entrusted with the protection of the Mukaukas'
person.

As soon as the refreshing evening breeze came up from the river after
the heat of the day there was a stir in the great court-yard. Men, women
and girls came trooping out of the retainers' dwellings to breathe the
cooler air. Waiting-maids and slaves dipped for water into enormous
earthen vessels and carried it away in graceful jars; the free-men of
the household rested in groups after the fatigues of the day, chatting,
playing and singing. From the slaves' quarters in another court-yard
came confused sounds of singing hymns, with the shrill tones of the
double pipe and duller noise of the tabor--an invitation to dance;
scolding and laughter; the jubilant shouts of a girl led out to dance,
and the shrieks of a victim to the overseer's rod.

The servant's gateway, still hung with flowers and wreaths in honor of
Orion's recent return, was wide open for the coming and going of the
accountants and scribes, or of such citizens as came very willingly to
pay an evening call on their friends in the governor's household; for
there were always some officials near the Mukaukas' person who knew more
than other folks of the latest events in Church and State.

Ere long a considerable number of men had assembled to sit under the
deep wooden porch of the head-steward's dwelling, all taking eager part
in the conversation, which they would have found very enjoyable even
without the beer which their host offered them in honor of the great
event of his young lord's return; for what was ever dearer to Egyptians
than a brisk exchange of talk, at the same time heaping ridicule or
scorn on their unapproachable superiors in rank, and on all they deem
enemies to their creed or their country.

Many a trenchant word and many a witty jest must have been uttered this
evening, for hearty laughter and loud applause were incessant in the
head steward's porch; the captain of the guard at the gate cast envious
and impatient glances at the merry band, which he would gladly have
joined; but he could not yet leave his post. The messengers' horses were
standing saddled while their riders awaited their orders, there were
supplicants and traders to be admitted or turned away, and there were
still a number of persons lingering in the large vestibule of the
governor's palace and craving to speak with him, for it was well known
in Memphis that during the hot season the ailing Mukaukas granted
audience on