Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-12
CHAPTER XIV.
The Traitors.

The morning of the second day after the
lifting of the darkness lay golden over
Egypt, blue-shadowed before the houses and
trees to the west and shimmering and il
lusory toward the east. A slow-moyine
fragmentary cloud had gathered in the
zenith just after dawn and for many min
utes over the northern part of Goshen there
had been perpendicular downpour of H.
Illuminated rain. Now the sky was as clear
and blue as a sapphire and the little wind
was burdened with odorous scents from the
clean-washed pastures of Israel.
Seti had crossed the border into Goshen at
daybreak and was now well into the graz
highlands. yet scintillating with the rain
The hoofs of his fat little horse were patch
ed with wet sand of the roadway and there
was no dust on the. princes modest raiment.
Behind the youth plodded two heavy-head-
ed. limped-eared sumpter- mules, driven by
a -boned black
Seti was not far from his destination. an
obscure village of image makers directly
south of Tanis and situated on the north
ern border of Goshen. The same region that
furnished clay to Israel for Egypt's bricks
afforded material for terra-cotta statuettes.
Ahead of him were fields with the clouds
of sheep upon the uplands and cattle stand
Ing under the shade OF dom-palms. Here
and there novels with thatches no higher
long use, and lifted at one side, stood in a
setting of green. About them were orderly
and productive gardens. Nowhere was any
sign of the desolation that prevailed over
Egypt.
Set looked upon the beautiful prosperity
Of Goshen at first with the natural delight
loneliness inspires, and then with as much
savage resentment as his young soul could
feel. Betting this garden and stretching
for seven hundred miles to the south, was
Egypt. desolate, barren and comatose. The
God of the Hebrews had avenged them
fearfuly.
They had provocation," he muttered to
himself; but they have overdone their ven
genance.
A figure appeared on the road over the
comb of slight ridge, and Seti regarded
the wayfarer with interest.
He was Hebrew. His draperes were
loose, voluminous. heavily fringed and of
In the light wind. His head was covered
with wide kerchief which was bound with
cord, and hid the forehead
he was of good stature and upright, but
MS drapings were ample that the str,ct-
ure OF his frame was not discernible His
eyes were black. bright and young in their
aiertness, but the beard that rippled over
his breast to his girdle was as white as the
foam of the Middle sea.
The Hebrew walked in the grass by the
roadside and came on, his face expectant
Al sight of the prince he stepped into the
roadway. Set1 drew up.
Thou art Seti-Meneptah2" the ancient
wayfarer asked.
Even so.' the prince answered
The Hebrew put back his kerchief and
stood uncovered
'Dost thou know me, my son?' he asked
Thou art that Aaron. of the able tongue.
brother to Mesu. Where is thy brother?'
Moses hath departed for Tanis."
And named thee in his stead. But his
mission to my fathers capital BODIES no
good. He might have stayed until could
have persuaded him into friendship"
Not with all thy goid!" said Aaron
gravely.
Nay, had not meant that" Seti re-
Joined with some resentment IF Egypt's
plight cannot win mercy from him by its
own piteousness, the treasure l bring Is not
enough"
The Hebrew waved his hand as if to dis
miss the subject.
Thou hast put faith in thine enemy.
A woman hath deceived thee"
What dost thou tell me?" Seti cried,
leap ping to the ground and angrily confront
ing Aaron.
"a truth" the Hebrew answered calmly.
'"The Princess Ta-user is fugitive charged
with treason"
Seti turned cold and smote his forehead.
..Undone through mel he groaned.
mot so, my son. Thou art undone
through her. Thy blind trust hath already
heavy punishment upon thy head. Thou
hast dealt kindly with me. and ! am be-
holden to thee Give me leave to discharge
"Say on said the prince.
The Hebrew began at once.
what tell thee, o my son, will soon be
talked abroad over the land. But If thou
hast a doubt in thy heart, and art like to
question my truth-speaking. there are wit