anging from
poles from their shoulders, were equally clamorous in offering them
for sale.

The shops of the fruiterers and bakers and those of the venders of the
vegetables that formed so large a portion of the diet of the Egyptians
were all crowded, and the wine shops were doing a brisk business.

Chebron and Amuba made their way through the busy scene, keeping a
sharp lookout for Jethro, for they considered it certain that owing to
the early start the boat was to make it would have arrived there some
hours before, and that he would be on the lookout for them. In a few
minutes they saw him looking into one of the shops. He started as they
went up to him and touched him, for he had not perceived them before.

"All well?" Amuba asked.

"Everything has gone off admirably. We got off without the slightest
trouble. But come on board at once; the girls are anxious about you,
although I assured them that there was not the slightest risk of your
being discovered on your way here."

So saying, Jethro led the way to the boat, which was moored by the
bank a hundred yards above the village, "in order," Jethro said, "that
they could make an early start in the morning, and be off before the
rest of the boats were under way."

"Here are your brothers," Jethro said in a loud voice as he stepped on
board. "I found them dawdling and gossiping in the street, forgetting
altogether that you were waiting for your evening meal until they came
on board."

Both entered the cabin, which was about eight feet wide and twelve
feet long, but not high enough for them to stand upright. The floor
was spread with a thick carpet; cushions and pillows were arranged
along each side, and thick matting hung from the top. In the daytime
this was rolled up and fastened, so that the air could play through
the cabin and those within could look out at the river; but at present
it closed the openings and kept out both the night air and the glances
of passers-by. At the other end was a door opening into the smaller
cabin allotted to the girls. A lamp swung from the beams overhead.
Mysa gave a cry of pleasure as they entered and was about to spring to
her feet, when Jethro exclaimed:

"Mind your head, child! You are not accustomed to these low quarters
yet."

"Thank the gods we are together again!" Mysa said as Chebron, after
embracing her, sat down on the cushion beside her. "I feel almost
happy now, in spite of the dreadful times that have passed."