The Washington times., 1919-05-11
CHAPTER XIII. (Continued).
The Red Nile.

A path worn by the feet of men ran to
the largest of these tombs, whence, as we
drew near, we heard the sound of wailing
Looking in. saw a woman and some chill
dren crouched upon the floor of the tomb.
their heads covered with dust, who. when
they perceived us, cried more loudly than
before, though with harsh. dry voices
thinking no doubt that we we're robbers %
perhaps ghosts because of our bloodstained
garments. Also there was another child,
a little one, that did not cry. because It
was dead. / asked the woman who passed.
but even when she understood that we were
only men who meant her no harm she
could not speak or do more than gasp
Water! Water!" We gave her and the
children to drink from the jars which we
had brought with us. which they did greed
lily, after which / drew her story from her
She was the wife of fisherman who
made his home in this cave, and said that
seven days before the Nile had turned to
blood, so that they could not drink Of II,
and had no water save a little in pot Nor
could they dig to find it, since here the
ground was all rock. Nor could they es.
cape, since when he saw the marvel her
husband in his fear had leapt from his
boat and waded to land and the boat had
fioated away.
| asked where was her husband and
she pointed behind her. went to look,
and there found a man hanging by his
neck from a rope that was fixed to the
capital of a pillar in the tomb, quite dead
and cold. Returning sick at heart. in
quired Of her how this had come about
She answered that when he saw that all
the fish had perished, taking away his liv-
ing, and that thirst had killed his youngest
child. he went mad and, creeping to the
back Of the tomb, without her knowledge
hung himself with a net rope.
1t was a dreadful story
Having given the widow Of our food, we
went to sleep in another tomb, not liking
the company Of those dead ones. Next morn
ing at the dawn we took the woman and
her children on board the barge and roweG
them three hours journey to town where
she had a sister. whom she found. The
dead man and the child we left there in
the tomb, since my men would not defle
themselves bv touching them.
So. seeing much terror and misery on
our journey, at last we came safe to Mem
phis Leaving the boatmen to draw up the
barge, went to the palace. speaking with
none, and was led at once to the Prince. 7
found him in a shaded chamber seated side
by side with the lady Merapi. and holding
her hand in such a fashion that they re-
minded me of the Iife-sized Ka statues of
a man and his wife. such as I have seen
il the ancient tombs, cut when the sculp-
tors knew how to fashion the perfect like
nesses Of men and women.
This they no LONGER do to-day think
because the priests have taught them that
il is not lawful. He was talking to her in
a low voice. while she listened. smiling
sweetly as she ever did, but with eyes,
fixed straight before her that were as il
seemed TO me. filled with fear. I thought
that she looked very beautiful with her
hair outspread over her white robe, and
ii|4A DoSh llOlll LcI lSlllllSo ~ q lllIlC LllCL
~ gold. But as ! looked. rejoiced to find
that my heart no longer yearned for her
as it. had upon that night when had seen
her seated beneath the trees without the
pleasure house Now she was its friend
once more, and so she remained until all
was finished, as both the Prince and she
knew well enough.
When he saw me Seti sprang from his
seat and came to greet me. as a man does
the friend whom he loves. | kissed his
hand, and, going to Merapi, kissed hers