Oxford eagle., 1906-04-26


present moment for help. II l.
known that the former are not
pleased with Pharaohs cruel meas
ures. as they call them.
After the beating I gave that feI-
low-Jahziel by name-last night
passed on. and after had gone some
little distance paused to adjust my
apparel which had become disar-
ranged by the violence OF ny exer-
cise--it does beat all how inconven-
lent these little attentions We have
TO bestow upon these Hebrews are"
he added in an aside, with a brutal
ehuckle--and hearing footsteps,
stepped one side out OF sight. and
presently along came this Hebrew
whom I had just beaten He Was he-
iax helped &c cts home ey friend.
and as I listened overheard him
mention the name OF Kephren. who as
you know Is a prominent person liv-
ing near to Memphis. saying that he
would get him 20 have me removed
from position Of overseer. And that
is what brings me to Memphis. for
there is no telling what influence
these sympathtzers of the Hebrews
might bring to bear upon Pharaoh
and his advisers"
What do you propose doing7"
Watch this man Kephren's move
ments. and IL possible learn what he
intends TO do. But | need your help
in this matter. and was on my way
to find you when our chance meeting
brought us together. And here we
are at your door. What do you say,
You are a merchant here in Mem
phis. kephren has fruits to sell. Let
this be an occasion for you To visit
him. IL | mistake not you have al
ready had some dealings with him
and your presence there would ex-
cite no suspicious. II you go to-mor-
row you will doubtless be there when
this Hebrew arrives. for he was com
ing down this way with a gang of
the men serving under him to gather
the stubble which has already been
stripped from the fields nearer home.
VIII you do this thing for me-"
Il will. was the reply as they sep
arated.
The next day morning found Ny
kerinus knocking at the gate of
kephren and he was soon bargaining
for the fruits Of the extensive gar
den.
Il will go out and look over what
you have at my leisure. and we can
come to price later. No, you need
not trouble to come with me- he
added as his host arose to go with
him. for doubtless you have many
things to occupy your attention
As he passed through the groves OF
trees examining the fruit ne encoun-
tered n servant At work there. Stop
ping 10 talk with him concerning the
fruit and the weii-kept trees he led
to the thought uppermost In his mind
and spoke casually of the poor
Hebrews al work in the strbble fields
Yes. master is quite interested in
them" was the reply. He is talk
ing with one OF the Hebrews in the
summer house yonder. now" point
/ ing as he spoke to a small building
whose top could Just be seen through
/ the luxuriant growth OF trees and
/ vines and flowers which surrounded
and covered il.
Mykerinus tried not TO appear spc-
cially interested in the remark and
sauntered OF leisurely. but he took
good pains to go in the direction in
dicated. and. approaching the place
/ from the rear. he was able to gain a
point from which he could hear the
voices.
You must needs see Pharaoh, you
and other OF your officials. he over
heard kephren say. Il will make il
possible for you TO gain his presence.
and as regards this matter OF Ak
horis. we will see that Pharaoh hears
some stories that will anger the latter
against him But you must be going
now, and have a care how thou leave
the garden for there is present here
to-day Memphis merchant whom il
would not be well to have know Of
our meeting.
Mykerinus remained quiet in his
hiding place until the footsteps had
died away in the distance and then
he made a detour of the garden and
reached the house where he closed
his bargain and took his departure.
We must take the sting from
Kephren stories" AkhOris exclaimed.
when Mykerinus had made his report
we must prejudice Pharaoh AGAINST
the coming Of these Hebrew ofncials
80 that he viii neither listen To them
or believe the stories Waen they come
TO his ears
Trust ne for that. was the con
fident reply. Among the priests and
the soldiers are nave such a system
as viii carry any tidings Ne may wish
to Pharaoh. and you can trust the
crafty priests 10 give such eoloring
TO matters as shall best suit US
Three days later the company OF
Hebrew officials appeared at the pal
ace with Jahziel as their spokes-
man and leader. and through the kind
ly Offices Of kephren they were ad-
mitted to the royal presence The
king sat upon his thrune. ana about
him on either hand were his advisers
and other Egyptian officials making
an impressive and solemn scene In
spite Of all this Jahziel spoke up
bravely. saying:
Wherefore. oh king dealest thus
with thy servants There is no strz.
given unto thy servants. and thy
overseers say unto Us. Make BRICK
and. behold. thy servants are beaten-
but the fault IS a h->Sa.1iI. =
Silence filed the great room As he
ceased speaking. and then n move
ment at the side OF the king drew his
attention and that OF the others and
from behind one Of the giant pillars
stepped Akhoris. The spasm Of sur.
prise and fear which swept over his