desert city of
Thekut--[The biblical Suchot]--near Heroopolis, where the citizens lived
and pursued their business.

The travellers reached the place very speedily. Garlands of flowers and
hangings adorned the houses. The sacred precinct Pithom, above which
towered the magnificently restored temple of the god Turn, was also
still adorned with many superb ones, as well as lofty masts, banners,
and triumphal arches.

Before they reached it the equipage passed the sumptuous tents which had
been erected for the royal pair and their attendants. If Hermon had
not known how long the monarch intended to remain here, their size and
number would have surprised him.

A regular messenger and carrier-dove service had been established
between Alexandria and Pithom for the period of Ptolemy's relaxation;
and the sovereign was accompanied not only by several of the chief
councillors and secretaries, but artists and some of the Museum
scientists with whom he was on specially intimate terms, who were to
adorn the festival on the frontier with their presence, and cheer the
invalid King, who needed entertainment. Singers and actors also belonged
to the train.

As they passed the encampment of the troops who accompanied the
sovereign, the hipparch could show Hermon a magnificent military
spectacle.

Heroopolis was fortified, and belonged to the military colonies which
Alexander the Great had established throughout all Egypt in order to win
it over more quickly to Grecian customs. A Hellenic phalanx and Libyan
mercenaries formed the garrison there, but at Pithom the King had
gathered the flower of his troops around him, and this circumstance
showed how little serious consideration the cautious ruler, who usually
carefully regarded every detail, gave to the war with Cyrene, in which
he took no personal part. The four thousand Gauls whom he had sent
across the frontier as auxiliary troops promised to become perilous to
the foe, who was also threatened in the rear by one of the most powerful
Libyan tribes.

Therefore, the artist was assured by his military companion,
Philadelphus could let the campaign take its course, and permit himself
the brief period of rest in this strangely chosen place, which the
leeches had advised.

The house where the aged couple lived with their son, Admiral Eumedes,
was on the edge of the precincts of the temple. It belonged to the
most distinguished merchant in the place, and consisted of a large open
c