The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-08-07

G~1ENKENES had spent two weeks
TX in Goshen in systematic search
w, for Tbe aasls'. 1apor had been time con-
suming and fruitless.
It was the morning after the Pass
over. and Kenkenes, the son Of Mentu,
was the only Egyptian frstborn that
lived. to see it break. Kenkenes took
counsel with himself. By steady rid
ing he could reach Tanis shortly, but
once within the capital of the Pharaoh
he was near to Har-hat and within
reach of the fan bearers potent hand.
When be entered the city he must be
mentally and physically alert. He mad
not slept since the last daybreak, and
he was weary and heavy headed.
He dismounted and, leading his horse
some distance from the road into the
fringe of water sprouts which lined
the canal, picketed him within shade,
out Of view from the highway. Ken
kenes rolled his mantle for pillow
and flung himself into the grass, where
he lay half buried in green and slept
Three mounted soldiers leading, a
score of horses passed. The Arab in the
copse whinnied softly. A second trio
Of soldiers, following with smaller
drove, heard the call from - bushes
and drew up. The foremost man spoke
to another, tossed the knotted brides
to him and, dismounting, came through
the copse to the Arab. There ne found
the young nobleman sleeping.
For a moment he hes1tated, but no
longer. Silently ne united the horse,
led him forth, attached him with the
iothers and speedily took the road to-
ward Tanis.. ! .
Kenkenes stirred and opened his
eyes. After a moment he sat up and
looked for the Arab. The horse was
gone.
KenkeneS arose and searched indus
itriously. Two ragged lines of huts,
built OF sun dried brick, formed sin
gle Struggling street A low shed, the
first building Kenkenes came upon,
showed Pickering red light. a spare
figure darted into it Just ahead Of the
young man.
From .be threshold the whole CT the
snail intel-:o1 was visible.
The light came from snail anneai-
ins oven. \. table. 9Teri2;d VIII
Tin SLAB IL stone, q MAJ ~,2s IaoGei-
ing I, cast Ill cIay. On the opposite sue
OF the room was younger man paint
ing an image preparatory to burning
it in the oven. The walls We're black
with smoke, the floor strewn with
broken images and dried crumbs OF
clay.
In the center Of the room was the
spare figure in white robes. kenkenes
had opened his lips to speak when the
conversation among the trio stopped
him.
"Cowards. Dastards!" the spare man
yociferated. is there not patriot ID
Egypt? The Pharaoh. in danger and
not a man in the hamlet who will raise
a heel TO save himi'
Kenkenes stepped into the she'd.
What is this concerning the Israel
ites?' he demanded.
THE news is not to be CRIED abroad"
the spare man replied shortly.
Thou hast become cautious too late"
Kenkenes retorted. The most of thy
talk have l heard. 1 would know the
rest Of it.
BY Bast, thou art inperious! In
my great days the mobiles groveled to
me. Now am l commanded by them.
How thou art fallen, Jambres:
The Israelites, my lord" he con-
tinued mockingly, departed out of the
land of Goshen in The early morning
hours of this day, but the Pharaoh
hath repented and will pursue them.
to turn them back or to destroy them
The old mans voice lost its sarcasm
and became anxious.
But the signs are ominous, the por-
tents are evil know, l know, for l
am no less mystic because l have
i"l!eii f:ON state. Ills SeeI9 d1e A1dA >,
,he..- cannot guide the king. He must
!. not pursue them, for death shadows
him the hour he leaves the gates OF
Tans. He must hot go. l love him
vet. and cannot see him overthrown.
.Thc1 art no more eager to stay him
than l." kenke2es answered quickly.
Thou art in need OF runner I am
one
From the tunnel-like entrance be
tween the dwarf pyloas light was diff
fused as though it came through thin
hangings The pair entered the porch
and passed into the sanctuary.
Entering his study. Jambres made
his way TO the heavy. table and, fun
bling about the compartments under
it, drew forth a wrapped and address
ed roll. Taking up q lighted lamp, he
scrutinized the messenger sharply.
Art thou seasoned: Canst thou en-
dure: Nay, 40 need TO ask that" be
answered himself. surveying the strong
figure before him. But who art thou