Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-08

it was q long time since anyone had ap-
peared to demand either admission or exit.
At last, three hours after sunset, slender
lad, half boy, half youth, appeared He
went with steady step up to the watch and,
showing him a messengers token, asked the
way to Prince Siptah's tent. He looked as
if he had had difficult journey; his thick
black hair was disheveled and his feet
covered with dust and caked in mud. Yet
he reused no suspicious, for his manner was
independent and free, his messengers pass
in perfect order, and the letter which he bore
was clearly directed to the Prince; scribe
of the granary who was sitting at the next
fire with other officials and subalterns con-
irmed the fact.
Since the youth S appearance pleased most
of them, and as he came from Tanis and
perhaps brought news, he was invited to take
a place at the fire and share their meal; but
he was in haste.
Thanking them, he refused, answered
their questions shortly and quickly, and
asked one of the company to be his guide.
Immediately one of them put himself at his
disposal. But he soon learned that it was
not easy to achieve seeing member of the
royal household; for the tents of Pharaoh,
his relations and dignitaries, stood apart in
the very heart of the camp, inclosed by the
shields of the heavily armed foot soldiers,
and when he tried to pass in he was referred
from one to another, and his messengers
token and the Princes letter were repeated
,ly examined. His guide was also dismissed,
and in his place an official of high rank,
known as 'the eye and ear of the King"
came forward and began to meddle with the
seal of the letter. The bearer very decided
ly demanded the missiVe back; and direct
ly he had it in his hand once more
he went toward two tents, standing side by
side and shaken by the wind, which were
pointed out to him as those of Prince Siptah
and Kasana, Hornecht's daughter, for whom
he had also inquired. A chamberlain came
out of the Princes tent, to whom he showed
the letter he bore, requesting him to con-
duct him to his lord; but the official, having
desired him to hand the letter to him instead
of the Prince, Ephraim, for he it was, con-
sented to do so on condition of the chamber
lain's forthwith procuring him admission to
Kasana's presence.
The steward seemed most anxious to get
the letter into his hands. After he had ex-
amined Ephraim from top to toe he asked
him whether Kasana knew him, and when
the other answered him in the affirmative
and added that he brought verbal message
for her the Egyptian, smiling said: "Good
then; but we must protect our carpets from
such feet and you seem to me altogether
exhausted and in need of refreshment, Fol-
low me!''
Thereupon he led him into little tent
before which an old slave, and another who
was still almost a child, sat by the fire con-
cluding their meal with bunch of garlic.
On seeing their master they sprang up; he
ordered the old man to wash the messengers
feet and the young one to fetch in his name
meat, bread and wine from the Princes tent.
He then took Ephraim into his own tent,
which was lighted by lantern. and asked
him how it was that he, who looked so little
like serf or common fellow, had such a
forlorn appearance. Then the messenger
answered that he had on his way bound up
the wounds of severely injured man with
his upper garment so the steward at once
reached toward his packages and handed
him a wrapper of fine linen.
Ephraim's reply, which was very near
the truth, was given with such promptness
and sounded so genuine that it was believed,
and the stewards kindness SO overwhelmed
him with gratitude that he raised no obiec-
tion when, with practiced hand and with
out damaging the seal, he pressed the fexi-
BILE roll Of papyrus, bent the separate LAYERS
apart, and peeping in the opening, ac-
uuainted himself with the contents OF the
letter. At the same time the burly courier's
eyes glistened keenly, and it seemed to the
youth that the mans face, which at first
had appeared to him, with its comfortable
fulIness and round smoothness, the very
mirror of good nature, had become like that
of cat.
As soon as the steward had finished this
operation he begged the boy to rest himself
thoroughly; and he did not return until
Ephraim had bathed, and stood with the
new linen cloth round his loins, his hair
anointed and scented, looked in the mirror,
and in the act of putting broad gold hoop
round his arm.
He had hesitated for some time, as he
knew be was about to face great dangers; this
bracelet however, was his only Valuabls
possession. and he had taken great trouble
during his captivity to keep it hidden in his
loin-clofh. It might yet render him good
service, but if he wore it it would attract
attention to his person and increase his risk
of being recognized. But the image he saw
reflected in the mirror, his vanity, and the
wish to find favor in Kasana's eyes tr-
umphed over prudence, and the costly orna-
ment was soon shining on his arm. The
| Chamberlain gazed with amazement at the
transformation of the unkempt messenger
into a proud-looking youth; the question
rose to his lips whether he were some kin to
Kasana, and when Ephraim replied in the
negative he asked to what family he be-
longed.
At this Ephraim stood for some time with
| downcast eyes and besought the Egyptian
to excuse him from replying till be should
have spoken to Kasana. The other shook
his head doubtingly as he looked at him,
but he urged him no further, for what he
had discovered from the letter was secret
which might cost all who knew it their life,
and the handsome young bearer must surely