 CHAPTER XIII. THE SEARCH FOR MISA. Perhaps Ruth had gone to tell my mother that Misa was lost, Chebran suggested, when Jethro had gone so far in his story. "'That could hardly have been,' Jethro replied, for I should have told you that your mother returned early this morning to the house with many relatives, and that all were weeping and mourning round the body of your father. Had Ruth gone to her, she would either have returned with her, or Liptus would have heard where she was. Did you hear how my mother bore her, Miss Fortune's Jethro?' She was overwhelmed with grief, Liptus said, at your father's death, so overwhelmed that she seemed to have no thought for anything else. She had, of course, been told the night before that Misa was missing, but it seemed to make no impression upon her. She only said that doubtless friends had carried her off to save her from the danger that Chebran's wickedness had brought upon us all. This morning she made some further inquiries, but did not seem in any serious alarm, but the magistrates, when they came last night to inquire into the whole matter, took note of Misa having been carried off, and when on their coming again this morning they found that nothing had been heard of her, gave orders that a search should be made for her, and a proclamation was issued this afternoon denouncing punishment on those who carried her off, and enjoining all who could give any information on the subject to present themselves before them immediately. Since I came out from the house I have been wondering about trying to think what is best to be done, and hoping that something might occur to me which would put me upon the track of the villains who carried Misa off. You do not think of carrying out our plans for tomorrow, Jethro? Chebran asked anxiously. We could never go away from here in ignorance of what had become of her. Certainly not, Chebran. I consider it my duty, as well as my inclination, to stay here until she is found. Your father spoke to me of her as well as of you, but as he did not see any way in which we could aid her, he said that she must take her chance, meaning take her chance under the guardianship of your mother to obtain someday a husband whom she could love, but the present misfortune entirely alters the case. She has need of our active help, and whatever are the risks we must postpone our start. Whether you will be able to stay here or not is doubtful. Each day that passes without news being received of your capture in the provinces north of us will increase the belief that you are hiding somewhere in the neighborhood of the city, and in that case the search will become more and more earnest. However, for a day or two we may be safe here, as to that, though, we must abide by Chebran's opinion. He is running no small risk in concealing us here, and if he considers the danger is becoming greater than he is willing to run, we must be take ourselves to the hills. There are lonely spots there where we could lie concealed for a long time, or at least as long as such supplies of food and water as we could carry with us hold out. But at any rate, we must set aside all thought of flight for the present, and devote all our energies to the discovery and rescue of Miza. I do not think we have far to look for the contrivers of the outrage, Amuba said. It seems to me that it is of a peace with the whole of the misfortunes that have befallen us. We know that Amaris refused the request of Tylus for Miza as a wife for his son. After that came the plot which we overheard in the temple for the murder of someone. The knowledge that they were overheard put a stop to that scheme. Then came the stirring up of the people, partly by the story of that unfortunate cat, partly by whispers that Amaris, although High Priest of Osiris, was yet a scornor of the gods. Then came the attack upon the house, in which, while the main body of the mob attacked Amaris, a chosen band carried off Miza. This villain, Tylus, had several motives to spur him on. In the first place, there was anger at the rejection of his son's suit. Next, that he would, at the death of Amaris, naturally succeed to the High Priesthood. Thirdly, he may have thought that if he could obtain possession of Miza and marry her to his son, she would bring with her no small portion of her father's lands as a dowry. With the influence which he as High Priest would have with the king and council, he could rely upon her obtaining a share of the estate, especially as the villain would calculate that Chebran, as well as his father, would be put out of the way. He has only to keep Miza immured until his power as High Priest is consolidated, and then, if he gained the consent of the king to the match, Miza could not refuse to accept the fate prepared for her. I think that you have accurately reasoned out the case, Amuba, and that we have penetrated the whole conspiracy. The question is, what are we to do? It must not be Jethro. Chebran cried excitedly, pacing up and down the chamber. Miza cannot bear Plexo. She spoke of him with something like horror when she heard of the proposal Tylus made. I do not like him myself. He is then lipped and crafty and cruel. Miza had better be dead than married to him. I think I can promise you, Chebran, Jethro said grimly, that that marriage shall never come about. We may not find Miza, who may be hidden either in Tylus's house or in one of the many chambers of the temple or in the caves near it, but at any rate I can find Plexo, and before we leave Egypt I will slay him as well as his father, whom I regard as the murderer of Amaris. I may not be able to do this and to get away, and in that case you must journey alone, but I am not going to quit Egypt and leave them to enjoy the gains of their crime. As he finished speaking Chebran entered. I was coming in to see if Jethro had returned. He was told the reasons for his prolonged absence, the abduction of Miza and the determination to remain and search for her place of concealment. He shook his head. It is a rash resolution. Even were you free to come and go as you choose, your chance of finding out her hiding-place would be small indeed. Hunted as you yourselves are, your quest seems to be an absolutely hopeless one. As to your remaining here long, I think it would be madness. It is not only for myself that I say this, but for you. In the first place there are so many men employed here that your coming in and going out would be sure to be noticed by some one. In the second place the cave would scarcely escape search a second time. Were it not for my workmen I could conceal you in the house, and if I saw men in search of you approaching I could place you in one of the inner casings of the mummies, and put two or three more casings on. Then, lying as you would be among a number of corpses in a similar state of advancement toward burial, none would think of opening the cases. But with so many people about it would be well nigh impossible to do this without observation, unless indeed the search was made at night or after the workmen had departed, which would hardly be likely to happen. Therefore I think it impossible for you to stay here more than another day or two. But there are many caves and burial places higher up on the hillside where you might be concealed. In many of these there are sarcophagi. If we choose one in which there are several coffins I can remove the mummies and their casings into another cave, so that should a party of searchers approach the place you can lie down in the sarcophagus and lower the lid down upon you. It would be a sacrilege to move the dead, Chebran said with a shudder. It would be sacrilege for others, Chebran replied, but not to us, whose business and duty it is to handle the dead. I can replace the mummies in their cases after you have left, and they will be none the worse for their temporary removal. It will be necessary, of course, that there should be no signs of habitation in the cave, nothing to excite their suspicions that it has been disturbed. I think that is a very good plan, Jethro said. We can make sleeping places in the open air near. We shall sleep in the open air on our journey, and it would be no hardship to begin at once. I should think it best to remove to one of these caves at once. There is never any saying when the searchers may be here again. Therefore, if you will, Chebran, I will at early daybreak go with you, choose a cave, and make our arrangements. I think, indeed, that that will be the best plan, the emomer agreed. I will, of course, take care to bring you up every night to store a provisions, and now I will leave you to sleep. It was long, however, before the occupants of the chamber threw themselves upon their piles of rushes. Sometimes they talked of Miza, and discussed all possible plans for discovering where she was concealed. Then they wondered what had become of Ruth, who would be friendless in the great city, and might not have money sufficient to buy a meal with her. She had her ornaments, Jethro said, a silver bracelet that Miza gave her she always wore. She had two silver necklaces and earrings of her own. I should think they had been handed down to her from her mother. They seemed good and would fetch money. Ruth is a shrewt little maid. For though but fifteen years old she has long been accustomed to manage a house, and look after her grandfather. Why she has run away I cannot think, except that perhaps from the noise and tumult she thought that all were going to be killed. But even in that case she would probably have found her way back by this morning, if not sooner. I cannot help thinking myself, Chebran said, that she has followed Miza. Although she has not been here for many months I am sure that she was very fond of her. That she certainly was, Jethro said. I often thought when I was walking behind them that it was pretty to see them together. Miza knew so much more of everything, and yet it was the Hebrew maid who gave her opinion most decidedly, and Miza listened to her as she talked in that grave way of hers as if she had been an elder sister. And you think she might have followed her? I hope that it may have been so, but in that case the women must have seen her. The women were scared out of their senses, Chebran said, and I have no doubt were screaming and ringing their hands and attending to nothing else. If I could but be sure that Ruth is with Miza I should feel less anxious, for I am certain she would be a comfort and support to her. She would indeed, Jethro agreed, and moreover I should have greater hopes of finding where they are concealed, for if it be possible to get away and to spread the alarm I am sure that Ruth would seize the first opportunity promptly. It was but a short time after they lay down that Chebran entered and said that mourning was beginning to break. They at once rose and followed him. He led them along the foot of the hill for some distance, and then turning began to ascend at a spot where it sloped gradually. They passed many tombs, partly erected with masonry, and partly cut out from the rock behind, and it was not until after walking fully half an hour that he stopped before the entrance of one of them. This is the one that I thought of as being suitable for the purpose, he said. It is one of the most lonely, and there is little likelihood of any chance passer coming near it. In the second place I know that the stone door which rolls across the entrance has not been cemented in its place. I know indeed to whom the tomb belongs. The last mummy was placed here but a short time back, and the son of the man then buried told me that he should not have it cemented, because his wife was grievously sick, and he feared would shortly follow his father. Therefore there will be no difficulty in effecting an entry. In the second place there is hard by a small tomb that was cut in the rock and then left, the owners changing their minds and having a larger tomb made lower down the hill. As nothing beyond the chamber and the narrow entrance were made, we can there hide the mummies from this chamber and heap stones and earth over the entrance so that none would suspect its existence. Nothing could be better, Jethro said. Let us set to work and prepare it at once. The stone across the entrance to the tomb, which was but three feet high and of the same width, was pushed back without difficulty and they entered. Four wooden sarcophagi stood there. Jethro waited Chigran in opening three of these. The mummies in their cases were taken out. The outer cases opened and replaced in the coffins after the mummies with the inner cases had been removed from them. These were then carried to the unfinished tomb fifty yards away and their deposited. Stones were then piled together so as to conceal the entrance and the men returned to the tomb. Here you will be perfectly safe, Chigran said. You can keep the stone rolled back unless you see any one approaching and you would be sure to make out any considerable number of searchers mounting the hillside long before they could reach you. Should you see them, you will of course close the door. Enter each of you one of the sarcophagi, lie down in the inner case, close the lid of the sarcophagus and place the lid of the inner case over you. I think it's unlikely in the extreme that any search will be made for you or at any rate a search only of untenanted tombs. The fact of the stone here being left uns cemented is a mere accident probably known only to myself and its owner. It is only as an extreme resource that you could need to take to these hiding places. As far as passers-by are concerned you might remain outside all together, but in that case you would run some risk of being noticed. You may be sure that the hills will be closely scanned and if figures were seen moving about here a party might set out to see whether these were the fugitives so eagerly sought for. Therefore I say during the daytime keep yourselves concealed here. As soon as it is dark you can of course issue out and pass the night wherever you may think fit. We shall certainly follow your advice, Jethro said. Undoubtedly the plan you propose is by far the safest. I cannot think that there is much chance of an earnest search being made among the tombs, though likely enough they may visit those which are open and empty, but as you say they would never dream of examining the tombs in use as they would naturally suppose that all were securely fastened. In case of the very worst there are the coffins for us to but take ourselves to and these assuredly no one would think of examining. If you will come down, Chigran said, as soon as it is dark I will give you provisions for some days together with the peasant's dresses I have prepared for you and the money a Mary's committed to my charge. It is not likely that anything will occur to decide you to make a move suddenly, but it is best that you should have everything in readiness for so doing should the occasion possibly arise. I will come up myself to-morrow night if all is well, an hour after sunset. I name the time exactly in order that if you sleep at any distance away you can be here at that hour to meet me. And now I leave you to the protection of the gods. This evening I shall dismantle the chamber you have used and remove all signs of its having been inhabited. Chigran thanked the embalmer very earnestly for the kindness he had shown them, the trouble he had taken, and the risk he had run on their behalf. I would have done more if I could, Chigran said. Your father's son has the highest claims upon me, and were it to half my fortune I would spend it to carry out the last wishes that a Mary's expressed to me. As soon as the embalmer left them the three friends sat down just within the entrance to the tomb, looking out over the quiet city lying in the plain below them. I wish we had our peasant dresses, Chibran said, that we might go down with you and join in the search for Miza. It would be too dangerous, Jethro said decidedly. Too many have seen you taking part in the services and procession, for you to have a chance of passing unnoticed. Amuba is less likely than you to be detected, and if his skin was stained, his eyebrows blackened, and his head shaved, he might manage to pass, providing he walked with his eyes fixed on the ground, but in that way he would not have much of a chance of coming upon traces of Miza. Any search you make must be at night. I shall today station myself near the house of Tylus. I do not expect to gain any information from gazing at the high wall which surrounds it, but I will follow as closely as I can without attracting observation all the slaves or servants who may come out, especially if two issue forth together. I may then catch a few words of their talk, and possibly gather some clue to the mystery. Still I own that the chance is small, and you must not look forward in any way to my returning with news. I wish, Jethro, Chibran said, that if possible you would again go to our house, see the old woman, and get her to bring out to you a suit of my priest's garments. With these I could at night enter the temple, and wander unquestioned through the chambers and courts. The nights are dark now, and unless I pass close to a lamp none could recognize me. We overheard one conversation of importance there, and it may be that I could overhear another. There would be danger in the attempt, Jethro said doubtfully. That matters not at all, Chibran exclaimed impetuously. All this trouble has come upon us through me, and even should there be some slight risk I would willing face it, but in truth I think there is no chance whatever of my being recognized. See how often Amuba went there with me, and though the nights were always moonlit we never were once addressed, nor was it noticed that Amuba was not one of the regular attendants of the temple, who alone have a right to penetrate beyond the great courts. So be it then, Jethro said. Then you shall explore the temple. Amuba and I will search every cavern in the hills. There are many great tombs behind the temple, and just as we have selected such a hiding place, Thylis may have chosen one as a place of concealment for Miza. There are many tombs there built by princes, nobles, and wealthy priests for their reception after death, which could be turned into a comfortable dwelling. After we have spent some time in searching there, we must, if unsuccessful, try further away. Thylis no doubt, like Amaris, has farms and country residences, and she may be hidden in one of these. I believe myself, Amuba said, that a better plan than yours will be for us to establish a watch over Plexo. Thylis has his duties and is no doubt fully occupied in securing his election to the high priesthood, but Plexo would most probably go sometimes to see Miza in her place of imprisonment. He will naturally be anxious to conciliate or frighten her into giving her consent to marry him as soon as possible. Therefore, if we can but watch him sufficiently closely, he is sure to lead us at last to her. That will certainly be the best way, Amuba. I did not think of it before, but it is clearly the plan that promises the best chance of success. We might search the country for years without finding her, and although I wish to keep up your hopes, I really despaired in my own mind. But, as you say, if we follow Plexo, sooner or later he is sure to bring us to her. But to do so we shall want many disguises. I will think the matter over as I walk today, and when I see Chebran this evening will beg him to get the disguises that seem to him the best for us to use. As for me, Jethro, Chebran said, I will visit the temple of an evening, as I said. But long before midnight all will be quiet there, so that will give me plenty of time for sleep, and in the daytime I will work with you. Get me the garb of a peasant woman. In such a dress and with a female head covering, I could surely get myself up so that even those who know me best would pass by without suspicion. Many women are taller than I am. The disguise would be out of the question for Amuba, who is well nigh as tall as you are, besides being wide and strong-looking, but for me it would do well. Yes, I think you could pass as a woman, Jethro agreed, and certainly the more of us there are to watch this rascal the better, but for myself I think that we are more likely to succeed at night than by day. Plexo too has his duties in the temple, and would be likely to pay his visits after dark. Then it would be a mere question of speed of foot, and Amuba and I used to be trained in running, and it will be a swift horse that will outpace us. And now I am going down to the city. I feel more hopeful than I did, lads, and for the first time begin to think that we have a chance of discovering where the villains have carried Miza. The day passed slowly to Cebran and Amuba. They would not show themselves outside the tomb, as Cebran had earnestly begged them not to do so. Besides, there were frequently people about on the hillside, for many came daily to offer prayers at the tombs of their relatives. Still they had much to talk of, the chances of finding Miza, the question with whom she should be placed if recovered, the prospects of the long and adventurous journey which lay before them. Amuba encouraged talk on all these points, and started the conversation afresh whenever it dropped, for he saw that the excitement concerning Miza had done a great deal for Cebran. It had weaned his thoughts from the death of his father, and the consequences that had arisen from his unfortunate shot. It had given him fresh subject for thought, and had revived his spirits and interest in life. Both lads were glad when, late in the afternoon, they saw Jethro ascending the hill. I have no news, he said, as he came up to them. I have been all day in the neighborhood of the house of Tylus, and have followed all who came out two together from it. I have overheard many scraps of conversation, and one and all talked upon the same subject, the death of Ameri's and of the sacred cat, and the want of success in the search for you. The fact of Miza being carried off was spoken of once or twice, but I was convinced by the manner in which the slaves spoke to each other on the subject that they had not the slightest idea that their master was concerned in the matter, and they had assuredly no knowledge whatever of her being in the house. Of course it is possible that she might be there without its being generally known to all the slaves. Still you know how things leak out in a household, and how everything done by the master and mistress soon becomes public property, and had any one among them heard something unusual was going on it would by this time have been known to all the servants. I hardly thought that Tylus would have ventured to have her carried home, for he might suppose that her mother's suspicions might be directed toward him just as ours have been, and that if she made a complaint against him a search of his house might be ordered. Besides there are too many servants there for a secret to be kept. No if a clue is to be obtained it will be in the temple or by our following Plexo. As soon as it was dark they descended the hill together. Jebron had attired himself in the garments bearing the distinguishing marks of the priesthood that Jethro had brought up with him, having obtained them from old Liptus. When near the house of the embalmer the lad stopped, and Jethro went on and returned in half an hour with the various disguises he had asked Jethron to obtain for him, all these with the exception of the scanty attire of two peasants he hid for the present in some bushes near the path, then he rubbed Amuba's skin and his own with a fluid he had obtained from Jethron, and after putting on the peasants' clothes they took their way toward the house of Tylus. While Jethron went toward the temple which was but a short distance from the house, Jethro and Amuba sat down by the wall close to the gate so that none could leave it without their knowledge. But beyond servants and visitors no one came out. At ten o'clock they heard the bolts of the gates fastened, but remained where they were until near midnight when Jethron joined them. He had spent the time wandering from court to court of the temple, but beyond a solitary priest moving here and there, replenishing the lamps of the altars he had seen no one, and had been himself entirely unnoticed. Amuba and Jethron were both inclined to be dispirited at the want of success of their watching, but Jethro chid them for their impatience. You do not suppose, he said, that you are going to find out a secret so well hidden by a few hours' watching. It may be weeks before we succeed. Tomorrow we will begin our watch two or three hours before sundown. I am better known to the servants at the house of Tylus than you are, as I have often taken messages there. Besides, in my disguise I could not so well loiter about without attracting attention as you could. I will therefore content myself with watching the northern road from the city upon the chance of his taking that way, while you in your dress as peasants can watch the house itself. You, Jhebron, might sit down by the wall fifty yards from the house on the north side, while you, Amuba, had best keep on the other side of the road and somewhat to the south of the gate. In this way you will be in sight of each other and yet not together. Solitary figures are less likely to attract attention than two together, for it is for two boys that people will be looking. As I should scarcely know you myself now that your skins are darkened, there is I trust small fear of others detecting your disguise. Accordingly the next day, three hours after noon, Amuba and Jhebron disguised as peasants went down to the house of Tylus and took their posts as arranged. Late in the afternoon Amuba noticed that one of the slaves from the house of Tylus suddenly checked his walk as he passed Jhebron and gazed fixedly at him. Amuba left the spot where he was standing and walked quickly in that direction. The slave spoke to Jhebron who rose to his feet. A moment later the slave seized him, as they were struggling Amuba ran up. Here is a find! the slave exclaimed. This is the slayer of the sacred cat! Aid me to drag him into the house of my master. But to his surprise Amuba sprang upon him and struck him such a heavy blow in the face that he released his hold of Jhebron and staggered backward. Run for your life! Amuba exclaimed to his friend, I will take another route. The slave recovering from his blow rushed at Amuba, shouting at the top of his voice, Death to the insulters of the gods! Death to the slayers of the sacred cat! But Amuba, who was now eighteen years of age, was at once stronger and more active than the slave, whose easy life in the household of the priest had unfitted him for such a struggle. Springing back to avoid the grasp of his assailant, Amuba struck him with all his strength in the face, and as he reeled backward repeated the blow, and the man fell heavily to the ground. But several other people attracted by the conflict and the shouts of the slave were running up, and Amuba took to his heels at the top of his speed. As he expected, the passers-by paused to assist the fallen man and to learn the cause of the fray before they took up the pursuit, and he was nearly two hundred yards away when he heard the cry again raised, Death to the slayer of the sacred cat! By this time he was alongside of Chebran, who had paused to see the issue of the contest with the slave. Do you turn off, Chebran, and take a turning or two and conceal yourself, and then make your way up to the hill? I will keep straight on for a while. I have more last than you have, and can outrun these fellows. Never fear. Do as I tell you, he said, almost angrily, as he saw that Chebran hesitated when they reached the next turning. If we keep together, they will overtake us both. Chebran hesitated no longer, but took the turning indicated. Amuba slackened his speed now, judging correctly that his pursuers, if they saw they gained upon him, would not trouble themselves about his companion, of whose identity they were probably still ignorant. When, on looking back, he saw that all had passed the turning, he again quickened his speed. He was not afraid of being overtaken by those behind him, but that he might meet other people who, seeing the pursuit, would take him for a fugitive from justice, and endeavor to stop him. One or two did indeed make feeble attempts to do so, but did not care to grapple in earnest with a powerful young man, evidently desperate, and of whose crime they knew nothing. As soon as he felt sure that Chebran was quite safe from pursuit, he turned off from the road he was following and struck across the country. A quarter of an hour's running took him fairly beyond the villas and detached houses, scattered so thickly round thebes. The ground here was closely cultivated. It was intersected everywhere by channels conveying the water needed for the irrigation of the crops. The holdings were small, and in the center of each stood a little hut. Some of these were inhabited, but for the most part the cultivators lived in the villages, using the huts only when it was necessary to scare away the birds and keep a close watch over their fruit. In some of these patches the fruit trees were thick, and Amuba took advantage of the cover to turn off at right angles to the course he had been pursuing, and then shaping his course so as to keep in shelter of the trees, ran until he arrived at a hut whose door stood open. A glance within showed that it was not at present used by the owner. He entered and closed the door behind him, and then climbed up a ladder, and threw himself down on some boards that lay on the rafters for the storage of fruit, pulling the ladder up after him. The last glimpse he had of his pursuers showed him that they were fully four hundred yards behind him when he turned off from the line he had been following, and he would have kept on and trusted to his speed and endurance to outrun them had he not been sure that many of the cultivators whom he had passed in his flight, and who had contented themselves with shouting threats at him for crossing their land, would, on learning from his pursuers the crime with which he was charged, join in the pursuit. Thus fresh runners would be constantly taking up the chase, and he would eventually be run down. He therefore thought it best to attempt to conceal himself until night fell. Scarcely had he thrown himself down when he heard loud shouts rise close at hand, and had no doubt that some laborer unobserved by him had noticed him enter the hut. He sprang down again from the loft, and seizing a stake which with several others was standing in a corner, he again sallied out. As he did so he was suddenly grasped, twisting himself free, he saw a powerful Nubian armed with a hoe. Without a moment's hesitation Amuba sprang at him with his stake. The Nubian parried the blow with his hoe, and in turn dealt a sweeping blow at the lad. Amuba sprang back just in time, and before the negro could recover his guard struck him a heavy blow on the wrist with his stake. The negro dropped his hoe uttering a cry of pain and rage. Amuba followed up the blow on the wrist with one on the ankle, and as the man fell bounded away again. But the negro's shouts had been heard, and the pursuers were now but fifty yards away. Amuba saw that their numbers had swollen considerably, and a doubt as to his ability to escape them for the first time entered his mind. They were too close for any further attempts at concealment, and he had now only his speed to rely on, but he had already run nearly three miles, while many of those behind him were fresh, and he soon found that he could not again widen the space between them. For another two miles he kept ahead, at first leaping the ditches lightly and without a pause, but at last often landing in the middle and scrambling out with difficulty. He was becoming completely exhausted now. Those who had at first taken up the chase had long since abandoned it, but as he had feared, fresh men constantly joined the ranks of his pursuers. They were but a few paces behind him when he found himself again on the high road. A few hundred yards away he saw a chariot approaching, and feeling that further flight was hopeless, he turned, stake in hand to face his pursuers, who were but a few paces behind him, with cries of, Kill him! Death to the Insulter of the Gods! They rushed at him. Panting and breathless he defended himself as best he could, but his guard was beaten down, and blows were showered upon him. He fell, but with a great effort struggled to his feet again. His senses were fast deserting him now, but he was conscious that the chariot drew up beside him, scattering his assailants right and left. He heard a voice raised in cones of indignant reproach, and then a renewal of the cries of hatred. He felt strong arms round him. Then he was lifted, and for a time became unconscious. CHAPTER XIV When Amuba recovered his senses he was lying in a heap at the bottom of the chariot. Two men were standing in the car beside him, the one he supposed to be the driver, the other the owner of the chariot. In a few minutes the chariot turned off through a stately gateway. The driver leaped down and closed the gates, and then led the horses to the steps leading up to a splendid mansion. The man beside him called out, and two or three slaves ran down the steps. Then he was lifted out, carried into the house, and laid upon a couch. A cup of wine was placed to his lips, and after he had drunk a slave bathed his head with cold water, and bandaged up the numerous cuts from which blood was flowing. This greatly refreshed him, and he raised himself on his arm. An order was given, and the slaves left the apartment, and Amuba looking up saw a tall and stately figure standing before him. He recognized him at once, for he had seen him following the king in one of the processions among the princes of Egypt. Who are you, and is it true what those men whom I found maltreating you averred, that you are the slayer of the cat of bubasties? My name is Amuba, my lord, the lad said, striving to stand upright, but his questioner signed to him to remain seated. I am a rabu taken prisoner of war, and handed as a slave to Ammeri's high priest of Osiris. I am not the slayer of the cat, but it is true that I was present at its death, and that it might just as well have been my arrow that accidentally pierced it as that of him who did so. Then it was an accident, the noble said. It was wholly an accident, my lord. We fired at a hawk that had been thinning the pet birds of my master's daughter. One of the arrows struck a tree, and glancing off entered the house in which the cat was kept, and unfortunately caused its death. We regretted the accident bitterly, knowing how sacred was the animal in the sight of the Egyptians. And not in your sight, young man. You are not yet a follower of the gods of the Egyptians? I am not, my lord, Amuba answered, but at the same time I would not upon any account have willfully done ought to offend the religious opinions of others, although I myself have not been taught to consider the life of a cat as of more value than that of other animals. Then you worship the gods of your own people. Amuba was silent for a moment. I would answer frankly, my lord, and I hope that you will not be displeased. Since I have come to Egypt I have come to think that neither the gods of the Egyptians nor the gods my fathers worshiped are the true gods. I believe that there is one great god overall, and that the others are but as it were his attributes, which men worship under the name of gods. The Egyptian uttered an exclamation of surprise. Whence did you obtain such a belief as this? He asked. Amuba was silent. It must have been from Amaris himself, the noble went on, seeing that the lad was reluctant to answer. I knew him well, and also that he carried to an extreme the knowledge he had gained. But how came it that he should speak of such matters to you, a slave? My master was good enough to make me a companion and friend to his son rather than a servant to him, Amuba replied. Partly because he thought that I should lead him to a more active life, which he needed, for he was overstudious. Partly because I had high rank in my own country, of which my father was the king. But he never spoke of this matter until after the accident of the cat. My friend Chebran was utterly cast down at the sin he thought he had committed, and would at once have denounced himself, preferring death to living with such a burden upon his mind, than his father seeing that his whole life would be embittered, and that he would probably be forced to fly from Egypt and dwell in some other land, told him the belief which he himself held. I believed this all the more readily because I had heard much the same from an Israelite maiden who served my master's daughter. Again Amuba's listener uttered an exclamation of surprise. I knew not, he said after a pause, that there was an Israelite who still adhered to the religion of their ancestors. The maiden told me that for the most part they had taken to the worship of the Egyptians, and indeed, so far as she knew, she was the last who clung to the old belief. She had been brought up by a great grandfather who had been driven from his people and forced to dwell apart because he reproached them for having forsaken their God, and he instructed her in the faith he held, which was that there was but one God over all the earth. Do you know who I am? the noble asked abruptly. I know that you are one of the princes of the land, my lord, for I have seen you in a procession following closely behind the king with his sons and other princes. I am also an Israelite. It seems strange to you, doubtless, he went on, as Amuba stared in astonishment at hearing a prince of Egypt declare himself as belonging to the hated race. Many years ago, at the time I was an infant, there was a great persecution of the Israelites, and as is supposed my father and mother, fearing for my life, placed me in a little cradle and set me a float on the water. It chanced, or was it chance or the will of God? That the water took me to the spot where the princess Termutus, the daughter of the then king, was bathing with her maidens. She had compassion upon me and adopted me, and as I grew up I had all the rights and privileges of her son, and rank, as you say, with the princes of Egypt. She called me Moses, for that was the name as it seems that was writ upon a piece of papyrus, fastened to my cradle. I was instructed in all the learning of the Egyptians, and grew up as one of them. So I lived for many years, and had almost forgotten that I was not one of them, but now. And here he stopped, and began thoughtfully to pace up and down the apartment. What has become of the maiden of whom you spoke, he asked suddenly stopping before Amuba. That I knew not, my Lord, upon the day that Amaris was murdered by the mob his little daughter was carried off, and Ruth, for that is her name, has also been missing ever since. It is for that reason we have lingered here, otherwise we should have fled at once. You and the son of Amaris? Yes, my Lord, and another rebu, one of my father's warriors, who was a fellow captive with me, and also slave of Amaris. The High Priest had great confidence in him, and committed to him the mission of aiding Chabron to escape, and of conducting us, if possible, back to my own land. But when we found that my young mistress was missing, we decided to remain to search for her. What will you do when you find her? If we can rescue her from those who have carried her away, we shall hand her over to her mother, and then leave the land as we had intended, unless indeed you, my Lord, in your goodness could obtain for Chabron a pardon for an offense which was wholly accidental. That I can never do, Moses said. This is wholly beyond my power. The King himself could not withstand the demand of the populace for his life. Until lately I might have in some way aided you, but I have no longer influence, and have myself fallen into disgrace at court. After again pacing the apartment for some time, Moses went on. If you find this little Israelite maiden, tell her she is not the last of the Israelites, who believes in the God of Abraham, our ancestor. Tell her that Moses also holds to the faith. You again look surprised, young man, and you may well be so, seeing that I have from the days of my infancy been separated from my people. But our priests keep accurate records of all things connected with the countries and religion of the people, with whom we come in contact. Thus then it was easy for me, who have access to all the stores of knowledge, to examine the roles recording the first coming of my people, the rule of Joseph, the great governor, the coming of his relations here and their settlement in the country. Thus I learned that they worshipped one God, whom they believed to be the only God in the world. I have been interested deeply in the learning of the priesthood, and have long seen that behind all the forms and mysteries of the Egyptian religion this central idea seemed to be hidden. None with whom I have spoken acknowledged boldly that it was so, but I heard reports that Amaris was bold enough to entertain the idea that there was but one God, and that our far-back ancestors, who had first worshipped him under the various attributes they ascribed to him, came in course of time to lose the truth altogether, and to regard shadows as substances. Therefore I said to myself, I too will believe in the one God worshipped by my forefathers, hoping that in time it may be that I may learn more of him. Until the last two or three years I have been content to live as one of the Egyptian princes, but of late my heart has turned much to my oppressed people, and I have determined upon doing what I can to relieve their burden. I have even raised my voice in the council in their favor, and this has created a coldness between the court and myself. They consider that I, having had the honor of adoption into the royal family, should myself forget and allow others to forget what they regard as my base origin. Sometimes I own that I myself wonder that I should feel so drawn toward them, and even wish that I could forget my origin, and give my whole mind to the duties and pleasures of my present rank, but I feel moved by a spirit stronger than my own. But we must talk no longer. I see that you are now stronger. Do you think you can walk? Oh yes, Amuba replied, getting up, and walking across the apartment, I have not lost much blood, and was only dizzy from their blows. Then it is better that you should leave at once. The people from whom I snatched you will have carried the news speedily to the city, and officials will doubtless soon arrive here to demand that you be given up to them. Take therefore another draft of wine and a piece of bread. I will then give you in charge of a trusty slave who will lead you through the garden and through a small door at the back, and will guide you to any spot where you may wish to go. Even now doubtless a watch is being kept up in the front of the house. When the officials arrive I shall tell them the truth, that coming as I drove upon a lad who was being attacked and murdered by a number of brutal peasants, I carried him off in my chariot. As to the shouts I heard that you were the slayer of the cat of Bubastis, I regarded it as an invention designed to hinder me from interfering on your behalf, that I questioned you upon your arrival here, and finding that as I had supposed you were entirely innocent of the offense charged against you, I urged you to leave at once, letting you depart by the garden gate in order to escape the fury of your persecutors. As you are not an Israelite, no one can suppose that I could have any motive for shielding an offender from the punishment of his crimes. Do not thank me for time presses, and you must be moving so as to be well away before it is known that you have left. May the God we both worship, though as yet in ignorance, guide and preserve you, and carry you and your friends through the dangers that beset you. Moses drew back the curtains from before the entrance to the chamber and clapped his hands, and ordered the servant who answered the call to tell Mephrees to come to him. An old slave speedily appeared, and Moses ordered him to take Amuba out by the private way and to guide him by quiet roads back to the city. Then cutting short his guest's expressions of thanks for the great kindness he had rendered him, he hurried him away, for he knew that at any moment the officials might arrive from the city. It was well that Amuba had been supplied with a guide, for upon issuing into the night air, for by this time darkness had fallen, he found that he could with difficulty direct his steps, his head throbbed as if it would split from the blows that had been dealt him, and every limb ached. The old slave, however, seeing that he stumbled as he walked, placed his staff in one of Amuba's hands, and taking him firmly by the arm led him steadily on. It seemed to the lad that he went on walking all night, and yet it was less than an hour after starting when his conductor found that he could go no further, and that he was wholly unable to answer his questions as to wither he wished to be guided. He determined to stop with him until he should be able to proceed again. He therefore led Amuba aside into an orchard, and there laid him down under the shelter of a tree, covering him with one of his own garments. It is well for the lad that my lord arrived just when he did, he said to himself, as he sat down by the side of Amuba and listened to his heavy breathing, for all in the house had heard from the charioteer of the rescue of the lad from the hands of furious peasants. He must have been very near death when he was saved from their hands. Maxis said that his assailants shouted out that he was the slayer of the cat of bubasties about which such a turmoil has been made. Had it been so, I do not think that my lord would have aided him thus to escape. Though for my part I care not if he had killed all the cats in Egypt, seeing that in my native Libya we worship not the gods of the Egyptians. Several times during the night the old man got up and plucked large handfuls of grass wet with dew, and placed them on Amuba's head, and when he perceived the first faint gleam of morning in the sky he aroused him. Amuba sat up and looked round with an air of astonishment. Where am I? he exclaimed. You are at present in an orchard, my young friend, though to whom it may belong I know not, but finding that you were unable to continue your journey. I drew you aside here, and you have slept well all night, and I hope feel better for it and able to proceed. I remember now, Amuba said. It seemed to me that I walked for hours leaning on your arm. It was but an hour. The slave replied, We are not yet two miles from my lord's house. And you have watched over me all night, Amuba said, for it was I know but an hour after sunset when we started. Truly I am deeply indebted to you for your kindness. Speak not of it, the old man replied. My lord gave you into my charge, and I cannot return until I can tell him that you are in safety. But if you are able to walk we must pass on, for there may be a search for you as soon as it is light. I am perfectly able to go on, Amuba said. Thanks to the wet grass I see you have been piling round my head, the heat seems to have passed away and the throbbing to have ceased. Amuba was indeed now able to walk at a brisk pace. Which way do you want to go? the slave asked him in a short time. It is getting light enough now for me to see your face, and it will never do for you to meet any one. Your head is still swollen, and there are marks of bruises and cuts all over the scalp. Your appearance will attract attention at once, and if any saw you who had heard of last evening's doings, you would be at once suspected. I will make direct for the hills, Amuba said. They are not far distant, and I can easily conceal myself among the rocks until sunset. Let us hurry on, then, the slave said. It is but half an hour's walk, but as we may at any moment now meet peasants going to their work, I will go on ahead. Do you follow a hundred yards behind me? If I see any one coming I will lift my hand above my head, and do you at once step aside from the road into the vineyard or orchard, and lie there until they have passed. Amuba followed these instructions, and it was more than an hour before he reached the foot of the hills, so often did he have to turn aside to avoid groups of peasants. At last he reached the foot of the rugged ascent. Here he took leave of his guide with many warm thanks for his kindness and services, and with a message of gratitude to his lord. Then Amuba ascended the hill for a short distance, and laid himself down among some great boulders. Although greatly refreshed by his night's rest he was still weak and shaken, and felt altogether unequal to making his way along the hills for the four miles which intervened between himself and the hiding place of his friends among the tombs above the city. He was soon asleep again, and the sun was already some distance down the sky when he awoke. He waited until it sank behind the brow of the hill above him, and then climbing some distance higher made his way along the hillside, having little fear that his figure would be noticed now that the hillside was in shadow. Darkness had just fallen when he arrived at the tomb they used as their shelter. A figure was standing there in deep shadow. As he turned the path and approached it advanced to meet him. Then there was a cry of joy, and Jethro sprang forward and clasped him in his arms. My dear Amuba, I never thought to see you in life again. A moment later Chebran ran out, and in his turn embraced Amuba. I shall never forgive you, and I shall never forgive myself, he said reproachfully. What right had you to take my danger upon yourself? It was wrong, Amuba, and I have suffered horribly. Even though we are as brothers, why should you sacrifice yourself for me, especially when it is my life and not yours that is forfeited? I told myself a thousand times last night that I was base and cowardly in allowing you and Jethro to risk your lives for me, when by giving myself up the rage of the people will be satisfied, and you could make your way out of this land without great danger. It was bad enough that you should share my risk, but when it comes to your taking it all upon your shoulders that I should escape free, I can accept such sacrifice no longer, and tomorrow I will go down and surrender myself. Amuba was about to burst into remonstrance when Jethro touched him as a sign to be silent. The raboon knew how acutely Chebran had suffered, and how he had spent the night in tears and self-reproaches, and felt that it was better to allow his present agitation to pass before arguing with him. Are you hungry, Amuba? he asked. That I am, Jethro. I had nothing save a mouthful of bread since our meal here yesterday, and you will get no news out of me until I have eaten and drunk. A meal of cakes and cool fish and a draft of wine was soon taken, and Amuba said, Now I will tell you all about it. We know the first part, Jethro said. When I returned here yesterday evening I found Chebran almost beside himself with anxiety. He told me how he had been discovered by one of the slaves of Tylus, who knew him by sight, how you had attacked the slave, rescued him from his hands, and then joined him in his flight, how you insisted that you should separate and how the pursuers had all followed on your track, leaving him to return here unmolested. He had been here upward of two hours when I arrived, and as the time had passed on without your return, he had become more and more anxious. Of course, I at once started out to gather news and had the greatest difficulty in persuading him to remain here, for he scorned the idea of danger to himself from the search which would be sure to be again actively set on foot. However, as I pointed out it was necessary that if you returned you should find somebody here he at last agreed to remain. When I got into the town I found the whole city in the streets. The news had come that the slayers of the cat had been discovered, that one had escaped, but that the other had been overtaken after a long chase, and that he had been set upon and would have been slain, as he well deserved, had not one of the princes of the royal house arrived, and carried him off in his chariot. The news excited the greatest surprise and indignation, and two officers of the city had gone out to the prince's mansion, which was six miles away from the city, to claim the fugitive and bring him to the town, when he would be at once delivered to the just anger of the populace. As soon as I learned this I started out along the road by which they would return, and hurried on past the people already gathered there. I had brought my sword with me, and my intention was that as the chariot returned with you I would leap upon it, surprise and slay the officials, and drive off with you, for I knew you would be able to take no part in making the escape, as I had heard that you were already insensible when carried off in the chariot. There were groups of people all along the road with torches, but I thought that a sudden surprise would probably be successful. At last I heard the chariot approaching. It was being driven more slowly than I had expected. As it came to a large group of people some distance ahead of me, it stopped for a moment, and the official addressed the people. There was no shout or sound of exultation, and I felt convinced at once that either upon their arrival they had found that you were already dead, or that in some miraculous way you had escaped. I therefore hurried back to the next group, when the chariot came up there was a shout of what is the news, where is the malefactor? The officials checked their horses and replied, a mistake has been made. The Prince assures us that the lad was a poor slave and wholly innocent of this affair. He has satisfied himself that in their jealousy for the honour of the gods, the peasants who attacked the lad committed a grievous wrong, and fell upon a wholly innocent person. After assuring himself of this he had had his wounds bound up, and suffered him to depart. The Prince intends to lay a complaint before the council against the persons who have cruelly maltreated and nearly murdered an innocent person, who, he stated, interfered in the matter because he saw a slave attacking a young lad, and who fled fearing trouble because of the punishment he had inflicted upon the aggressor. The announcement was received in silence, but when the chariot had driven on again there was much murmuring. This account had certainly the appearance of truth, for it was already known by the narrative of the slave who recognised Chebran that the person who rescued him was a youth and a stranger to him, and that it was this youth who had been pursued while Chebran himself had escaped. Still there was murmuring that the Prince should in so important a matter have suffered the youth to depart without a more searching examination. Some said that even if the boy's story was true he deserved punishment for attacking the slave who had arrested Chebran, while others said that as he had certainly been beaten almost to death he had been punished sufficiently. All agreed that no doubt the whole affair would be investigated. I hurried back again with the news, and all night we watched for you, and when morning came without your arrival we were almost as anxious as before, fearing that you had been too badly injured to rejoin us, and that today you would almost certainly be recaptured, as the search for Chebran would assuredly be actively carried out. I insisted on his remaining quiet here, while I made frequent journeys down to the city for news. But beyond the certainty that you had not been recaptured, although a diligent search had been made for you as well as for Chebran, I learned nothing. Now, Amuba, I have relieved you of the necessity for much talk. You have only to fill in the gaps of the story, and to tell us how it was that you persuaded this Egyptian Prince of your innocence. It is a rather long story, Jethro, but now that I have had a meal I feel strong enough to talk all night, for I have had nearly 24 hours sleep. First I will tell Chebran that when I took the pursuers off his track, I had no idea of sacrificing myself, for I made sure that I should be able to outrun them, and I should have done so easily had it not been for fresh people constantly taking up the pursuit, and at last running me down. Amuba then related the whole story of his flight, his attack with the peasants and his rescue, and then recited the whole of his conversation with his rescuer and his proceedings after leaving his house. So you see, he concluded, that strangely enough it was the teaching of your father, Chebran, and the tale that Ruth told us, and that her grandfather before told you of the God of their forefathers that saved my life. Had it not been that this Prince of Israeliteish birth also believed in one God, it could hardly be that he would have saved me from the vengeance of the people, for as he says he is in disfavor with the king, and his conduct in allowing me to go free merely on my own assertion of my innocence is likely to do him further harm. This he would assuredly never have risked had it not been for the tie between us of a common faith in one great God. It is a strange story, Jethro said, when Amuba brought his narrative to a conclusion, and you have had a marvelous escape, had it not been for the arrival of this Prince upon the spot at the very moment you must have been killed, had he not been of a compassionate nature he would never, in the first place, have interfered on your behalf, and had it not been for your common faith he would have held you until the officials arrived to claim you, then too you were fortunate indeed in the kindness of your guide, for evidently had it not been for your long rest and the steps he took to reduce the heat of your wounds, you must have fallen into the hands of the searchers this morning. Above all, I consider it extraordinary that you should at the critical moment have been rescued by perhaps the one man in Egypt who would have had the will and the courage to save you. Upon the following morning Jethro and Amuba succeeded with some difficulty in dissuading Chebran from his determination to give himself up, the argument that had the most powerful effect being that by doing so he would be disobeying the last orders of his father. It was resolved that in future as a better disguise he should be attired as a woman, and that the watch upon the house of Tylus should be recommenced but that they should station themselves further away. It was thought indeed that the search in that neighborhood was likely to be less rigorous than elsewhere, as it would not be thought probable that the fugitives would return to a spot where they had been recognized. Amuba's disguise was completely altered, he was still in the dress of a peasant, but by means of pigments obtained from Chigran, Jethro so transformed him as to give him to a casual observer the appearance of advanced years. They had had a long discussion as to the plan they would adopt, Amuba and Jethro wishing Chebran to leave the watching entirely to them, but this he would not hear of, saying that he was confident that, in his disguise as a woman, no one would know him. We must find out which way he goes to begin with, he said, after that none of us need go near the house. I will buy a basket and some flowers from one of the peasant women who bring them in, and will take my seat near the gate. By three o'clock Plexo will have finished his offices in the temple, and may set out half an hour later. I shall see at least which road he takes. Then, when you join me at dusk, one of you can walk a mile or two along the road, the other twice as far. We shall then see when he returns whether he has followed the road any considerable distance, or has turned off by any crossroads, and can post ourselves on the following day so as to find out more. The plan is a very good one, Chebran, and we will follow it. Once we get upon his trail I will guarantee that it will not be long before we trace him to his goal. Accordingly that afternoon, Chebran, dressed as a peasant woman, took his seat with a basket of flowers fifty yards from the entrance to the house of Tylus. At about the time he expected, Plexo and his father returned together from the temple. Half an hour later a light chariot with two horses issued from the gate. Plexo was driving, and an attendant stood beside him. Chebran felt sure that if Plexo was going to visit Misa he would take the road leading into the country, and the post he had taken up commanded a view of the point where the road divided into three, one running straight north along the middle of the valley, while the others bore right and left until one fell into the great road near the river, the other into that on the side of the valley near the hills. It was this last that Plexo took, and although he might be going to visit acquaintances living in the many villas scattered for miles and miles along the roadside, Chebran felt a strong hope that he was going to Misa's hiding place. As soon as it was dark he was joined by Jethro and Amuba. He started at three o'clock, Chebran exclaimed as they came up to him, and took the road leading to the foot of the hills. We will go on there at once, Jethro said. He may return before long, and we must hurry. Do you walk quietly on, Chebran, and stop at the point where the road ahead runs into the main road. Amuba shall stop two miles further. I will go two miles further still. If he comes along the road past me, we will begin at that point to-morrow. Jethro had but just reached the spot at which he proposed to wait when he heard the sound of wheels approaching, and a minute later the chariot drove along. The moon was not up, but the night was clear and bright, and advancing as close as he could to the passing chariot, he was able to recognize Plexo. The latter gave an angry exclamation as his horses shied at the figure which had suddenly presented itself, and gave a cut with his whip at Jethro. A minute later the chariot had disappeared, and Jethro returned toward the city, picking up on his way Amuba and Chebran. The next night Amuba took up his station a mile beyond the spot at which Jethro had seen the chariot, Jethro another mile ahead, while Chebran watched the crossroads near the town. But this time it did not come along, although Chebran had seen him start the same hour as before. I hardly expected to see him to-night, Jethro said, when he joined the others after fruitlessly waiting for three hours. He will hardly be likely to visit her two days in succession. He will be more likely to leave her for a week to meditate on the hopelessness of refusing to purchase her liberty at the price of accepting him as her husband, doubtless he has today merely paid a visit to some friends. It was not indeed until the fourth night of waiting that Plexo came along. This time he did not pass Jethro at all, and it was therefore certain that he had turned off from the main road, either to the right or left at some point between the post of Jethro and that of Amuba. When this was determined they agreed after a consultation, not to return to their hiding places near Thebes that night, but to lie down under some trees by the roadside until morning broke, and then to examine the road carefully. It was not likely that another chariot would pass before morning, and they might be able to follow the tracks along the dusty road. In this way they discovered the road where he had turned off, but beyond this the tracks did not show, as the road was hard and almost free from dust. It lay as they expected toward the hills, but there were so many country mansions of the wealthy classes dotted about, and so many crossroads leading to these and to the farmhouses of the cultivators, that they felt they were still far from attaining the object of their search. After some discussion it was agreed that they should ascend the hills and remain there during the day, and that Jethro should return to the town as soon as it became dark to obtain a store of provisions sufficient to last them for a week. This was done, and the next day they separated at dawn and took up their places on the hills, at a distance of about a mile apart, choosing spots where they commanded a view over the valley, and arranging to meet at a central point when night came on. End of Chapter 14 Chapter 15 of The Cat of Bubastis, A Tale of Ancient Egypt This Librivox recording is in the public domain. The Cat of Bubastis by G. A. Henty Chapter 15 A Marys Is Revenged Six days passed without their watch being rewarded, then Chebran, whose post was just opposite the road where they had traced the wheels, saw a chariot turn from the main road into it. As many others had taken that course every day he did not at first feel very hopeful, although the time precisely tallied with that at which Plexo should have arrived had he started at the same hour as before. As it came near, however, he became convinced that it was the vehicle he was looking for. The horses tallied in color with those of Plexo, and the color of his dress could even at that distance be distinguished. This time, however, he was not accompanied by a servant, but by a figure the whiteness of whose garment showed him also to be a priest. That must be tylus, he said to himself, my father's murderer. Would I were down by the edge of the road with my bow and arrows, I, priest, as he has now become, I would send an arrow through his heart. The chariot turned off by the road parallel to that which had been followed from Thebes, and so close to the foot of the hills that from Chebran's post he could no longer see it. As soon as it was out of sight he leaped to his feet and hurried along the hills to join Amuba, whose post was next to his own. He found his friend had already gone on, and he hurried breathlessly on until he reached Jethro, who had been joined by Amuba a few minutes before. Have you seen them? he exclaimed. I have seen them and marked them down, Jethro replied. You see that roof among those trees at the foot of the hill half a mile further along? They turned off the road and entered these trees. Our search is over at last. What had we better do, Jethro? Wait until they have left again and then go down? No, Jethro said sternly. There are two things to be done. The one is to rescue Miza, the other to punish the murderer of Amaris. But even did we determine to delay our vengeance? I should say we must still press on. You saw that arch-villain Tylus with his son. He has assuredly come for some purpose. Probably he may intend to terrify the girl until he drives her into taking some solemn oath that she will accept Plexo as her husband. What can a girl of that age do in the hands of unscrupulous villains like these? It may be that this fox Plexo has been trying flattery, and finding that failed has called in Tylus, who can threaten her with the anger of these gods of hers, to say nothing of perpetual imprisonment and harsh treatment. We will therefore push on at once. Amuba and I carry our stout peasant staves, while you, Chebran, have your dagger concealed under that female dress. We shall have all the advantage of surprise in our favor. It is not likely that there are more than one or two men there. With perhaps a female servant, Tylus would not wish the secret to be known to more than was absolutely necessary. Of course it is possible that the four men who carried her off may all be on guard there. But if so, it makes but six, and what with the surprise, and what with their not knowing how numerous we are, that number should not be more than sufficient for us to dispose of without difficulty. At any rate, were there twenty I would not hesitate. Honest men need never fear an encounter with rogues. Especially, Amuba said, when the honest men possess such sinews as yours, Jethro, and a good heavy cudgel in their hands. Jethro smiled, but was in too earnest a mood to answer, and at once led the way along the hillside until immediately behind the house among the trees. Then they descended, climbing with some difficulty over the wall surrounding the wood, and entered the enclosure. Treading as lightly as possible, Jethro and his companions passed through the wood and made their way up to the house. It was small but handsomely built, and was surrounded with a colonnade supported by carved pillars. The garden immediately around it was evidently carefully tended, and the house from its secluded position was well fitted as a place of sojourn for a wealthy priest or noble, desirous of a few days rest and retirement from the bustle of the great city. As all were barefooted, they passed across the garden to the colonnade without the slightest sound. As they reached it, Jethro held up his hand for them to stop, for the sound of voices came through the wide doorway of an apartment opening out to the colonnade. Both Chebran and Amuba at once recognized the voice of Tylus. I will put up with no more of this folly, Miza. You should think yourself fortunate in the extreme in the position in which you are, belonging to a disgraced family, to receive such an offer as my son makes to you. I will have an answer at once. You will either swear before the gods that you accept Plexo as your future husband, that you will reply to all who question you that you have been staying here by your own free will, and that you remained in concealment simply because you were overwhelmed with horror at the terrible act of sacrilege committed by your brother, or you will this night be confined in a tomb where you will remain alone and without the light of day until you agree to my conditions. You don't think you little fool that I, Tylus, I, priest of Osiris, am to be thwarted in my plans by the opposition of a child like you. Hear a voice which the three listeners recognized to their surprise as that of Ruth broke out. Do not listen to him, Miza. Whatever comes of it, never consent to lie before God as this wicked man would have you. You call yourself a high priest, sir. What must be the worth of the gods you pretend to worship if they suffer one like you to minister to them? Were they gods and not mere images of stone, they would strike you dead at the altar. A furious exclamation broke from Tylus, and he stepped forward and seized the Hebrew girl roughly by the shoulder, only to start back with another exclamation as Ruth struck him with her open hand with all her force on the cheek. Drag her henceplexo, he exclaimed, but at this moment the entrance was darkened and the three listeners sprang into the room. Tylus had the courage that distinguished his race, and although for a moment startled at the sudden entry he did not recoil, but drawing a sword from his girdle he said haughtily, Who are you and what means this intrusion? We are those whom you have been hunting to death, Tylus, and we come here as avengers of blood, as you brought about the murder of a Mary's, so you must die, to say nought of your offense in carrying off the daughter of the man you slew. Without a word Tylus rushed upon Jethro with his sword, thinking to make short work of this insolent peasant, but as he did so Jethro whirled his massive club round his head, and catching the blow upon it, shivered the sword in pieces. Tylus stopped his arm, and gazing steadily at his opponent said, Wretch, do you dare to murder the high priest of Osiris? No, Jethro said, but I dare to execute him, and he brought his heavy club down with all his strength upon the head of the priest. At this moment Plexo, who had stolen unobserved from the room the instant the others entered, returned, followed by three armed men. Jebron and Amuba were so intent upon the combat between Jethro and the priest that they did not notice the entrance of Plexo, who, with uplifted knife, sprang upon Jebron. There was a scream of warning, and quick as thought Ruth sprang forward and pushed Plexo as he sprang through the air, the sudden shock threw both to the ground. Ruth sprang to her feet again, but Plexo lay there motionless. The three armed men stood for a moment stupefied at the fall of their two employers, and then, seeing two men and a woman rushed forward to attack them. One sweeping blow with Jethro's staff fell the first of his assailants to the ground, the others paused irresolute. Drop your weapons, or you are dead men, Jethro exclaimed. You are outnumbered, and if you move, you die. As Jebron had now thrown back his female robe and drawn his dagger, and taken his place at the door, while Jethro and Amuba were advancing against them, the two men dropped their weapons. Hold out your hands, Jethro said. My son, stand over them with your club, and break the skull of either who may move. The men did as they were ordered. Jethro tore strips of cloth off their garments, twisted them into ropes, and bound their wrists firmly together. The meaning tone in which Jethro had called Amuba his son had not escaped either Amuba or Jebron, who saw that Jethro was desirous of concealing their names. Miza, who had raised a cry of joy when Jethro first spoke, had sunk terrified upon a couch, and had hidden her face in her hands during the short encounter, while Ruth had stood silent and vigilant beside her, moving only when Plexo rushed at Jebron, and retiring to Miza's side again as soon as she had regained her feet. She too understood Jethro's motives in calling Amuba his son, and stooping over Miza she said, It is all over now Miza, but remain quiet at present. Do not speak until you see what is going to be done. As soon as the men were tied, Jethro secured in the same manner the man who was lying stunned from his blow. Then he turned to Plexo, who had not moved since he had fallen. He half turned him round, and uttered a low exclamation of surprise. Gustrion, he said to Jebron, Go with the young lady into the garden, and remain there until we join you. Jebron passed out on to the colonnade, following Miza and Ruth, the moment they were unobserved, Miza threw her arms round him and burst into tears with joy. Oh, Jebron, she exclaimed, You have arrived just in time. I thought we were never going to get away from that dreadful man, and I don't know what I should have done if it hadn't been for Ruth, and oh, they have been telling me such terrible things, but they can't be true that our dear father had been killed, and that it was you, Jebron, who killed dear Paukeys, but of course I did not believe them. I knew it was all their wickedness. Never mind about that, dear, Jebron said. We will talk about all this afterward. The first thing is to get you away from this place. Jethro and Amuba will soon decide what is best to be done. Are there any others in the house? There is one other man, Ruth replied, and an old woman. I think the other man is at the door with the chariot. I had better tell Jethro, Jebron said, and he again went into the room and told Jethro what he had heard. We will seize the woman first, Jethro said, and then go out round the house and come down from the other way upon the chariot. The man will have heard the outcry, and if we came suddenly out of the door, might leap into the chariot and drive off before we could overtake him. But if we come upon it from behind we shall secure him. But you have forgotten to bind Plexo, Jebron said. Plexo is dead, Jethro replied. As he fell his arm was beneath him, and the knife with which he had intended to strike you pierced his heart. I am very glad that you observed the way I spoke to Amuba. It was of the greatest importance that the name should not be mentioned. This affair will cause a tremendous excitement. There is nothing to connect us with Tylus, and it may be supposed that it is the work of some malefactors who came down from the hills in search of plunder. The fact that Miza was here and was carried away is not in itself any proof that we had a hand in it, for Libyan robbers might well have carried her and Ruth away to make slaves of. Plexo caught but a glimpse of us, and doubtless only rushed out and called the men to come to his father's assistance. At any rate, let there be no names mentioned. Now let us finish our work here. The female servant was soon found and bound. Then the four prisoners were placed in different rooms and fastened securely to the wall or pillars. Never put two prisoners together, Jebron said. Always remember that. Tie one man up and you may keep him. Tie up two and they are sure to escape. They can bite through each other's cords, or untie the knot with their teeth, or possibly even with their fingers. Now what is the next thing to do? Amuba asked. The next thing is to have a consultation. Do you, Jebron, go into the garden to the girls? Amuba and I will deal with the other man. As soon as Jethro and Amuba had left him, Jebron rejoined the girls. You saved my life, Ruth. I shall never forget it. You saved me from the crocodile, my Lord. It was but a push and he fell. I scarce know how it was done. Your quickness saved my life all the same, Ruth. I had not noticed him till you cried out, and then it would have been too late. We have been anxious for you also, Ruth. We hoped that you might be with Miza, but none saw you go out with her. My place was with my mistress, Ruth said quietly, and she was more than a mistress. She was a friend to me. But how came you here, Jebron? Miza again asked. And why are you dressed up like a peasant woman? It is not seemly in any man, much less in you, a priest. And Amuba and Jethro, too, they are dressed as peasants, and their faces seem changed. I do not know how. They look darker, and I should not have known them had I not recognized Jethro's voice. It is a long story, dear, and I will tell you all presently, and we want to hear your story, too. Ah, here come the others. It is to them, Miza, far more than to me that you owe your rescue. I may know more of the learning of our people, but I have none of the readiness and coolness of Amuba. While Jethro is as prudent as he is brave, it would have fared hardly with me as well as with you, Miza, had it not been for these good friends. Miza went up to them as they approached. Oh, Jethro, I feel how much I owe to you, and to you, Amuba. My courage at all, but given way, although Ruth strove so hard to give me hope, and I fear I could not have long withstood the threats of that bad man. You cannot tell what joy I felt when I recognized your voice. Our joy was as great in finding you as yours in seeing us, Jethro replied. Amuba and I would gladly have laid down our lives for you. And now let us have a consultation. There is much to decide upon and arrange. Let us go round to the garden at the other side of the house. There we can sit and talk, and at the same time keep watch that no one else enters. It is not likely that anyone will do so, for the place is secluded, and none would know that these men were here. Still a peasant might enter to sell fowls or fruit, therefore it were best to keep an eye upon the entrance. They went round to some seats placed beneath trees on the other side of the house. A fountain worked by the water of a little reel on the hillside, played in front of them, and a few tame water fowl swam in a shallow basin around it. Everything was still and peaceful, and to Chebran it seemed as if the events of the last three weeks had been a hideous dream, and that they were again sitting in the garden of their house at Thebes. Now, first of all, Miza said, I must have my questions answered. How are my father and mother and everyone? Jethro took Amuba's arm and turned away. We will leave you, Chebran, to tell Miza what has taken place. It will be better for you to do so alone. Ruth rose from her seat to leave also, but Miza put her hand on her arm. I am frightened, Ruth. Stay with me. You told me, Miza, Chebran began, that they had told you tales that our father was dead and that it was I who killed Pockeys. Yes, but I did not believe them, Chebran. Of course, I did not for a moment. At least not for a moment about you, but when I thought of those bad men at the gate and the crash we heard and the noise of the people rushing in shouting, I thought I was afraid that perhaps it might be true about our father. But, oh, Chebran, surely it is not so. Alas, Miza, it is true. They cruelly slew our father. I wish I had been there to have fallen by his side, but you know Amuba and I were away. Jethro fought desperately to the last and would have died with him had not our father himself commanded that in case anything happened to him, he was to take charge of me and to carry me out of the land. Miza was crying bitterly now, presently she looked up. But why should you want to leave the land, Chebran? Surely, surely it is not true that you— The thing seemed too terrible for her to put into words. That I killed poor Pockies? That is true also, Miza. Miza gave a little cry of horror. Oh, Ruth, she cried, this is too dreadful. Ruth put her arms round the sobbing girl. You may be sure, Miza, that your brother did not do it intentionally. But it is all the same, Miza cried. It was the sacred cat, you know, the cat of bubasties. It was, Miza, and I thought at first, as you did, that although it was the result of an accident, the anger of the gods would be poured out against me, that I was as one accursed whose life was forfeited in this world and whose spirit was destined to dwell in unclean beasts after death, but when I told my father all he reassured me and told me not to fear in any way the wrath of the gods. He then related to his sister the manner in which the cat had been killed, the steps he and Amuba had taken to conceal the body and his avowal to his father of his fault. I see it was not your fault, Cebron, but you know the laws of Egypt and the punishment for killing even a common cat. How could our father say that the gods would not be angry? I cannot tell you all, he said, Miza, though some day had I remained with you I might have done so. But he did say so, and you know how wise and good he was. Therefore I want you to remember what he said, so that when I am gone you will not all your life think of me as one accursed. Oh, I should never do that, Miza exclaimed, starting up and throwing her arms round her brother's neck. How could you think so? But why are you talking about going, and where are you going? I am going, Miza, because the people of Egypt do not view this matter in the same light as my father, but are hunting all the land to find and slay me and Amuba. For, not knowing the exact truth, they put us down as equally guilty. So we must fly. Our father gave full directions to Jethro, and we should by this time have been a long distance away had it not been that we stayed to find and rescue you. Then if the other things they told me are true, Chebron, it may be true too that the letter they showed me ordering me to consent to Mary Plexo was from my mother. How could she tell me that when she knew that I hated him, and she has over and over again spoken scornfully of his family before me? What did she say? Chebron asked. She said that now disgrace had fallen on the family I might think myself very fortunate in obtaining such an offer. Chebron was silent. He knew that his mother had never shown any earnest love either for Miza or himself, that her thoughts were entirely devoted to dress and entertainments, and that any love she had to give had been bestowed upon his brother. I fear it is true, Miza. But I will never marry Plexo. Miza exclaimed passionately, my father always said I should never marry a man I disliked. You will never marry Plexo, Miza. He is dead. Ruth uttered an exclamation. He died by his own hand, Ruth, that is, by an accident, as he fell his dagger pierced his own heart, and when Jethro went to look at him he was dead. The Lord requited him for his evil. Ruth said firmly, all things are in his hands. As I did not mean to slay him, I lament not over his death. Besides, he strove to take your life, and had I had a dagger in my hand I should assuredly have used it. Then what is to become of me? Miza asked. You must go back to your mother, Miza. There is not else for you to do. I will not, Miza exclaimed. She never loved me. She would have married me against my will to Plexo, although she knew he was bad, and that I hated him. She would make me marry someone else who was rich regardless of my wishes. No, Chebron. Nothing shall make me go back to her. Chebron looked perplexed. Here come Jethro and Amuba, dear. You had best talk it over with them. I see nothing else for you to do. As Jethro came up, Miza walked to meet him. I will not go back to my mother, Jethro, she exclaimed impetuously. She wanted me to marry Plexo. She would give me to someone else, and my father always said I should only marry someone I liked. You can never be so cruel as to give me up to her. I know that your father's wishes were strong upon that point, Jethro said, for he spoke to me of you when he gave me his commands respecting Chebron. He said that he wished that I could watch over you as over him, and it was because of what he had said that I disregarded his orders as to our instant flight, and lingered here in hopes of freeing you. Still I see not anything else to be done. Your mother doubtless wrote while still overpowered by grief at your father's loss, and thought that she was acting for your welfare in securing you an advantageous marriage in spite of the cloud under which your family was resting. I will not go to her, Miza repeated. She thought of herself as she always did, and not of me in any way. You know it was so, Chebron, you cannot deny it. Chebron was silent. His whole affection had been given to his father, for his mother he had comparatively little. As a child he had seldom been allowed to come into the room where she was. She declared that his noise was too much for her, that his talk made her head ache, and that his fidgeting about was too much to be borne, nor since that time had he been much more with her. It was his father, who had seen to his welfare and that of Miza, who would put aside his grave studies to walk and talk with them, who was always indulgent, always anxious to give them pleasure. He therefore thoroughly entered into Miza's feelings, but saw no possible alternative for her. But where could you go, Miza? Jethro asked. Where could you be placed? Wherever you were your mother in time would be sure to hear of it and would reclaim you. I shall go with Chebron and you and Amuba, Miza said positively. Impossible, Jethro replied. We are going upon a tremendous journey full of danger and fatigue. We are going among unknown and savage peoples. The chances are a hundred to one against our ever arriving at the end of our journey. If this is so to myself and to young men like Chebron and Amuba, for they are now past eighteen and will speedily be men, what chance would there be of success with you with us? I can walk as well as Chebron, Miza said. You know that, Chebron, and I suppose I could suffer hardship just as well. At any rate I would rather suffer anything and be with him and all of you than stop here. The people have murdered my father. My mother would sell me to the highest bidder. If the chances are so great that you will never get through your journey in safety, my being with you cannot make them so much greater. I have only Chebron in the world, and I will go where he goes and die where he dies. The gods can protect me just as well on a journey as here. Have they not protected you now and Chebron, too, by what he says? You will take me with you, dear Jethro, won't you? She urged pleadingly, You say my father wished you to watch over me. Do not forsake me now. Ruth will come with us, too. Will you not, Ruth? I am sure she will not be more afraid of the journey than I am. I will assuredly go if you go, Miza. The God of Israel can take us safely through all dangers if it be his will. Jethro was silent. Such an addition to his charge would assuredly add immensely to the difficulties of the journey, but on the other hand he remembered the anxiety of Emery's about Miza, and he asked himself what his late master would have wished had he known how matters stood. He glanced at Amuba and Chebron and saw at once that their wishes agreed with those of Miza. He turned away abruptly, and for some minutes paced up and down the garden. Then he returned to the group, among whom not a word had been exchanged since he left them. Miza, he said gravely, This is a great thing that you ask. There is no disguising that your presence will add greatly to our difficulties, will add also to our perils, and may render it impossible for me to carry out your father's wishes and to conduct Chebron to a land where he will be beyond the persecution of Egypt. Such an enterprise must be undertaken in no light spirit. If you go you must be prepared to face death in all forms, by hunger and thirst and the weapons of the wild natives. It may even be that your lot may be that of slavery among them. It is a terrible journey for men, more terrible still for women. Still if you are resolved, resolved with the strength and mind of a woman and not of a child, that after having once turned your back upon Egypt you will never repent the step you have taken or wished to return, but will be steadfast under all the trials that may befall us, then I say that you shall share our lot. Miza uttered an exclamation of joy. I promise, Jethro, and whatever may happen, hardship, danger, or death, you shall never hear a word of complaint from me. Are you not glad, Ruth? I think it well, Ruth said gravely. It is a great undertaking, but I think that God's hand is in it. I too would feign leave this land of idols, and accept those here I have none in the world to care for. And now, Jethro, Amuba said, what had we best do? It is already almost dark, therefore we could set out at once. Could we make use of the chariot? Jethro considered for a short time. Except for carrying any things we may want for our first start, I do not see that we can do so, he said, for where we leave the chariot tomorrow morning it would be found, and when it is known that Tylus' chariot was missing it would soon be recognized as his, and thus a clue afforded to the fact that we had fled south. As to traveling in it beyond to-night, it would be out of the question. Besides it will only hold three at the most. No, if we use it at all it must be to drive north, and so throw them off the scent. I think it will be worth doing that. I will undertake that part of the business, Amuba said. There will be much for you to do to-morrow, Jethro, which only you can arrange. There's the boat to be hired, stores laid in, and all got in readiness. I think the best plan will be for you both to start at once with the girls for Thebes. You and Chebran can occupy your hiding place on the hill, and Chebran will be glad to take the girls into his house. There is no danger of an immediate search being made for them. Tonight when the priest and his son do not return their servants will suppose that they have slept here. It will not be until late to-morrow afternoon that there will be any alarm or any likelihood of a messenger being sent over here. Then the consternation and confusion that will be caused will be so great that probably no one will think of carrying the news to the officials until the next morning. Besides, until the story of Miza's having been here and of her being missing is generally known, there is no reason that what has taken place should be attributed to us. Therefore, for the next forty-eight hours, I think that they would be perfectly safe at the embalmers. I will drive the chariot thirty or forty miles north, then turn the horses loose where they are sure to be noticed ere long, and will return on foot and join you in your hiding-place to-morrow night. I think your plan is a very good one, Amuba. Before we start I will make a search through the house. There will be nothing we want to take with us, nor would we want to touch any of the treasure of the villains where the house full of it. But if I toss some of the things about it will look as if robbery had been the motive of what has taken place. The men in bonds can know nothing of the real state of things. Plexo, when he rushed out for their aid, could have had no time to do more than to tell them to take up their arms and follow him. Indeed it is doubtful whether he himself had any idea that we were ought but what we seemed. Therefore the first impression assuredly will be that we were malefactors of the worst kind. Escaped slaves, men with no respect for the gods, for assuredly no Egyptians, even the worst of criminals, would in cold blood have laid hands on the high priest of Osiris. They laid hands on my father, Chebran said bitterly. Yes, but not in cold blood. Reports had first been spread among them that he was untrue to the gods, and then they were maddened by fanaticism and horror at the death of that sacred cat. But in cold blood, as I said, no Egyptian, however vile and criminal, would lift his hand against a priest. You may as well come with me, Amuba. It would be strange if one of us only took part in the search. In ten minutes Jethro and Amuba had turned the place into confusion in forcing open chests and cabinets, and littering the floor with garments, then taking a few of the most valuable vases and jewels, they threw them into the pond round the fountain, where they would be concealed from view by the water lilies which floated on its surface. They examined afresh the fastenings of the captives, and felt assured that by no possibility could they free themselves. They will be sure to be freed by tomorrow night, Amuba said, otherwise I should not like to leave them here to die of hunger and thirst. I should be only too glad, Jethro said, if I thought there was a chance of there being here forty hours instead of twenty. Doubtless this is not the first evil business they have carried out for their villain master, and they may think themselves lucky indeed that we do not take what would be in every way the safest and best course, namely to run a sword through their bodies and silence them forever. If I thought they could tell anything I would do so now, but I really do not think that anything they can tell would add to our danger. Of course the priest's wife knows that Miza is hidden here, and will proclaim the fact that she has been here and is now missing, as she would consider it might afford a clue for the apprehension of those who attacked the house and slew her husband and son. Therefore I do not see that there would be much to be gained by silencing these people, but if you think differently I will finish them at once. Amuba shook his head, for although human life in those days was thought little of, saved by the Egyptians themselves, he shrank from the thought of slaying captives in cold blood. No, they can tell nothing, Jethro, you had best be moving, there is nothing more to talk over. I think all our plans were arranged long ago, except of course that you must get rather a larger boat than you had intended, together with garments for the girls. I think it would be best that Chebran should still be disguised as a woman, but we can settle that tomorrow night. There is a good store of dresses for us to choose from at Chegrans. Amuba led the horses to a stone water trough and allowed them to quench their thirst. Then he mounted the chariot and drove off, while the rest of the party set out on foot for Thebes. It was so late before they reached Chegrans' house that they thought it better not to arouse the inmates, as comment would be excited by the arrival of women, at so late an hour and unexpected by the master, the girls therefore passed the night in the rock chamber behind the building, while Jethro and Chebran lay down outside. As soon as dawn broke they moved some distance away. Jethro went to the house as soon as there was a sign that there was any one astir, and told Chegran that they had discovered and rescued Miza. Chegran was much disturbed when he heard of the death of the High Priest and his son. I don't say these men were not villains, Jethro, but that two High Priests should be slaughtered in the course of a month is enough to bring the anger of all the gods upon Egypt. However, the poor girls are not responsible for it in any way, and I will willingly shelter them, especially as it is but for one night, but I own that I shall be vastly relieved when I know that you are all fairly on your journey. That I can well understand, Jethro said, and believe me the gratitude of those you have sheltered, which you will have as long as they live, may well outweigh any doubts that may present themselves as to whether you have acted wisely in aiding those who are victims to the superstitions of your countrymen. Chegran called his servants and told them that he had just heard of the arrival from the country of some friends and ordered a room to be prepared for them. He then went out and returned an hour later with the two girls. He led them quietly into the house and direct to the apartment prepared for them so that they were unseen by any of the servants. Then he called an old servant on whose fidelity he could rely and charged her to wait upon them during the day and to suffer none other to enter the apartment. He bade her convey the impression to the other servants that the visitors were aged women and to mention that they intended to make a stay of a few hours only, until some friends with whom they were going to stay should send in a cart to carry them to their house in the country. The old woman at once prepared baths for the girls and then supplied them with a meal after which they lay down on couches and were soon fast asleep. For the excitement of the preceding evening and the strangeness of their position in the comfortless stone chamber had prevented their closing an eye during the night and they had spent the hours in talking over the terrible loss Miza had sustained and the journey that lay before them. Half an hour later Chegran went out again and was soon joined by Jethro, who had now resumed his attire as a citizen of middle class. It was necessary that Chegran should accompany him and take the chief part in making the arrangements, for although Jethro had learned in his two years' captivity to speak Egyptian fluently, he could not well pass as a native. Chegran therefore did most of the bargaining, Jethro keeping somewhat in the background. They first took their course down to the river bank. Here innumerable craft lay moored, for the Nile was the highway of Egypt, and except for short journeys all traffic was carried on on its waters. As soon as it was known that they were looking for a boat they were surrounded by the owners of the various craft, each praising the speed, safety and comfort of his boat. Chegran however was some time before he made his choice. Then he fixed upon a boat that seemed well suited for the purpose. She carried a mast and large sail to take advantage of favourable winds. She was light and a very small draft, and being constructed entirely for passenger traffic she had a large cabin divided into two parts for the accommodation of ladies, the crew consisting of the captain and four men sleeping on the deck. I think your boat will do very well, he said to the captain, provided we can come to terms. My friend is going up with his family as far as Sayin at any rate, and possibly on to Ibskayak. His business may take him even further. What will be your terms a week? I suppose my lord will provide food for the crew as well as for his own family. That will be the best way, Jethro said. Then will he pay for extra hands where the current runs so strong that the crew cannot tow the boat unaided against it? Jethro assented. And will he return with it or remain for a while at the end of his journey? It is probable that his business may detain him there for a considerable time, Chegran replied. He has relations there with whom he will wish to make a stay. But this should make no difference. You will have no difficulty in obtaining passengers or freight for your journey down. It was a long time before a bargain was struck, for Chegran knew that the boatmen would consider it strange indeed where the terms he first asked to be accepted. But at last an arrangement satisfactory to both parties was concluded. It was arranged that the start should take place early on the following morning, and Chegran then proceeded with Jethro to make the purchases requisite for the voyage, mats, cushions, and curtains for furnishing the boat, cooking utensils and provisions for the crew and passengers. Of these, however, it was not necessary to take a very large quantity, as the boat would lie up to the bank every night near one of the frequent villages, and here there would be no difficulty in purchasing provisions of all kinds. Some jars of good wine were, however, among the stores purchased, and in addition to these were several bales of costly merchandise and a large stock of such articles as would be useful for trade with the natives of the wilder parts of the country. A supply of arms, bows, arrows, and lances was also placed on board. It was late in the afternoon before all these things were got on board the boat and everything arranged in order. Having seen all complete, Chegran returned with Jethro to his house. Jethro, after seeing the girls, who had just woke up and partaken of a meal, went up to the hiding-place on the hill, and found that Amuba had just joined Chegran there. Is all going on well, the lads asked as he entered. Everything is in readiness. The boat is hired and furnished. I have a good store of merchandise for trading in Mero, besides trinkets of many kinds for the peoples lying between Mero and the Red Sea. So far everything promises well. The boatmen belong to the Upper Nile, and their dialect differs too widely from that spoken here, for them to be able to distinguish that I do not talk pure Egyptian. I wondered why it was that Chegran was such a long time in making his choice between the boats, when, as far as I could see, there were scores that would have equally suited our purpose. But I found afterward that it was the boatmen rather than the boat which he was selecting, and that he chose those coming from far up the river, partly because their speech differed so widely from that of Thebes, that they would not detect the roughness of my tongue, and secondly because they would be more likely to continue the voyage further to the south than would the boatmen of this port who would regard it as a serious undertaking to proceed beyond Ibskayak. Therefore we need fear no suspicion on the part of our boatmen. I suppose you disposed of the chariot as we arranged Amuba. Yes, I drove north for five hours and then turned aside into a wood. Here I loosed the horses so that they could feed as they chose. They were doubtless by morning stray into the fields, and so attract attention. Then there would be a search to see to whom they belonged, and the chariot would be found. By the time that the news spreads that Tylus is dead, and also that his chariot and horses are missing, and have doubtless been taken off by those who had attacked him, the tidings that the chariot is found will have been taken to the nearest town, and it will shortly be reported all over the country that we are making north, and the search for us will be made in that direction only. Are you going back to the house, Jethro? Yes, Chigrond has given out to his servants that the visitors are relatives of mine, and as I have been frequently seen going in and out in this garb, they are now accustomed to me, and it will be natural for me to sleep there to-night and to start with them in the morning. We shall start exactly at sunrise, you had better wait at a distance from the house and follow us, coming up and joining us just as we reached the riverside. The boat will be taken above the city to the highest steps, and we shall be able to proceed to that point without entering the town itself. Be careful with your disguises. The news of the death of Tylus will not, I hope, be generally known in the city until we are fairly afloat. Were it otherwise it would be dangerous for you to run the risk of being seen abroad.