unlucky it's that cat of all others. Then he went in, carefully erased the marks of blood upon the floor, and brought out the shaft, took it down to the pond and carefully washed the blood from it, and then returned to Cebron. Is it, the latter asked as he approached. He did not say more, but Amuba understood him. I am sorry to say it is, he replied. It is horribly unlucky, for one of the others might not have been missed. There is no hoping that now. Cebron seemed paralyzed at the news. Come, Cebron, Amuba said. It will not do to give way to fear. We must brave it out. I will leave the door of the cat house open, and when it is missed it will be thought that it has escaped and wandered away. At any rate there is no reason why suspicion should fall upon us. If we do but put a bold face upon the matter, but we must not let our looks betray us. If the worst comes to the worst and we find that suspicions are entertained, we must get out of the way, but there will be plenty of time to think of that. All that you have got to do now is to try and look as if nothing has happened. But how can I, Cebron said in broken tones, to you as you say it is only a cat. To me it is a creature sacred above all others that I have slain. It is ten thousand times worse than if I had killed a man. A cat is a cat, Amuba repeated. I can understand what you feel about it, though to my mind it is ridiculous. There are thousands of cats in Thebes, let them choose another one for the temple, but I grant the danger of what has happened, and I know that if it is found out there is no hope for us. You had nothing to do with it, Cebron said. There is no reason why you should take all this risk with me. We were both in the matter, Cebron, and that twig might just as well have turned my arrow from its course as yours. We went to kill a hawk together and we have shot a cat, and it is a terrible business, there is no doubt, and it makes no difference whatever whether I think the cat was only a cat, if the people of Thebes considered it is a god. If it is found out it is certain death, and we shall need all our wits to save our lives, but unless you pluck up courage and look a little more like yourself we may as well go at once and say what has happened and take the consequences. Only if you don't value your life I do mine, so if you mean to let your looks betray us say so, and stop here for a few hours till I get a good start. I will tell my father, Cebron said suddenly, and abide by what he says, if he thinks it is his duty to denounce me, so be it. In that case you will run no risk. But I don't mind running the risk, Cebron. I am quite ready to share the peril with you. No, I will tell my father, Cebron repeated, and abide by what he says. I am sure I can never face this out by myself, and that my looks will betray us. I have committed the most terrible crime an Egyptian can commit, and I dare not keep such a secret to myself. Very well, Cebron, I will not try to dissuade you, and I will go and see Jethro. Of course to him as to me the shooting of a cat is a matter not worth a second thought, but he will understand the consequences, and if we fly will accompany us. You do not mind my speaking to him? You could trust your life to him as to me." Cebron nodded and moved away toward the house. For pity's sake, Cebron, Amuba exclaimed, do not walk like that. If the men at work get sight of you they cannot but see that something strange has happened, and it will be recalled against you when the creature is missed. Cebron made an effort to walk with his usual gait. Amuba stood watching him for a minute, and then turned away with a gesture of impatience. Cebron is clever and learned in many things, and I do not think that he lacks courage, but these Egyptians seem to have no iron in their composition when a pinch comes. Cebron walks as if all his bones had turned to jelly. Of course he is in a horrible scrape. Still, if he would but face it out with sense and pluck it would be easier for us all. However, I do not think that it is more the idea that he has committed an act of horrible sacrilege than the fear of death that weighs him down. If it were not so serious a matter one could almost laugh at anyone being crushed to the earth because he had accidentally killed a cat. Upon entering the house, Cebron made his way to the room where his father was engaged in study. Dropping the heavy curtains over the door behind him, he advanced a few paces, then fell on his knees and touched the ground with his forehead. Cebron, Amaris exclaimed, laying down the roll of papyrus on which he was engaged and rising to his feet. What is it, my son? Why do you thus kneel before me in an attitude of supplication? Rise and tell me what has happened. Cebron raised his head but still continued on his knees. Amaris was startled at the expression of his son's face. The look of health and life had gone from it. The color beneath the bronze skin had faded away. Drops of perspiration stood on his forehead. His lips were parched and drawn. What is it, my son? Amaris repeated, now thoroughly alarmed. I have forfeited my life, father. Worse, I have offended the gods beyond forgiveness. This morning I went with Amuba with our bows and arrows to shoot a hawk which has for some time been slaying the waterfowl. It came down and we shot together. Amuba killed the hawk, but my arrow struck a tree and flew wide of the mark, and entering the cat's house killed pockies, who was chosen only two days to take the place of the sacred cat in the temple of Bubastis. An exclamation of horror broke from the high priest, and he recoiled a pace from his son. Unhappy boy, he said, your life is indeed forfeited. The king himself could not save his son from the fury of the populace had he perpetrated such a deed. It is not my life I am thinking of, father, Chebran said, but first of the horrible sacrilege, and then that I alone cannot bear the consequences, but that some of these must fall upon you and my mother and sister, for even to be related to one who has committed such a crime is a terrible disgrace. Ameri's walked up and down the room several times before he spoke. As to our share of the consequences, Chebran, we must bear it as best we can, he said at last in a calmer tone than he had before used. It is of you we must first think. It is a terrible affair, and yet as you say it was but an accident, and you are guiltless of any intentional sacrilege, but that plea will be as nothing. Death is the punishment for slaying a cat, and the one you have slain having been chosen to succeed the cat of bubasties is of all others the one most sacred. The question is what is to be done? You must fly and that instantly, though I fear that flight will be vain, for as soon as the news is known it will spread from one end of Egypt to the other, and every man's hand will be against you, and even by this time the discovery may have been made. That will hardly be, father, for Amuba has buried the cat among the bushes, and has left the door of the house open so that it may be supposed for a time that it has wandered away. He proposed to me to fly with him at once, for he declares that he is determined to share my fate, since we were both concerned in the attempt to kill the hawk. But in that, of course, he is wrong, for it is I not he who has done this thing. Amuba has done rightly, Amaris said. We have at least time to reflect. But I do not want to fly, father, of what good will life be to me with this awful sin upon my head. I wonder that you suffer me to remain a moment in your presence, that you do not cast me out as a wretch who has mortally offended the gods. Amaris waved his hand impatiently. That is not troubling me now, Chebran. I do not view things in the same way as most men, and should it be that you have to fly for your life I will tell you more. Suffice for you that I do not blame you, still less regard you with horror. The great thing for us to think of at present is as to the best steps to be taken. Were you to fly now you might get several days' start, and might even get out of the country before an alarm was spread. But upon the other hand, your disappearance would at once be connected with that of the cat as soon as it became known that she is missing, whereas if you stay here quietly it is possible that no one will connect you in any way with the fact that the cat is gone. That something has happened to it will speedily be guessed, for a cat does not stray away far from the place where it has been bred up, besides a cat of such a size and appearance is remarkable, and were it anywhere in the neighborhood it would speedily be noticed. But now go and join Amuba in your room, and remain there for the morning as usual. I will give orders that your instructor be told that you will not want him today, as you are not well. I will see you presently when I have thought the matter fully out, and determined what had best be done. Keep up a brave heart, my boy. The danger may yet pass over. Cebron retired, overwhelmed with surprise at the kindness with which his father had spoken to him, when he had expected that he would be so filled with horror at the terrible act of sacrilege that he would not have suffered him to remain in the house for a moment after the tale was told, and yet he had seemed to think chiefly of the danger to his life, and to be but little affected by what to Cebron himself was by far the most terrible part of the affair, the religious aspect of the deed, on entering the room where he pursued his studies he found Jethro as well as Amuba there. I am sorry for you, young master, Jethro said as he entered. Of course, to me the idea of any fuss being made over the accidental killing of a cat is ridiculous, but I know how you view it, and the danger in which it has placed you. I only came in here with Amuba to say that you can rely upon me, and that if you decide on flight I am ready at once to accompany you. Thanks, Jethro, Cebron replied. Should I fly it will indeed be a comfort to have you with me as well as Amuba, who has already promised to go with me, but at present nothing is determined. I have seen my father and told him everything, and he will decide for me. Then he will not denounce you, Amuba said. I thought that he would not. No, and he has spoken so kindly that I am amazed. It did not seem possible to me that an Egyptian would have heard of such a dreadful occurrence, without feeling horror and detestation of the person who did it, even were he his own son. Still more would one expect it from a man who, like my father, is a high priest to the gods. Your father is a wise as well as a learned man, Jethro said, and he knows that the gods cannot be altogether offended at an affair for which fate and not the slayer is responsible. The real slayer of the cat is the twig which turned the arrow, and I do not see that you are any more to blame, or anything like so much to blame, as is the hawk at whom you shot. This, however, was no consolation to Chebran, who threw himself down on a couch in a state of complete prostration. It seemed to him that even could this terrible thing be hidden he must denounce himself and bear the penalty. How could he exist with the knowledge that he was under the ban of the gods? His life would be a curse rather than a gift under such circumstances. Physically, Chebran was not a coward, but he had not the toughness of mental fiber which enables some men to bear almost unmoved misfortunes which would crush others to the ground. As to the comforting assurances of Amuba and Jethro, they failed to give him the slightest consolation. He loved Amuba as a brother, and in all other matters his opinion would have weighed greatly with him, but Amuba knew nothing of the gods of Egypt, and could not feel in the slightest the terrible nature of the act of sacrilege, and therefore on this point his opinion could have no weight. Jethro, Amuba said, you told me you were going to escort Miza one day or other to the very top of the hills in order that she could thence look down upon the whole city, put it into her head to go this morning, or at least persuade her to go into the city. If she goes into the garden she will at once notice that the cat is lost, whereas if you can keep her away for the day it will give us so much more time. But if a Mary's decides that you had best fly, I might on my return find that you have both gone. Should he do so, Jethro, he will tell you the route we have taken, and arrange for some point at which you can join us. He would certainly wish you to go with us, for he would know that your experience and strong arm would be above all things needful. Then I will go at once, Jethro agreed. There are two or three excursions she has been wanting to make, and I think I can promise that she shall go on one of them today. If she says anything about wanting to go to see her pets before starting, I can say that you have both been there this morning and seen after them. I do not mean to fly, Chebran said, starting up, unless it be that my father commands me to do so, rather a thousand worlds I stay here and meet my fate. Jethro would have spoken, but Amuba signed to him to go at once, and crossing the room took Chebran's hand. It was hot and feverish, and there was a patch of color in his cheek. Do not let us talk about it, Chebran, he said, you have put the matter in your father's hands, and you may be sure that he will decide wisely. Therefore the burden is off your shoulders for the present. You could have no better counselor in all Egypt, and the fact that he holds so high and sacred an office will add to the weight of his words. If he believes that your crime against the gods is so great that you have no hope of happiness in life, he will tell you so. If he considers that, as it seems to me, the gods cannot resent an accident as they might do a crime against them done willfully, and that you may hope by a life of piety to win their forgiveness, then he will bid you fly. He is learned in the deepest of the mysteries of your religion, and will view matters in a different light to that in which they are looked at by the ignorant rabble. At any rate, as the matter is in his hands, it is useless for you to excite yourself. As far as personal danger goes, I am willing to share it with you, to take half the fault of this unfortunate accident, and to avow that as we were engaged together in the act that led to it we are equally culpable of the crime. Unfortunately, I cannot share your greater trouble, your feeling of horror at what you regard as sacrilege, for we, Rebu, hold the life of one animal no more sacred than the life of another, and have no more hesitation in shooting a cat than a deer. Surely your gods cannot be so powerful in Egypt and impotent elsewhere, and yet if they are as powerful, how is it that their vengeance has not fallen upon other peoples who slay without hesitation the animals so dear to them? That is what I have often wondered, Chebran said, falling readily into the snare, for he and Amuba had had many conversations on such subjects, and points were constantly presenting themselves which he was unable to solve. An hour later, when a servant entered and told Chebran and Amuba that Ameri's wish to speak to them, the former had recovered to some extent from the nervous excitement under which he had first suffered. The two lads bowed respectfully to the high priest, and then, standing submissively before him, waited for him to address them. I have sent for you both, he said, after a pause, because it seems to me that although Amuba was not himself concerned in this sad business, it is probable that as he was engaged with you at the time, the popular fury might not nicely discriminate between you. He paused as if expecting a reply, and Amuba said quietly, That is what I have been saying to Chebran, my lord. I consider myself fully as guilty as he is. It was a mere accident that his arrow and not mine was turned aside from the mark we aimed at, and I am ready to share his lot, whether you decide that the truth shall be published at once, or whether we should attempt to fly. Ameri's bowed his head gravely, and then looked at his son. I, father, although I am ready to yield my wishes to your will, and to obey you in this as in all other matters, would beseech you to allow me to denounce myself and to bear my fate, I feel that I would infinitely rather die than live with this terrible weight and guilt upon my head. I expected as much of you, Chebran, and applaud your decision, Ameri's said gravely. Chebran's face brightened, while that of Amuba fell. Ameri's after a pause went on. Did I think as you do, Chebran, that the accidental killing of a cat is a deadly offense against the gods? I should say denounce yourself at once, but I do not so consider it. Chebran gazed at his father as if he could scarce credit his sense of hearing, while even Amuba looked surprised. You have frequently asked me questions, Chebran, which I have either turned aside or refused to answer. It was indeed from seeing that you had inherited from me the spirit of inquiry that I deemed it best that you should not ascend to the highest order of the priesthood, for if so the knowledge you would acquire would render you, as it has rendered me, dissatisfied with the state of things around you. Had it not been for this most unfortunate accident I should never have spoken to you further on the subject, but as it is I feel that it is my duty to tell you more. I have had a hard struggle with myself, and have, since you left me, thought over from every point of view what I ought to do. On the one hand I should have to tell you things known only to an inner circle, things which were it known I had whispered to anyone my life would be forfeited. On the other hand, if I keep silent I should doom you to a life of misery. I have resolved to take the former alternative. I may first tell you what you do not know, that I have long been viewed with suspicion by those of the higher priesthood who know my views, which are that the knowledge we possess should not be confined to ourselves, but should be disseminated at least among that class of educated Egyptians capable of appreciating it. What I am about to tell you is not as a whole, fully understood perhaps by any. It is the outcome of my own reflections, founded upon the light thrown upon things by the knowledge I have gained. You asked me one day, Chebran, how we knew about the gods, how they first revealed themselves, seeing that they are not things that belong to the world. I replied to you at the time that these things are mysteries, a convenient answer with which we close the mouths of questioners. Listen now and I will tell you how religion first began upon earth, not only in Egypt but in all lands. Man felt his own powerlessness. Looking at the operations of nature, the course of the heavenly bodies, the issues of birth and life and death, he concluded and rightly that there was a god over all things, but this god was too mighty for his imagination to grasp. He was everywhere and nowhere. He animated all things and yet was nowhere to be found. He gave fertility and he caused famine. He gave life and he gave death. He gave light and heat. He sent storms and tempests. He was too infinite and too various for the untutored mind of the early man to comprehend, and so they tried to approach him piecemeal. They worshiped him as the son, the giver of heat and life and fertility. They worshiped him as a destructive god. They invoked his aid as a beneficent being. They offered sacrifices to appease his wrath as a terrible one, and so in time they came to regard all these attributes of his, all his sides and lights under which they viewed him, as being distinct and different instead of all being the qualities of one god as being each the quality or attribute of separate gods. So there came to be a god of life and a god of death, one who sins fertility and one who causes famine. All sorts of inanimate objects were defined as possessing some fancied attribute, either for good or evil, and the one almighty god became hidden and lost in the crowd of minor deities. In some nations the fancies of man went one way, in another, another. The lower the intelligence of the people the lower their gods. In some countries serpents are sacred, doubtless because originally they were considered to typify at once the subtleness and the destructive power of a god. In others, trees are worshiped. There are peoples who make the son their god, others the moon. Our forefathers in Egypt being a wiser people than the savages around them worshiped the attributes of gods under many different names. First, eight great deities were chosen to typify the chief characteristics of the mighty one. Jnumus or Neuf typified the idea of the spirit of god, that spirit which pervades all creation. Amehura, the intellect of god. Osiris, the goodness of god. Tad typified at once the working power and the truthfulness of god. Kim represents the productive power, the god who presides over the multiplication of all species, man, beast, fish, and vegetable, and so with the rest of the great gods and of the minor divinities which are reckoned by the score. In time certain animals, birds, and other creatures whose qualities are considered to resemble one or other of the deities are in the first place regarded as typical of them, then are held as sacred to them, then in some sort of way become mixed up with the gods and to be held almost as the gods themselves. This is, I think, the history of the religions of all countries. The highest intelligences, the men of education and learning never quite lose sight of the original truths and recognize that the gods represent only the various attributes of the one almighty god. The rest of the population lose sight of the truth and really worship as gods these various creations that are really but types and shadows. It is perhaps necessary that it should be so. It is easier for the grosser and more ignorant classes to worship things that they can see and understand, to strive to please those whose statues and temples they behold, to fear and draw upon themselves the vengeance of those represented to them as destructive powers than to worship an inconceivable god without form or shape, so mighty the imagination cannot picture him, so beneficent, so all-providing, so equitable and serene that the human mind cannot grasp even a notion of him. Man is material and must worship the material in a form which he thinks he can comprehend it, and so he creates gods for himself with figures, likenesses, passions, and feelings like those of the many animals he sees around him. The Israelite maid whom we brought hither and with whom I have frequently conversed tells me that her people before coming to this land worshipped but one god likened to him of whom I have told you, save that they belittled him by deeming that he was their own special god, caring for them above all the peoples of the earth, but in all other respects he corresponded with the almighty one whom we who have gained glimpses of the truth which existed ere the pantheon of Egypt came into existence, worship in our hearts, and it seems to me as if this little handful of men who came to Egypt hundreds of years ago were the only people in the world who kept the worship of the one god clear and undefiled. Chebran and Amuba listened in awestruck silence to the words of the high priest. Amuba's face lit up with pleasure and enthusiasm as he listened to words which seemed to clear away all the doubts and difficulties that had been in his mind. To Chebran, the revelation, though a joyful one, came as a great shock. His mind too had long been unsatisfied. He had wondered and questioned, but the destruction at one blow of all the teachings of his youth, of all he had held sacred, came at first as a terrible shock. Neither spoke when the priest concluded, and after a pause he resumed. You will understand, Chebran, that what I have told you is not in its entirety held even by the most enlightened, and that the sketch I have given you of the formation of all religions is, in fact, the idea which I myself have formed as the result of all I have learned, both as one initiated in all the learning of the ancient Egyptians, and from my own studies both of our oldest records, and the traditions of all the peoples with whom Egypt has come in contact, but that all our gods merely represent attributes of the one deity, and have no personal existence as represented in our temples, is acknowledged more or less completely by all those most deeply initiated in the mysteries of our religion. When we offer sacrifices we offer them not to the images behind our altar, but to God the Creator, God the Preserver, God the Fertilizer, to God the Ruler, to God the Omnipotent over Good and Evil. Thus you see there is no mockery in our services, although to us they bear an inner meaning not understood by others. They worship a personality endowed with principle, we, the principle itself. They see in the mystic figure the representation of a deity, we see in it the type of an attribute of a higher deity. You may think that in telling you all this I have told you things which should be told only to those whose privilege it is to have learned the inner mysteries of their religion, that maybe I am untrue to my vows. These lads are matters for my own conscience. Personally I have long been impressed with the conviction that it were better that the circles of initiates should be very widely extended, and that all capable by education and intellect of appreciating the mightiness of the truth should no longer be left in darkness. I have then overruled and should never have spoken had not this accident taken place, but when I see that the whole happiness of your life is at stake, that should the secret ever be discovered you will either be put to death despairing and hopeless or have to fly and live despairing and hopeless in some foreign country. I have considered the balance of duty lay on the side of lightening your mind by a revelation of what was within my own, and it is not as I have told you so much the outcome of the teaching I have received as of my own studies and a conviction I have arrived at as to the nature of God. Thus then, my son, you can lay aside the horror which you have felt at the thought that by the accidental slaying of a cat you offended the gods beyond forgiveness. The cat is but typical of the qualities attributed to Basti. Basti herself is but typical of one of the qualities of the one God. Oh, my father, Jabran exclaimed, throwing himself on his knees beside our Mary's and kissing his hand. How good you are! What a weight you have lifted from my mind! What a wonderful future have you opened to me if I escape the danger that threatens me now? If I have to die I can do so like one who fears not the future after death. If I live I shall no longer be oppressed with the doubts and difficulties which have so long weighed upon me, though till now you have given me no glimpse of the great truth I have at times felt not only that the answers you gave me failed to satisfy me, but it seemed to me also that you yourself, with all your learning and wisdom, were yet unable to set me right in these matters as you did in all others upon which I questioned you. My father, you have given me life and more than life. You have given me a power over fate. I am ready now to fly, should you think at best, or to remain here and risk whatever may happen. I do not think you should fly, Jabran. In the first place, flight would be an acknowledgement of guilt. In the second, I do not see where you could fly. Tomorrow, at latest, the fact that the creature is missing will be discovered, and as soon as it was known that you had gone, a hot pursuit would be set up. If you went straight down to the sea, you would probably be overtaken long before you got there, and even did you reach a port before your pursuers, you might have to wait days before a ship sailed. Then again, did you hide in any secluded neighborhood, you would surely be found sooner or later, for the news will go from end to end of Egypt, and it will be everyone's duty to search for and denounce you. Messengers will be sent to all countries under Egyptian government, and even if you passed our frontiers by land or sea, your peril would be as great as it is here. Lastly, did you surmount all these difficulties and reach some land beyond the sway of Egypt, you would be an exile for life. Therefore I say that flight is your last resource, to be undertaken only if a discovery is made, but we may hope that no evil fortune will lead the searchers to the conclusion that the cat was killed here. When it is missed, there will be search high and low in which everyone will join. When the conclusion is at last arrived at that it is irrecoverably disappeared, all sorts of hypotheses will be started to account for it. Some will think that it probably wandered to the hills and became the prey of hyenas or other wild beasts. Some will assert that it has been killed and hidden away. Others that it has made its way down to the Nile and has been carried off by a crocodile. Thus there is no reason why suspicion should fall upon you more than upon others, but you will have to play your part carefully. CHAPTER XI DANGERS THICKEN When Chebran and Amuba returned to the room set apart for their use and study, their conversation did not turn upon the slaying of the cat or the danger which threatened them, but upon the wonderful revelation that Amaris had made, neither of them thought for a moment of doubting his words, their feeling of reverence for his wisdom and learning would have been sufficient in itself for them to accept without a question any statement that he made to them, but there was in addition their own inward conviction of the truth of his theory. It appealed at once to their heads and hearts. It satisfied all their longing and annihilated their doubts and difficulties, cleared away at once the pantheon of strange and fantastic figures that had been a source of doubting amusement to Amuba, of bewilderment to Chebran. The Israelite maid Ruth was right then, Amuba said. You know that she told us that her forefathers who came down into Egypt believed that there was one God only, and that all the others were false gods. She said that he could not be seen or pictured, that he was God of all the heavens, and so infinite that the mind of man could form no idea of him. Everything she said of him seems to be true, except in as much as she said he cared more for her ancestors than for other men, but of course each nation and people would think that. It is wonderful, Chebran replied as he paced restlessly up and down the room. Now that I know the truth, it seems impossible I could have really believed that all the strange images of our temples really represented gods. It worried me to think of them. I could not see how they could be, and yet I never doubted their existence. It seems to me now that all the people of Egypt are living in a sort of nightmare. Why do those who know so much suffer them to remain in such darkness? I understood your father to say, Chebran, that he himself is only in favor of the more enlightened and educated people obtaining a glimpse of the truth. I think I can understand that. Were all the lower class informed that the gods they worshiped were merely shadows of a great God and not real living deities, they would either fall upon and rend those who told them so as impious liars, or if they could be made to believe it, they would no longer hold to any religion, and in their rage might tear down the temples, abolish the order of priesthood altogether, spread tumult and havoc through the land, rebel against all authority, destroy with one blow all the power and glory of Egypt. That is true, Chebran said thoughtfully. No doubt the ignorant mass of the people require something material to worship. They need to believe in gods who will punish impiety and wrong and reward well-doing, and the religion of Egypt, as they believe it, is better suited to their daily wants than the worship of a deity so mighty and great and good that their intellect would fail altogether to grasp him. Their conversation was suddenly interrupted by the entrance of Ruth. Pauquise is missing. When we came back from our walk we went out to the animals, and the door of the house is open and the cat has gone. Miza says, will you come at once and help look for it? I was to send all the women who could be spared from the house to join in the search. Work was instantly abandoned, for all knew that Pauquise had been chosen to be the sacred cat at Bubastis, but even had it been one of the others, the news that it was missing would have caused a general excitement. So esteemed were even the most common animals of the cat tribe, that if a cat happened to die in a house, the inhabitants went into mourning and shaved their eyebrows in token of their grief. The embalmers were sent for, the dead cat made into a mummy and conveyed with much solemnity to the great catacones set aside for the burial of the sacred animals. Thus the news that Pauquise was missing was so important that work was at once laid aside, and the men and female slaves began to search the garden thoroughly, examining every bush and tree, and calling loudly to the missing animal. Cebron and Amuba joined in the search as actively as the rest. Where can it be? Misa exclaimed. Why should it have wandered away? It never did so before, though the door of the cat house is often left open all day. Where do you think it can have gone to? Do you think it could have got over the wall? It could get over the wall easily enough, Cebron replied. It is a terrible misfortune, continued Misa with tears in her eyes. Mama fainted on hearing the news, and her women are burning feathers under her nose and slapping her hands and sprinkling water on her face. Whatever will be done if it does not come back before tomorrow, for I hear a solemn procession is coming from Bubasti's to fetch it away. Poor dear Pauquise, and it seemed so contented and happy, and it had everything it could want. What can have induced her to wander away? Cats are often uncertain things, Amuba said. They are not like dogs who are always ready to follow their masters and who will lie down for hours ready to start out whenever called upon. Yes, but Pauquise was not a common cat, Amuba. It did not want to catch mice and birds for a living. It had everything it could possibly want—cushions to lie on, and fresh water and milk to drink, and plenty of everything to eat. But even all that will not satisfy cats when the instinct to wander comes upon them, Amuba said. Amerys himself soon came out of the house, and upon hearing that the cat was not to be found, either in the garden or within, gave orders for the whole of the males of the household to sally out in the search, to inform all the neighbors what had happened, and to pray them to search their gardens. They were also to make inquiries of all they met whether they had seen a cat resembling Pauquise. This is a very serious matter, Amerys said. After the choice of the priest of Bubastis had fixed upon Pauquise to be the sacred cat of the temple of Bubastis, the greatest care and caution should have been exercised respecting an animal toward whom all the eyes of Egypt were turned. For the last two or three weeks the question as to which cat was to succeed to the post of honor has been discussed in every household. Great has been the excitement among all the families possessing cats that had the smallest chance whatever of being selected, and what will be said if the cat is not forthcoming? When the procession arrives tomorrow from Bubastis to conduct her there, I tremble to think of. The excitement and stir will be prodigious, and the matter will become of state importance. Well, do not stand here, but go at once and join in the search. I felt horribly guilty when talking to Maiza, Jebron said. Of course she is very proud that Pauquise was chosen for the temple, but I know that she has really been grieving over the approaching loss of her favorite. But of course that was nothing to what she will feel when she finds that no news whatever can be obtained of the creature, and it was hard to play the part and to pretend to know nothing about it, when all the time one knew it was lying dead and buried in the garden. Yes, I felt that myself, Amuba agreed, but we cannot help it. Maiza will probably in the course of her life have very much more serious grief to bear than the loss of a cat. All day the search was maintained, and when it was dark great numbers of men with torches searched every point far and near on that side of Thebes. The news had now spread far and wide, and numbers of the friends of the High Priest called to inquire into the particulars of the loss and to condole with him on the calamity which had befallen his house. Innumerable theories were broached as to the course the animal would have taken, after once getting out of the garden, while the chances of its recovery were eagerly discussed. The general opinion was that it would speedily be found. A cat of such remarkable appearance must, it was argued, attract notice wherever it went, and even if it did not return of its own accord, as was generally expected, it was considered certain that it would be brought back before many hours. But when upon the following morning it was found that it had not returned and that all search for it had been fruitless, there was a feeling akin to consternation. For the first time men ventured to hint that something must have befallen the sacred cat. Either in its rambles some evil dog must have fallen upon it and slain it, or it must have been carried off by a crocodile as it quenched its thirst at a pool, that it had fallen by the hand of man no one even suggested. No Egyptian would be capable of an act of such sacrilege. The idea was too monstrous to entertain for a moment. Miza had cried herself to sleep, and broke forth in fresh lamentation when upon waking in the morning she heard that her favorite was still absent. While her mother took the calamity so seriously to heart that she kept her bed, the slaves went about silently and spoke with baited breath, as if a death had taken place in the house. Amerys and Chebran were both anxious and disturbed, knowing that the excitement would grow every hour, while Amuba and Jethro, joining busily in the search and starting on horseback the first thing in the morning to make inquiries in more distant localities, were secretly amused at the fuss and excitement which was being made over the loss of a cat. It was well for the household of Amerys that he occupied so exalted a position in the priesthood. Had he been a private citizen, the excitement which increased hour by hour when the vigilant search carried on far and wide for the missing cat proved fruitless would speedily have led to an outbreak of popular fury. But the respect due to the High Priest of Osiris, his position, his well-known learning and benevolence, rendered it impossible for the supposition to be entertained for a moment that the cat could have come to an untimely end within the limits of his house or garden, but it was now generally believed that, after wandering away, as even the best conducted of cats will do at times, it had fallen a victim to some savage beast or had been devoured by a crocodile. So heavy was the penalty for the offence, so tremendous the sacrilege in killing a cat, that such an act was almost unknown in Egypt, and but few instances are recorded of its having taken place, as in the present case the enormity of the act would be vastly increased by the size and beauty of the cat, and the fact that it had been chosen for the Temple of Bubastis seemed to put it all together beyond the range of possibility that the creature had fallen by the hands of man. When a week passed without tidings, it was generally accepted as a fact that the cat must be dead, and a Mary's and his household, in accordance with the custom, shaved their eyebrows in token of mourning. Although not suspected of having had anything to do with the loss of the cat, the event nevertheless threw a sort of cloud over the household of a Mary's. It was considered to be such a terrible stroke of ill luck that a cat, and above all such a cat, should have been lost upon the very eve of her being installed as the most sacred animal in the Temple of Bubastis, that it seemed as if it must be a direct proof of the anger of the gods, and there was a general shrinking on the part of their friends and acquaintances from intercourse with people upon whom such a misfortune had fallen. A Mary's cared little for public opinion, and continued on his way with placid calmness, ministering in the Temple and passing the rest of his time in study. The example of a Mary's, however, was wholly lost upon his wife. The deference paid to her as the wife of the High Priest, and also to herself as the principal figure in the services in which women took part, was very dear to her, and she felt the change greatly. Her slaves had a very bad time of it, and she worried a Mary's with constant complaints as to the changed demeanor of her acquaintances, and his indifference to the fact that they were no longer asked to entertainments, nor was she in any way pacified by his quiet assurances that it was useless for them to irritate themselves over trifles, and that matters would mend themselves in time. But as the days went on, so far from mending, things became worse, groups of people frequently assembled round the house, and shouts of anger and hatred were raised when any of the occupants entered or left, even when a Mary's was passing through the streets in procession with the sacred emblems, hoots and cries were raised among the crowd. Cebron took this state of things greatly to heart, and more than once he implored his father to allow him to declare the truth openly, and bear the consequences. I am not afraid of death, Father. Have you not trained me to regard life as of no account? Do we not in our feasts always see the image of a dead man carried past to remind us that death is always among us? You have Miza and my mother. I fear death far less than this constant anxiety that is hanging over us. But a Mary's would not hear of the sacrifice. I do not pretend that there is no danger, Cebron. I thought at first that the matter would soon pass over, but I owned that I was wrong. The unfortunate fact that the creature was chosen as sacred cat for the temple at Bubastis has given its loss a prominence far beyond that which there would have been had it been an ordinary animal of its class, and the affair has made an extraordinary sensation in the city. Still, I cannot but think that an enemy must be at work stirring up the people against me. I suspect, although I may be wrong, that Tylus is concerned in the matter. Since he reappeared after his sudden absence following the night when you overheard that conversation, he has affected a feeling of warmth and friendship which I believe has been entirely feigned. Whether he was one of those you overheard, I am unable to say, but his sudden disappearance certainly favors that idea. At any rate, he can have no real reason for any extra cordiality toward me at present, but would more naturally still feel aggrieved at my rejection of his son as a husband for Misa. I thought at first when you told me what you had overheard that possibly it was a plot against my life. Now I feel sure of it. No doubt they believe, as no measures were taken, that their conversation was not overheard or that only a few words reached the listeners, and his manner to me is designed to allay any suspicion I might have conceived had as much of the conversation as was overheard been reported to me. It has had just the opposite effect. At any rate an enemy is at work, and even were you to sacrifice yourself by admitting that you slew the missing animal, not only would your death be the result, but a general ruin would fall upon us. The mob would easily be taught to believe that I must to a great extent be responsible. The opinions I have expressed would be quoted against me, and even the favour of the king could not maintain me in my present position in defiance of popular clamour. No, my son, we must stand or fall together. Jethro offered yesterday if I liked to dig up the remains of the cat, carry it away and hide it under some rocks at a distance, but I think the danger would be greater than in allowing matters to remain as they are. It is certain that the house is watched. As you know servants going in and out after nightfall have been rudely hustled and thrown down. Some have been beaten and returned well nice stripped to the skin. I doubt not that these attacks were made in order to discover if they had anything concealed under their garments. Were Jethro to venture upon such an attempt, he might either be attacked and the cat found upon him, or he might be followed and the place where he hid it marked down. Things must go on as they are. Amerys did not tell Chebron the whole of the conversation he had had with Jethro, after declining his offer to endeavour to dispose of the body of the cat elsewhere, he said, But Jethro, although I cannot accept this perilous enterprise you have offered to undertake, I will entrust you with a charge that will show you how I confide in your devotion to my family. Should this storm burst, should the populace of this town once become thoroughly imbued with the idea that the sacred cat has been slain here, there will be an outburst of fanatical rage which will for the time carry all before it. For myself I care absolutely nothing. I am perfectly willing to die as soon as my time comes. I have done my work through the best of my power, and can meet the mighty one with uplifted head. I have wronged no man, and have laboured all my life for the good of the people. I have never spared myself and am ready for my rest, but I would feign save Chebron and Miza from harm. Even in their wrath the populace will not injure the women, but Miza without a protector might fall into evil hands. As to her, however, I can do nothing, but Chebron I would save. If he grows up he will, I think, do good in the world. He has not the strength and vigor of Amuba, but he is not behind other lads of his age. He has been well educated. His mind is active and his heart good. I look to you, Jethro, to save him, if it be possible, with Amuba, for I fear that Amuba is in as much danger as he is. Should the slaves be seized and questioned and perhaps flogged till they say what they know, the fact would be sure to come out that the two lads were together among the animals on the morning before the cat was missed. It will be noticed, too, that they took with them their bows and arrows. It will therefore be assumed that the responsibility of the act lies upon both of them. Chebron I know would proclaim the truth if he had an opportunity for speech, but an angry crowd does not stop to listen and the same fate would be for them both. You who are a stranger to our manners can hardly conceive the frenzy of excitement and rage in which the population of Egypt are thrown by the killing of a cat. I doubt whether even the king's person would be held sacred were the guilt of such an offense brought home to him, and of course the fact that this unfortunate beast was to have gone to the temple of Bubastis makes its death a matter ten times graver than ordinary. Therefore, should the storm burst, there is no hope for either of them but in flight. The question is, whether could they fly? Certainly they would be safe nowhere in Egypt, nor were it possible that they could journey north and reach the sea. Could they do so before the news reached the ports? Naturally messengers would be sent to the frontier towns, and even the governors of the provinces lying east of the Great Sea would hear of it, and could they leave the country and cross the desert they might be seized and sent back on their arrival? For the same reason the routes from here to the ports on the Arabian Sea are closed to them. It seems to me that their only hope of safety lies in reaching the country far up the Nile and gaining Mero, over whose people the authority of Egypt is but a shadow. Then possibly they might someday reach the Arabian Sea, cross that and pass up through the country east of the Great Sea, and traveling by the route by which you came hither reach your country. Long before they could leave the savage tribes and start upon their journey, this matter would have been forgotten, and whatever dangers might befall them, that of arrest for participation in this matter would not be among them. I know that your fidelity and friendship for the son of your late king would cause you to risk all dangers and hardships for his sake, and that if bravery and prudence could take him safely through such terrible dangers as would be encountered in such a journey as I speak of, you will conduct him through them. I ask you to let Chébron share your protection, and to render him such service as you will give to Amuba. I can promise that willingly, my Lord, Jethro answered, he has treated Amuba more as a brother than a servant since we came here, and I will treat him as if he were a brother to Amuba. Now that danger threatens, the journey you speak of would indeed be a long and dangerous one, but I agree with you that only by accomplishing it is there even a chance of escape. Then I commit my son to your charge, Jethro, and I do so with full confidence that if it be possible for him to make this journey in safety he will do so. I have already placed in the hands of Chébron the embalmer, a large sum of money. You can trust him absolutely. It is through my patronage that he has risen from being a small worker to be the master of one of the largest businesses in Egypt, and he has the embalming of all the sacred animals belonging to our temple and several others. He will hide the boys for a time until you are ready to start on your journey. When you are once a few days south of Thebes you will be fairly safe from pursuit, for they will never think of looking for you in that direction, but will make sure that you will attempt to leave the country either by sea, by the eastern desert, or that you may possibly try to reach some of the tribes in the west, and so to go down upon the great sea there. I thought at first that this might be the best direction, but the tribes are all subject to us and would naturally regard Egyptians going among them as fugitives from justice, and so hand them over to us. You can rely upon me, my lord, to carry out your directions and do all that is possible to serve the two lads. What the country through which we have to pass is like, or its inhabitants I know not, but at least we will do our best to reach the Arabian sea as you direct. Amuba is hardy and strong, and Chebran, though less powerful in frame, is courageous and able to use his weapons. We should, of course, travel in disguise, but you spoke something about your daughter, in what way can I serve her? I have now accompanied her in her walks for months, and would lay down my life for her. I fear that you can do nothing, a Mary said after a pause. We have many friends, one of whom will doubtless receive her. At first I would, if it were possible, that she should go to some relatives of mine who live at Amila, fifty miles up the river. She was staying with them two years ago and will know the house, but I do not see how you could take her. The boys will be sufficient charge on your hands. She will have her mother with her, and though I fear that the latter has little real affection for her, having no time to think of ought but her own pleasure and amusement, she will be able to place her among the many friends she has. It is not her present so much I am thinking of as her future. I should like my little Miza to marry happily. She is a little self-willed and has been indulged, and although, of course, she would marry as I arrange for her, I would not give her to anyone who was not altogether agreeable to her. I fear that should anything happen to me the same consideration might not be paid to her inclinations. However, Jethro, I see no manner in which you can be useful to Miza. So far as she is concerned, things must be left to take their own course. I trust, Jethro said, that your forebodings will not be verified. I cannot believe that an absurd suspicion can draw away the hearts of the people from one whom they have so respected as yourself. Amaris shook his head. The people are always fickle, Jethro, and easily led, and their love and respect for the gods renders it easy for anyone who works on that feeling to lash them into fury. All else is as nothing in their eyes in comparison with their religion. It is blind worship, if you will, but it is a sincere one. Of all the people in the world, there are none to whom religion counts so much as to the Egyptians. It is interwoven with all their daily life. Their feasts and processions are all religious. They eat and drink and clothe themselves according to its decrees, and undertake no action, however trifling, without consulting the gods. Thus, therefore, while in all other respects obedience is paid to the law, they are maddened by any supposed insult to their religion or any breach of its observances. I know that we are in danger. The ideas that I have held of the regeneration of the people by purifying their religious beliefs have been used as weapons against me. I know from what has come to my ears that it has been hinted among them that in spite of my high office I have no respect for the gods. The accusation is false, but nonetheless dangerous for that. Nothing is more difficult than to expose or annihilate a falsehood. It spreads like wildfire, and the clearest demonstration of its falsity fails to reach a tithe of those who believe it. However, it is needless to speak of it now. You know what I wish you to do if danger comes. Get the boys away, and conduct them to the place I have indicated. If they are from home, seek them and take them there. Do not waste time in vain attempts to suck or me. If you are attacked, and this may possibly be the case, make, I pray, you no resistance, save such as may be needed to get away. Above all, do not try to interfere on my behalf. One man, though endowed with supernatural strength, cannot overcome a mob, and your trying to aid me would not benefit me, and might cost you your life, and so deprive Cebron and Amuba of their protector. Jethro promised strictly to follow the instructions he had received, and to devote himself in case of need solely to ensuring the safety of the boys. Two days later Amaries sent Cebron and Amuba away to the farm, and told them to remain there until he sent for them. You cannot go in and out here without unpleasantness, he said, and had best be away. Your presence here can be of no use, and you are probably quite as much suspected as I am. As to your mother and sister, the present state of things is inconvenient to them, but that is all. There can be no danger for them, however violent a mob they would not molest females. Why should not you also, father, go away until the trouble is past? I cannot leave my duties Cebron, nor would it benefit me if I did. I am convinced that this cry against us is a mere pretext which has been seized by enemies who dare not attack me openly. Were I to depart from Thebes, my absence would be denounced as a proof of my guilt, and the people be inflamed more and more against me, and nowhere in Egypt should I be safe. My only course is to face the storm, trusting to the integrity of my life, to the absence of any deed which could offend the great God I believe in, and to the knowledge that my life is in his hands, when it is his will, and not before, it will return to him who gave it me. Could you not apply to the king for guards? The king spoke to me yesterday at the termination of the council, a Mary's replied, and told me that he had been informed of the murmurs of the populace against me. He said that as one of his most trusted councillors, and as a high priest of Osiris, he knew that the charges against me were baseless, but that in view of the proneness of the people of Thebes to excitement and tumult, he should be glad to order a company of soldiers to keep guard over my house. I refused. I said that I was conscious of no evil, that none could say that I was slack in my ministrations in the temple, or that I had ever spoken a word in disrespect of our religion, that as for the disappearance of the sacred cat, of which so much had been made, I had had no hand in it, and that whatever had happened to it had been I was sure the result of accident. Were I to have soldiers placed to guard me, it would be a confession that I was conscious of ill-doing, and knew that I had forfeited the protection of the gods. It would, too, help to keep up the talk and excitement which I trusted would die away ere long. Chebran did not think of further questioning the orders of Ameris, and an hour later he and Amuba rode out to the farm. Before they started Ameris had a long talk with Chebran, and told him that he had placed him in charge of Jethro in the event of any popular outbreak taking place. Remember, Chebran, he said, that whatever comes of this affair you are not to blame yourself for the accident of killing the cat. All things are in the hands of the Great God, and your arrow could not have struck the twig and flown straight to the heart of that creature had it not been his will. Moreover, you must always remember that the loss of this cat is but a pretext for the tumult. The populists believe that they are angry on account of the loss of the sacred cat, whereas in fact they are but instruments in the hands of my enemies. I have no doubt whatever now that the plot you overheard in the temple was directed against my life, and had not the loss of the cat happened opportunely and served them as a lever with which to work against me the plot would have taken some other form. I trust sincerely that whatever fate may befall your sister she may never have to marry the son of the man who has plotted against my life. But it is no use thinking of that now. Should all happen before we meet again, remember I have placed you in the hands of Jethro, and have delegated my authority to him. He is shrewd, strong, and courageous, and can be relied upon to do what is best. In Amuba you will find a friend who will be as a brother to you. So fare well, my son, and may the great one who rules all things keep you. A stay at the farm had hitherto been regarded by Chabron as a delightful change from the city, but upon this occasion he proceeded there sad and depressed in spirit. Even here we are watched you see Chabron, Amuba said as they rode along. Do you see those runners behind us? Doubtless they will follow us to the farm, and set a watch upon us there. However there at least they can search as much as they like, and find out nothing. The Cat of Bubastis by G. A. Henty CHAPTER XII. THE DEATH OF AMERIS The days passed slowly at the farm. The lads went out listlessly to watch the cattle treading in the seed and the other operations on the lands, but they were too anxious as to what was going on in the city to feel the slightest interest in the work of the farm. The second and fourth days after their coming Jethro had paid them a short visit to say that there was no change in the situation. The officer in command of some troops whom the king had sent down to within a short distance of the house had come down to the mob as they were shouting outside the gate, and threatened them with the severe displeasure of the king unless they desisted from their demonstrations, but had been answered with shouts, The gods are above all kings, and not even kings can protect those who insult them. A mainsay, he said, on the occasion of his second visit, had left the house and taken up her abode with some relations in the city, declaring that the anxiety and disgrace were killing her. She had wished to take Miza with her, but the girl had positively refused to leave her father, and as her mother seemed indifferent whether she went or stayed, she had had her way. In a private talk with Amuba, Jethro said, It is a relief to us all that she has gone. She was bad enough before you went, but for the last three days she has been doing nothing but weep and bewail herself till the house has been well nigh unbearable. A mares goes backward and forward between his house and the temple, walking unmoved through those gathered near his door, who are for the most part quiet when he passes, being abashed by the presence of one who has so long been held in high esteem among them. As for Miza, she seems to think only of her father. The Hebrew girl is a great comfort to her, for while the example of their mistress and the shouts of the populace have terribly scared the other maids, and they go about the house in fear and trembling, Ruth is quiet and self-contained as if she were again in her quiet cottage with her grandfather. She greatly comforts and sustains Miza, and a mares said to me only this morning that Miza was fortunate indeed, in that Cebron had furnished her with so brave and steadfast a companion at a time like this. On the evening of the fifth day Jethro came suddenly in at the house. The boys started to their feet as he entered, for they saw at once that something terrible had happened. His face was stained with blood. His breath came short, for he had run for the six intervening miles between the farm and the city at the top of his speed. Quick, my lord, he said, there is not a moment to lose. The whole matter has been discovered, and there long they will be here in pursuit of you. What of my father, Cebron exclaimed? I will tell you all about it afterward, Cebron. There is no time for talking now. His orders must be instantly carried out. Where are the fellows who are spying over you? One of them is probably seated outside at the entrance to the farm. You must have passed him as you entered, Amuba replied. I have not seen more than one at a time since they first came. Take up your arms and follow me, Jethro said, taking a heavy staff from the corner of the room, and followed by the lads he went outside the gate. It was now getting dark, and as they passed out a man standing near approached as if to see who they were. Without a word, Jethro sprang forward and brought down the staff with tremendous force upon his head, and he fell without a cry upon the road. There is no fear of his giving the alarm, Jethro said, grimly, and set off in a run in the direction of the city at a pace that taxed the powers of Cebron to keep up with. Once or twice as he ran the boy gasped out a question as to his father's safety, but Jethro did not appear to hear him, but kept on at a steady pace. Presently he stopped suddenly and listened. A vague confused sound was heard in front of them, and Jethro quitted the road and took his course over the fields. Amuba heard the sound increase, and was presently conscious that a crowd of people were passing along the road. It is well I managed to get through, Jethro said. They would have made short work of you both had they arrived at the farm and found you unprepared. Jethro did not return to the road, but kept on in an oblique line toward the foot of the hills near the city. Where are you going, Jethro? Amuba asked at last. I am going to Cigran the embalmer. Amerys has arranged with him to hide you there for the present. The boys knew the place, for they had more than once been there to watch the process of embalming the bodies and preparing them for burial. It was an extensive establishment, for Cigran was one of the most celebrated embalmers of the day, and not only did he embalm, but he kept with him men who performed the further processes required, namely the wrapping up in the mummy cloths, and the construction of the great cases and the placing the bodies in them ready to be handed over to their friends. These were usually distinct and separate trades, the embalmers generally returning the bodies to the friends after they had completed the process of embalming. Another set of men then prepared the corpse for burial, while the mummy cases or sarcophagi were prepared by men of another trade. Of the three trades that of the embalmers was held in by far the highest respect, the work being considered as sacred, and the embalmers' ranking and associating with the priests. In Cigran's establishment the men of the three trades worked apart and separate from each other, and although Cigran was in fact at the head of all, he personally superintended only the embalming, the men of the other trades being directed by their own masters, and it was as if the three establishments had been placed near each other simply for the purpose of convenience. When they reached the house of Cigran, Jethro went forward alone and knocked at the door, an attendant presented himself. Give this ring to Cigran, Jethro said, and say that the bearer of it would vain speak to him here. In two or three minutes Cigran himself came out. I have brought the lads hither in obedience to the order of our marys, Jethro said. He told me that he had arranged the matter with you, and a marys himself, Cigran asked. He is no more, Jethro said. The villains who sought his ruin have triumphed, and a furious mob this afternoon broke into his house and murdered him. Cibran does not know it yet, though he cannot but suspect that something terrible has happened, as I would not answer his questions, fearing that he might break down when his strength was most needed. The Egyptian uttered an exclamation of sorrow. Fools and madmen, he exclaimed, in all the land none were more worthy of honor than a marys. He was just and generous, ever ready to befriend those who needed his aid, calm in judgment and powerful in counsel. Surely the gods must be angry with Egypt when they suffered such a one to fall a victim to the passions of the mob. But where are the lads? I myself will conduct them to the place I have already prepared. The workers have all left, so there is no fear in passing through the house. At Jethro's call the lads came up. Follow me, my lord, Chigran said to Cibran, I have had everything in readiness for your reception for some days, would that your visit had been made on some more cheerful occasion. The embalmer led the way through the portion of the house occupied by himself, then he entered a large apartment whose floor was covered with sawdust. Here on slabs of stone lay a number of bodies of those in the first state of preparation, while in a still larger apartment behind were a number of stone baths, each long enough to contain a body. These were occupied by the corpses which had undergone their first state of preparation, and which were now lying covered with a strong solution of salt and water. Beyond again were other chambers for the reception of bodies embalmed by other processes than that of salt. Passing through a door at the rear the lads found themselves in the open air again. Above them the hill rose in a precipitous rock. Chigran led the way along the foot of this for some little distance, and then stopped at a portal hewn in the rock itself. All this time he had carried a lighted lamp, although the chambers in which the dead were lying were illuminated with lamps hanging from the ceiling. Upon entering the portal and closing the door behind him he produced from a niche in the wall several other lamps, lighted them, and gave one to each of his companions. This, he said, was cut by a wealthy inhabitant of Thebes centuries ago as a tomb for himself and his family. What happened to him I know not, but the place was never used beyond this chamber which has been utilized for mummies of sacred animals. Beyond in the main chamber everything is as it was left by those who formed it. There I have during the last ten days privately stored up such articles as would be necessary for you, and I trust that you will not find yourself uncomfortable. Upon entering the apartment which was some twenty feet square they found that the embalmer had not exaggerated what he had done. A table with several settles stood in the middle, three couches piled with rushes were placed against the wall, mats had been laid down to cover the floor and give warmth to the feet, and lamps ready for burning stood upon the table. In a corner stood two jars of wine with drinking vessels. All is here except food, Chagran said, that I could not prepare until I knew you were coming, but be assured that you shall be served regularly. There is no fear of intrusion from any employed in the establishment. They have no occasion to come out to the back of the house, and probably few know of the existence of this tomb. Should I have any ground for believing that there is danger I will take other measures for your concealment. Should you need anything do not hesitate to say so. I owe my position to the patronage of my Lord Ameriz, and there is nothing I would not do to ensure the safety of his son. And now my Lord I will retire, and will presently send you by a trusty servant the food of which I have no doubt that you stand in need. Chagran said a few words in thanks, but he was too anxious and full of grief to say more. Directly Chagran had left he turned to Jethro. Now Jethro tell me all, I am prepared for the worst. My dear father is no more. Is it not so? It is too true, Chagran. Jethro replied, your noble father has been killed by a base and cowardly mob urged on by some villains of the priesthood. Chagran threw himself down on one of the couches and wept bitterly, while Amuba was almost as deeply affected, for Ameriz had behaved to him with the kindness of a father. It was not until the following morning that Chagran was sufficiently recovered to ask Jethro to relate to him the details of his father's death. I was in the garden, Jethro began. Miza and Ruth were in a boat on the pond, and I was towing them when I heard a tumult at the gate. I pulled the boat ashore, and hurried them up to the house and told Miza to retire to her apartment, and that she was not to leave at whatever noise she might hear, that being her father's command. Then I went out to the gate, just as I got there it fell in, and a crowd of people rushed through. As there were only myself and two or three of the gardeners who had run up, we could do nothing to stop them. Just as they reached the house, your father came out into the portico and said, Good people, what will you have? Those in front of him were silent a moment abashed by his presence and the calm manner in which he spoke. But others behind set up the cry, Where is the sacred cat? We will find it. While others again shouted out, Down with the impious priest, a Mary's replied, You can search the place if you will, though indeed it seems that you need not my permission, seeing that you have taken the matter into your own hands. Only I pray you enter not the house. There are the ladies of my family and other women there, and I swear to you that neither alive nor dead is the cat to be found there. The cry was raised, Let us search the garden. In all this it struck me that there were two parties among the mob, the one ignorant and bigoted, believing really that an offense had been committed against their gods, the other men who kept in the background, but who were the moving spirits. I was not pleased when I saw the crowd so readily abandon the idea of searching the house and scatter themselves over the garden, for it seemed to me that from one of the gardeners or others they might have obtained some sort of clue that might put them on the road to discovery. I saw that several among the crowd had with them dogs trained for the chase, and this made me more uneasy. I told one of the men to run at once and summon the troops, and then followed the crowd. I was the more uneasy to see that without wasting time in searching elsewhere they made straight to the enclosure where the animals were kept. No sooner did they get there than they began to search, urging on the dogs to assist them. Suddenly I started, for there was a touch upon my shoulder, and looking round I saw amaries. Remember my instructions, Jethro, he said in a quiet voice, I commit Chébron to your charge. Oh, my lord, I exclaimed, why are you here? The troops are but a short distance away. Why do you not place yourself under their protection? Because I have done no wrong, Jethro, he replied, calmly. I have not offended the gods, nor have I ever wronged one of my countrymen. Why should I fly? At this moment there was a yell of rage among the crowd, and I knew that one of those accursed hounds must have smelled the dead cat, and scratched the earth from over it. Then I heard a voice cry above the rest, see, even now the wounds are manifest, it has been pierced by an arrow, even as I told you, the sacred cat has been slain. Then the crowd turned. Fly, Jethro, amaries said, it is my last command. But even then I could not obey him. There was death in the eyes of those who were rushing toward him, shouting, down with the despiser of the gods, down with the slayer of the sacred cat, and seeing that I rushed at them. After that all was confusion. I had caught up a staff from the portico as I passed, and with it I struck right and left. Many fell, I know, before they closed with me. Blows were showered upon me, and the staff then fell from my hands. But I fought with my naked fists. Several times I was beaten down, but each time I rose again. Then, as in a dream, I seemed to hear your father's command. I commit chaperon to your care, and I burst my way through them, and threw myself upon a group standing further on. But I saw as I broke through them that I could do nothing there. Your father lay on the ground, looking as calm and peaceful as when he had spoken to me but five minutes before. But his white garments were stained with blood, and the half of a dagger stood up just over his heart. There was no time to see more. His last command was to be obeyed, and shaking off those who tried to hold me, and evading the blows aimed at me with their knives, I fled. As I rushed out through the gate, I saw the troops I had sent for coming toward the house. But they were too late now. Besides, some of my pursuers were close behind me, and so without a pause I took the road to the farm. I think that is all I have to tell you. Chebran was weeping bitterly, and Amuba, who was himself deeply affected, went over to him. Consol yourself, Chebran. I know what you are feeling now, but do not blame yourself too greatly for this calamity. You know what your father said, that it was but an accident, and that it was doubtless the will of the great God that your arrow should fly as it did, and he himself declared that he believed that all this was but the result of conspiracy, and that, as we heard in the temple, there were men determined to take his life. A few minutes later the embalmer entered bringing them food. He saw at once that Chebran had been informed of the fate that had befallen his father. Have you heard ought of what is passing in the city? Amuba asked him. Yes, Chebran answered, not else is talked about. Many of those concerned in the deed escaped either by the entrance before the soldiers arrived there, or over the walls, but many were seized and are now in prison for their sacrilegious deed in raising their hand against the person of the High Priest of Osiris. There were two mults in the city during the night, many maintaining that the deed was well done, others the contrary. Those who had been taken all declared that they had been informed by one who said he knew it for certain that the cat was buried in the enclosure, and that it had been slain by you and my young Lord here, as you had been seen going with your bows and arrows to the enclosure and were there for some time after which the cat was never seen again. The general opinion is that though the prisoners taken will be punished, some with flogging, some with death, your lives are also assuredly forfeited, and that even the friendship of the king for your father would not avail to protect you, for that he like others must obey the law, and that the law of Egypt is that whosoever shall take the life of a cat shall be slain. I am perfectly willing to die, Chebran said, and my greatest regret now is that I did not follow my first impulse and denounce myself as the accidental killer of the cat. No blame could have then been attached to my father or to any but myself. The disgrace would have fallen upon your whole family, the embalmer said, for those nearly related to one who performed such an impious action must need suffer with him. Not that I blame you, Chebran, for I know that your father did not do so. He told me when he arranged that I should, if needs be, furnish you with a hiding place, that although you might need a refuge it would be for no fault of your own. I do not understand how he could have said so, seeing the terrible guilt of even accidentally taking the life of a cat, and specially of this cat which was sacred above all others in the land. Still I know your father's wisdom equalled his goodness, and although I own that I cannot understand his saying, I am content to accept it, and will do all in my power to save you. Doubtless the search after you will be a hot one, but we must hope for the best. I will go out and see what is doing, Jethro said. It may be that it will be more safe to move away at once than to remain here. In that case, the embalmer said, you will need to be disguised before you start. It is known that Amaris had two fair-skinned slaves, and that one of them was concerned with my young Lord here in the matter, also that the other, after fighting furiously in the garden, and, as I heard, slaying several of his master's enemies, managed to make his escape. Fortunately I have the materials at hand. We use paints and stains in abundance for the seer-claws of the dead, and the decorations of their coffins, and I can easily make you as dark as any of our people. That, with one of my wigs and Egyptian garments, will alter you so that, so long as you do not look any one fairly in the face, there will be no fear whatever of your discovery, but you must not look up, for even when I have blackened your lashes the lightness of your eyes would at once betray you. In half an hour Jethro was transformed into a middle-class citizen of Thebes, and started on his mission of inquiry. During the day some officials came to the establishment and made many inquiries after the missing lads, not contented with denials, they went through the whole buildings, examining all the chambers closely. It is known, they said to Chigran, that they several times came here, and that Amerys was a patron of yours. It is our duty to search any house where shelter might have been given them, though we can hardly believe that any one would hold communication far less receive into this house persons guilty of such an act of sacrilege as they have been. However there is no chance of their escaping us. Messages have been sent all over Egypt. Moreover as they had no horses they cannot have gone far. Yours is the first house we have searched, for the servants all say the same, that the son of Amerys was frequently here. He was not here very frequently, Chigran replied, though he certainly came sometimes, and was interested in watching the various processes. Chebran had in fact been several times to the embalmers. Amuba had accompanied him, although he himself would have preferred staying away, for to him the whole scene was repulsive. Chebran's temperament differed, however widely from that of his friend. The dead were sacred in Egypt, and all the rites and ceremonies connected with them bore a religious character. They had no fear of death, and deemed it but a sleep that would last three thousand years. It was for this reason that the bodies of human beings and the sacred animals were so carefully embalmed and laid away, either in massive tombs or rock-hewn caverns. They believed, and as has been proven rightly, that the remains so carefully prepared would endure for that time, and thought that when the spirit returned to it it would resume its former shape in all particulars. Thus the dead of all ranks were embalmed. The process, however, in the case of the wealthy differing widely from that to which the bodies of the poorer classes were submitted. There were many kinds of embalming, varying according to the means of the family of the deceased. The process employed for the wealthy was a long and expensive one. First an official called a scribe marked on the side of the corpse where an aperture should be made, this was cut by another person who, after doing so, fled, pursued with execrations and pelted with stones, as although necessary the operation was considered a dishonorable one, and as an injury to a sacred body. Through this aperture the embalmers removed the whole of the internal organs, which, after being cleansed and embalmed in spices, were deposited in four vases which were subsequently placed in the tomb with the coffins. Each of these vases contained the parts sacred to a separate deity. The body was then filled with aromatic resin and spices and rubbed for thirty days with a mixture of the same ingredients. In the case of the very wealthy the whole body was then gilded, in other cases only the face and portions of the body. The skin of the mummy so preserved is found to be of an olive color, dry and flexible as if tanned. The features are preserved and appear as during life, and the teeth, hair of the head, and eyebrows are well preserved. In some cases instead of the aromatic resin the bodies were filled with bitumen. In others salt Peter was used, the bodies being soaked in it for a long time and finally filled with resin and bitumen. In the second quality of mummies, those of persons of the middle class, the incision was not made, but resin nor bitumen was used and the bodies soaked in salt for a long time. In the case of the poorer classes the bodies were simply dipped into liquid pitch. None of these however were treated in the establishment of Chigran who operated only upon the bodies of the wealthy. After the preparation was complete the body passed from the hands of the embalmers into those of another class who enveloped it in its coverings. These were linen bandages which in the case of the rich were sometimes a thousand yards in length. It was then enclosed in a sort of case fitting closely to the mummied body. This case was richly painted, covered in front with a network of beads and bugles arranged in a tasteful form, the face being overlaid with thick gold leaf and the eyes made of enamel. This again was placed in other cases, sometimes three or four in number, all similarly ornamented with painting and gilding and the hole enclosed in a sarcophagus or coffin of wood or stone profusely decorated with painting and sculpture. It was then handed over to the family of the deceased and afterward taken in solemn procession across the sacred lake followed by the mourning relatives throwing dust upon their heads. Every Egyptian city had a lake of this kind, either natural or artificial. Notice was given beforehand to the judges and public of the day on which the funeral would take place and these assembled at the side of the lake where the decorated boat in readiness for the passage was lying. Before the coffin could be placed upon the boat it was lawful for any person present to bring forward his accusation against the deceased. If it could be proved that he had led an evil life the judge declared that the body was deprived of the accustomed sepulcher. If the accused failed to establish his charge he was subject to the heaviest penalties. If there was no accuser or if the accusation was not proved the judge declared the dead man innocent. The body was placed in the boat and carried across the lake and then either taken to the family catacombs or to the room specially prepared for its reception in the house of the deceased. The greatest grief and shame were felt by the family of those deprived of the right of sepulcher for they believed that thereby he was excluded from the mansions of the blessed and that in the course of the transmigrations through which his spirit would pass before it again return to a human form it might be condemned to inhabit the body of an unclean animal. As none from the lowest to the very highest rank could escape the ordeal of public accusation after death there can be little doubt that this ceremony exercised a most wholesome effect upon the life of the Egyptians and was most efficacious in repressing tyranny, cruelty, and vice of all kinds among them. Even the most powerful kings were restrained by the knowledge that should they give cause of complaint to their subjects they were liable after death to be accused and deprived of the right of lying in the mighty tombs they had so carefully prepared for their reception. Chebran's brain, therefore, while he was watching the process of embalming, was busy with thoughts and fancies as to the future of the spirit that had inhabited the body he looked at. Had it already passed into the body of some animal? Was it still disconnected and searching for an abode? Through what changes would it pass and how long would be the time before it returned to this human tenement? For the three thousand years was believed to be the shortest period of transition through the various changes in the case of the man of the purest and most blameless life, while in other cases the period was vastly extended. As Amuba was not gifted with a strong imagination, and saw in the whole matter merely the preservation of a body which, in his opinion, had much better have been either buried or placed on a funeral pile and destroyed by fire, these visits to the embalmers had constituted the most unpleasant part of his duties as Chebran's companion. Jethro had anticipated when he left that his visit to the city would be of short duration, and that he should return in an hour at the latest, but as the day passed and night fell without his return the lads became exceedingly anxious, and feared that something serious had taken place to detain him. Either his disguise had been detected and he had been seized by the populace, or some other great misfortune must have befallen him. It had been arranged indeed that they should that night have started upon their journey, and Jethro after his return was to have made out a list of such articles as he deemed necessary for their flight, and these Chebran had promised to purchase for him. Their plans, however, were completely upset by his non-appearance, and late in the afternoon Chebran himself went down to the city to ascertain if he could, if Jethro had been discovered, for his name had been associated with that of the boys. It was not believed indeed that he had taken any actual part in the slaying of the cat, but it was deemed certain from his close connection with them, and his disappearance shortly before the time they had suddenly left the farm, that he was in league with them. Chebran returned with the news that so far as he could learn nothing had been heard of Jethro. No other subject was talked of in the city but the event of the previous day, and the indignation of the people was equally divided between the murderers of Amaris and the slayers of the sacred cat. The boys were full of grief and perplexity. To Amuba Jethro had taken the place of an elder brother. He had cheered him in the darkest moment of his life and had been his friend and companion ever since, and the thought that ill might have befallen him filled him with sorrow. With this was mingled an intense anxiety as to the future. Without Jethro's strong arm and advice how was this terrible journey to be accomplished? Chebran was in no state either to act or plan. A deep depression had seized upon him. He cared not whether he escaped or not, and would indeed have hailed detection and death as boons. Intense therefore was Amuba's relief when late in the evening a footstep was heard in the outer chamber, and Jethro entered. He sprang to his feet with a cry of gladness. Oh Jethro, thank the gods you have returned. I have suffered terribly on your account. What has happened to you and so long delayed your return here? There is fresh trouble, Jethro replied in a stern voice. Fresh trouble, Jethro? In what way? And even Jethron, who had scarcely sat up languidly on his couch on Jethro's entrance, looked up with some interest for Jethro's answer. Miza has been carried off, he replied grimly. Chebran sprang to his feet. He was devoted to his sister, and for a moment this new calamity effaced the remembrance of those which had preceded it. Miza carried off, he exclaimed at the same moment as Amuba. Who has done it? When was it done? How did you learn it? Were questions which broke quickly from the lads. On leaving here I went as arranged, down into the city, Jethro replied. There was no difficulty in learning what there was to learn, for all business seemed suspended and the streets were full of groups of people talking over the events of yesterday. The whole city is shaken by the fact that two such terrible acts of sacrilege as the slaying of the sacred cat of Bubastis and the murder of a high priest of Osiris should have taken place within so short a time of each other. All prophesy that some terrible calamity will befall the land, and that the offended gods will in some way wreak their vengeance upon it. A royal order has been issued in joining all men to search for and arrest every person concerned in the murder of Amaris, and doubtless the severest penalties will be dealt to them. The same decree orders your arrest wherever found, and enjoins upon all officials throughout the kingdom to keep a strict watch in the towns and villages, to examine any strangers who may present themselves, and to send hither bound in chains, all young men who may fail to give a satisfactory account of themselves. Sacrifices will be offered up at all the temples throughout the land, to appease the wrath of the gods. Messengers have been dispatched in all directions in the provinces, and all seemed to consider it certain that in a few hours our hiding place would be discovered. All made sure that we had made either for the sea coast or the desert on one side or the other, and as the messengers would reach the coast long before we could do so, it was considered impossible for us to get through unnoticed. Then I went to the house not intending to go in, but simply to see if those in the neighborhood had heard any further news. The gates were open, and quite a crowd of people were passing in and out to gratify their curiosity by gazing on the scene. Relying upon my disguise I went in with the rest. None entered the house, for a guard of soldiers had been stationed there. I passed round at the back and presently elliptist the old female slave came out to fetch water. I spoke to her in my assumed character, but she only shook her head and made no reply. Then believing that she, like all the others in the house, was attached to the family and could be trusted, I spoke to her in my natural voice, and she at once knew me. I made a sign to her to be silent, and withdrew with her alone to some bushes. The tears were streaming down her face. O Jethro, she exclaimed, did the gods ever before hurl such calamities upon a household? My dear master is dead. My Lord Chebran is hunted for as men hunt for a wild beast. My dear young mistress Misa is missing. Missing, I exclaimed, what do you mean? Have you not heard it? She said, I have heard nothing. I cried, tell me all. Just after the gates were beaten down and the crowd rushed along into the garden, four men burst into the house and ran from chamber to chamber until they entered that of my young mistress. We heard a scream, and a moment later they came out again bearing a figure enveloped in a wrapping. We strove to stop them, but there were not but women in the house. They struck two of us to the ground and rushed out. Some of us ran out into the garden crying for aid, but there we saw a terrible scene. A great struggle was going on, and presently you broke forth, covered with blood and wounds, and ran swiftly past. None heeded us or our cries. When the soldiers arrived we told the officer what had happened, but it was too late then, and nothing could be done. Had there been a guard over the house, all these things would never have happened. I asked her if she could describe to me the appearance of the men. She said that they were attired as respectable citizens, but that from their language and manner she believed that they were ruffians of the lowest class. For a time I was so overwhelmed with this news that I could think of nothing, but I went out and roamed through the streets. At last I bethought me of the girl Ruth. She was with Miza at the time and might, if questioned, be able to tell me more than the old woman had done. I therefore returned, but had to wait for three hours before old Liptis came out again. I want to speak to Ruth, I said, send her out to me. Ruth has gone, she said. Gone! I repeated where and wither. That we know not. It was not until hours after Miza was carried off that anyone thought of her. We were too overwhelmed with grief at the death of our dear Lord and the loss of Miza to give a thought to the young Israelite. Then one asked where was she? No one had noticed her. We went to Miza's chamber, thinking that the villains who carried our young mistress off might have slain her, but there were no signs of her there. But she was with Miza, was she not? I asked. When the attack was made, did she not pass in with her when she came in from the garden? Yes, she replied, they came in together and passed through us, for we gathered in the front chamber, being greatly frightened at the clamor at the gate. As they passed us, our young mistress said, Keep silent, what is the use of screaming and crying? I asked if she was sure Ruth was not carried off as well as Miza. Quite sure, she said, one bore a figure, and the other three cleared the way. And that was the last time I asked that any of you saw the Israelite? It was, she answered. She must have passed out by the door at the end of the passage, which she might well have done without being observed by any of us. This was a new mystery, why Ruth should have fled I could not guess, because as soon as the soldiers appeared there was no more danger in remaining. Besides, I did not think Ruth was one to shrink from danger. However, there was no more to be learned, and I again went out into the streets.