ar it is much deserted. About this
market-place stood great temples of the gods, with pylons and avenues
of sphinxes, also that wonder of the world, the colossal statue of the
second Rameses, while to the north upon a mound was the glorious palace
of Pharaoh. Other palaces there were also, inhabited by the nobles and
officers of the Court, and between them ran long streets where dwelt the
citizens, ending, some of them, on that branch of the Nile by which the
ancient city stood.

Seti halted to gaze at these wondrous buildings.

"They are very old," he said, "but most of them, like the walls and
those temples of Amon and Ptah, have been rebuilt in the time of my
grandfather or since his day by the labour of Israelitish slaves who
dwell yonder in the rich land of Goshen."

"They must have cost much gold," I answered.

"The Kings of Egypt do not pay their slaves," remarked the Prince
shortly.

Then we went on and mingled with the thousands of the people who were
wandering to and fro seeking rest after the business of the day. Here
on the frontier of Egypt were gathered folk of every race; Bedouins from
the desert, Syrians from beyond the Red Sea, merchants from the rich
Isle of Chittim, travellers from the coast, and traders from the land
of Punt and from the unknown countries of the north. All were talking,
laughing and making merry, save some who gathered in circles to listen
to a teller of tales or wandering musicians, or to watch women who
danced half naked for gifts.

Now and again the crowd would part to let pass the chariot of some noble
or lady before which went running footmen who shouted, "Make way, Make
way!" and laid about them with their long wands. Then came a procession
of white-robed priests of Isis travelling by moonlight as was fitting
for the servants of the Lady of the Moon, and bearing aloft the holy
image of the goddess before which all men bowed and for a little while
were silent. After this followed the corpse of some great one newly
dead, preceded by a troop of hired mourners who rent the air with their
lamentations as they conducted it to the quarter of the embalmers.
Lastly, from out of one of the side streets emerged a gang of several
hundred hook-nosed and bearded men, among whom were a few women, loosely
roped together and escorted by a company of armed guards.

"Who are these?" I asked, for I had never seen their like.

"Slaves of the people of Israel who return from their labour at