The Washington times., 1919-05-25
CHAPTER XVII.
The Dream of Merapi.

a WHILE went by, 1t may have
"A been fourteen days, during
4 \ which we heard that the
Israelites had started on their jour-
ney. They were a mighty multi
tude who bore with them the coffin
and the mummy OF their prophet, a
man of their blood, Vizier, it is re-
ported, to that Pharaoh who well
coined them to Egypt hundreds OF
years before. Some said they went
this way and some that, but Baken-
khonsu, who knew everything, de-
clared that they were heading for
the Lake Of Crocodfies, which 9TH
ers name Sea Of Reeds, whereby
they would Cross into the desert
beyond, and then to Syria. / asked
him how, seeing that at its narrow
est part this lake was six thousand
PAGES in width, and that the depth
of its mud was unfathomable. He
replied that he did not know, but
that / might do well to inquire OF
the lady Merapi.
$50 you have changed your MIND
and also think her witch?' l said,
to which he answered:
zone must breathe the wind that
blows, and Egypt is so full Of witch
craft that it is difficult to say. Also,
it was she and no other who de-
stroyed the ancient statue Of Anon.
Oh! yes, witch or no witch, it might
be well to ask her how her people
purpose to cross the Sea Of Reeds,
especially If Pharaoh's chariots
chance to be behind them"
So l did ask her, but she an
swered that she knew nothing OF
the matter, and wished to know
nothing, seeing that she had sep
arated from her people and re-
manned in Egypt.
Then XII came, know not
whence, and having made his peace
with Seti as to the dressing OF
Merapi in the robes Of Isis, which,
he vowed, was done by the priests
against his wish, told us that Pha-
raoh and a great host had started
to pursue the Israelites.
It was on the following night,
very late, while the Prince, XII,
Bakenkhonsu and 1, Ana, sat talk
ing, that suddenly the lady Merapi
broke in upon us as she had risen
from her bed, wild-eyed, and with
her hair flowing down her robes.
81 have dreamed a dream!" she
cried. 81 dreamed that l saw all
the thousands of my people follow
ing after a fame that burned from
earth to heaven. They came to
the edge Of a great water, and be-
hind them rushed Pharaoh and all
the hosts of the Egyptians. Then
my people ran on to the face Of the
water; and it bore them as though
it were sound land. Now the SOL
diers of Pharaoh were following,
but the gods of Egypt appeared
Anon, Osiris, Horus, Isis, Hathor
and the rest-and would have
turned them back. Still they re-
fused to listen, and dragging the
gods with them rushed out upon
the water. Then darkness fell, and
in the darkness sounds Of wailing
and Of mighty laughter. It passed,
the moon rose, shining upon empti-
ness. l awoke, trembling in my
limbs. Interpret me this dream If
you can, o ri, Master Of Magic"
Where is the need, lady" he
answered, awaking as though from
sleep, when the dreamer is also
the seer? Shall the pupil venture
to instruct the teacher, or the
novice to make plain the mysteries
to the high priestess of the temple?
Nay, lady, and all the magicians
Of Egypt are beneath your feet"
why will you ever mock me?"
she said, and as she spoke she
Shivered.
Then Bakenkhonsu opened his
lips, saying:
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