The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08


 write romance, he gave the world his series of Egyptian stories believeins, as he said, that the public would be grateful to scholar who did not disdain to make them acquainted with his results of his labor in tie form which is most attractive to them. The great popularity which his romances at once attained and which has continued to attend them proves that he was not mistaken.
 A fREAT crowd had assembled in
 "A the harbor of sais. Egyptians of \ both sexes and of every rank stood close together at the edge of the water. Soldiers and merchants in white garments bordered with fringes the length of which was determined by the rank of the wearer mingled in the crowd of muscular men, naked except for their loin-cloth, the usual garment of the com- mon people. Naked and screaming chill dren fought and struggled with each other to obtain better places, and mothers wear ing short cloaks held aloft their little ones in order that they might get a view of the spectacle which all had come out to see. the arrival of the ambassadors from the great King of Persia, Cambyses,
 
 raoh, Amass, the hand of his daughter in marriage for their royal master.
 A great number of dogs and cats fought at the feet of the eager spectators, who moved cautiously to avoid stepping upon these animals, sacred in the Egyptian region. Constabes, armed with long slaves and metal knobs of which bore the name of the King of Upper and Lower Egypt took special care that no one should be pushed into the swollen river, whose waters. at this time of flood. washed the walls of sais.
 On the broad stone steps lined with rows of sphinxes and leading down to the river was different class of people. The chief priests sat there in their long, white robes. motionless upon benches of stone. There also sat the. chief judge, conspic- uous by his headdress of ostrich feath- CTS and the amulet of emerald which hung by a golden chain upon his breast. The higher officers of the army stood on the steps clad in colored coats of mail and carrying short swords in their belts. A division of the royal bodyguard stood on the right of the steps, They were armed with battleaxes. bows and ar rows, daggers and large shields. On the left of the steps was stationed the guard of Greek mercenaries, those soldiers upon whom the Emperor Amasis depended largely for his power and safety. The Greeks were cladI in Ionic armor, had swords at their sides and carried in their hands long spears with shining sharp points,
 At the head of the steps were two colossal statutes, seated, with their stern and mysterious faces turned to- ward the river. In front of them, upon d chair of solid silver, sat the Elm peror's son. Prince Psamtik, in a close fitted colored coat woven with gold. He was surrounded by a throng of courtiers and court officials carrying slaves tipped with ostrich feathers and bearing golden lotus flowers In their hands. Tine populace shouted, screamed, surged about and gave unmistakable signs of impatience. But the guards up on the steps of stone and the group of royal officials collected about their prince gave no sign of life or motion. Silent, stern, impossible as the great statutes which lowered above them, they sat or stood as if they, too, had been carved from solid stone looking gravely and steadily at the river.
 Now the blue and purple sails were visible coming up the Nile from the sea above the vessels which bore the embassy of the great Cambyses. As the first boat stopped at the landing the royal trumpeter blew long pierc- ing blast The first vessel was long and narrow and richly gilt, It's prov running up until it ended in the sem blance of the head and bill of a hawk A golden pavilion with purple roof was upon the deck and under it re- clined upon sumptuous cushions six handsome and splendidly dressed men. the chiefs of the embassy. In the for ward part of the boat were 24 oarsmen of wonderful physical development, naked except as to lion cloths confined by straps rich in gems and embroidery of silver and gold.
 Before the boat had come to a full stop the youngest of the men under the purple canopy sprang ashore. A mur- mur of admiration arose from the crowd. The youth was Bartja son of the late King of Persia, the great Cy- rus, and brother of the present King, Canbyses, Thick, fair, golden curIs streamed from the blue and white hllet which was wound around his tiara; his blue eyes were full of life. happiness kindnes coura ge and even pride. His noble face, upon which just be- ginning to appear the soft down of the coming hearth, would have been worthy of a Greek sculptor; his slen- der, muscular form betokened great strength and activity.
 The splendor of his dress was worthy Y of lis rank. great star of diamonds and turpuoises glittered in the center of his tiara; his upper garment of heavy white and gold brocade which fell below his knees, was confined at the waist by sash of blue and white, the royal colors of the reigning house of Persia A short sword, the golden scabbard of which was ncrusted with many flashing gems, hung at his side His trousers of gold brocade were gathered in at the ankles and reached to low. light blue shoes of leather His powerful arms, which his loose sleeves left bare, were adorned with many costly and jeweled bracelets and 8 geidSn chain hung about his neck
 After this young and beautiful Prince there sprans ashore another young man. Rartja's cousin, Darius son of Hystapes.