Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-01-30


covered with hieroglypmcs, which doubt
less were intended to record the exploits Of
the warrior Twonty-four censers of bronze
were ranged on the steps of the tomb (;
these had probably been filed on the day of
the funeral with perfumes or incense. A
round the royal mummy, and placed close
against the wall, were more than hundred
cotiins, each containing its mummy. This
silent court of the great monarch was COM
posed of his ministers, of his wives, and
his most famous captains; on these collins
were painted the attributes for which, while
living, their occupants we're distinguished
I The women had doves ia token Of their
grace the ministers, ploughs and bes the
generals, lions aud trumpets The statues
of Isis aud Osiris, Of colossal size, were
1 placed beneath an arch, and reigned over
this silent court These statues wete of
jasper, and their heads were surmounted by
kind OF golden circle. enriched wi,h pre-
cious stones, which, in the surrounding
darkness, ghttered like stars in the hrma.
ment.
La four small vases, placed upon granite
pedestals, were heaped up gold aud silver
CONS aud medals. REPRESENTING the glorious
events Of the long reign of Sesostris. Here
and there standards bad been fixed, long
since fallen to decay, and OF which the bra
zen slaves alone remained there were al
50 other kinds OF trophies, such as swords
ofthe Modes, bows aud arrows of the Assy-
rlans &c
Buouaparie contemplated in silence this
pomp Of death--these sacred veslIges of d
glory which had existed IN ages long past
lie gazed upon the corpse of the great Sc
soslris, which still appeared to receive the
homage of the women be had loved OF the
ministers he had consulted, OF the Warriors
he had so often led to victory. The mind
of the young General was prey to thou-
sand different emotions he appeared alb
sorbed 10 deep thought
'Scigneur SAID the Imam, 1t is time to
return 10 sour soldiers-csne.
The General mechanically made few
steps after his guide, bni suddenly returned,
and raising his haud above the body OF Sc
soslris, exclaimed - Pharolh Egypt shall
no longer remaiuin slavery; will restore her
TO her rank among the nations OF the earth !!
Selnneur, SAID the Imam, who had rev.
erenualiy prostraied himself before the cen
oiaph Of Pharoah, aud now rose aud pre-
scented to BuonapaTte a medal which had
been taken from one of the htle heaps We
have already described you are but the
third warrior who, for a period OF three
thousand wears has visited Tins tomb un-
known to The protane. Like your prede-
cessors, you have not entertained the guilty
thought OF robbiug this tomb Of the holy
riches it encloscs-may Heavens blessing
rest upon you; accept. as a remembrance
OF your visit TO the tomb Of the great Pha-
roah, this piece of gold impressed with his
inage--it will be to you tallsman, pledge
of success az long as you carry 1t with
You, victory Will continue to shine on your
banners, and everything wiz succeed tothe
utmost OF Your wishes. Alexander and
Caesar both received from my ancestors the
same present, and they did not meet their
death until they had lost tins mysterious
pledge Of an alliance with the Pharoahs. -
Buonaparle took the medal, and fixed a
searching glance or the Imam Are YOU
what you seem to be ? inquired he abruptly
your language bellies your costume and
character
Pardon me, seigneur, am but a poor
Imam but | am of the race of the Aba
sides no one but myself could have pene-
tratcd into this tomb, or could have served
as your guide, Cor no Que else in Egypt
knows OF 1t. From my earliest infancy my
ancestros initiated me into its secrets, and
taught me the meaning of these hIeroglyph-
les, which are the history Of Egypt
Imam, replied Baonaparte, thank you
+ for your guidance; be assured that ! shall
ever remember my visit to the tomb of Ses-
OSIRIS, and preserve the medal you have gN-
en- me-
You will do well said the Imam; but,
seigneur, ! have another request to make
what is III asked die General, speak.
The entrance TO this sanctuary Is, | re-
peat, only known 20 me. II would be dan
gerous for strangers, or even for Egyptians,
to know OF the treasures II encloses. All
men are not Alexanders, Caesars, or Buona-
parties, and avarice might give use to sac
rilege. Swear 10 me- then, selgneur, swear
to me- on the sacred word oi our great
Prophet, that you viii never dWuIge what
YOU have seen IA tins gloomy recess Of the
great pyramid
As he spoke the Imam drew from his boz
som the Koran, and presented It to the Cen
eral.
swear il = replied Buonaparte, solemn
( ly placing his hand on the sacred book.
1t IS we'll! said the Imam; aud now
we can reloiu your SUIT, who are doubtless
uneasy at your absence. But one request
more, seigneur; before your officers, treat
me only as a poor Imam, it Is necessary
that my connection with the Sultan of the
French army should be unknown 10 the
muphils of my nation
Your request Is granted, noble AbasIde,
replied Bnonaparle. The Imam bowed, and
all three Ietraced their steps.
Ia the meanwhile the soldiers ard Off
GERS of the escort began to feel great anxl-
ETY. al the prolonged absence OF their gem
eral. More than two hours had elapsed
since his departure, aud the grenadlers al
ready began TO talk OF advancing into the
dark passage by which he had disappeared.
Juuoi, particularly, feared that the Imam
might be one of those fanatics who deemed
the murder of Buouaparte, aud his own SUI
icide, deed which would obtain him favour
with the Prophet
A gloomy silence reigned among the
group who were awaiting him, when at
length sound oi footsteps was heard, and
then faint CLEAN of high, shot across the
] Al. a Il. A.