CHAPTER VII.
HIPPOPOTAMUS AND CROCODILE.
Guided by Rabah the party now descended to the edge of the swamp. Herein the shallow water lay three boats, or rather rafts, constructed ofbundles of bulrushes. They were turned up in front so as to form asort of swan-necked bow, and in outline were exactly similar to theiron of modern skates. Upon each stood a native with a pole forpushing the rafts along, and three or four spears. These were ofunusual shape, and the lads examined them with curiosity. They hadbroad short blades, and these were loosely attached to the shafts, sothat when the animal was struck the shaft would drop out, leaving thehead imbedded in its flesh. To the head was attached a cord which waswound up on a spindle passing through a handle.
"Those rafts do not look as if they would carry three," Chebron said.
"They will do so at a push," the man replied; "but they are betterwith two only."
"I will stop onshore, with your permission, Chebron," Jethro said. "Isee there are a number of men here with ropes. I suppose they havesomething to do with the business, and I will accompany them."
"The ropes are for hauling the beasts ashore after we have struckthem."
"Well, I will go and help pull them. I can do my share at that, andshould be of no use on one of those little rafts; indeed, I thinkthat my weight would bury it under the water."
"We have been out this morning, my lord," the boatman said, addressingChebron, "and have found out that there is a river-horse lying in apool a mile up the river. I think he is a large one and will give usgood sport."
Chebron and Amuba now took their places on the two rafts; and the men,laying down the spears and taking the poles, pushed off from theshore. Noiselessly they made their way among the rushes. Sometimes thechannels were so narrow that the reeds almost brushed the rafts onboth sides; then they opened out into wide pools, and here the waterdeepened so much that the poles could scarce touch the bottom. Not aword was spoken, as the men had warned them that the slightest noisewould scare the hippopotami and cause them to sink to the bottom ofthe pools, where they would be difficult to capture. After half anhour's poling they reached a pool larger than any that they hadhitherto passed, and extending on one side almost to the bank of theriver.
The man on his raft now signed to Chebron to take up one of thespears; but the lad shook his head and motioned to him to undertakethe attack, for he felt that, ignorant as he was of the habits of theanimal, it would be folly for him to engage in such an adventure. Theman nodded, for he had indeed been doubting as to the course which theaffair would take, for it needed a thrust with a very powerful arm todrive the spear through the thick hide of the hippopotamus. Amubaimitated Chebron's example, preferring to be a spectator instead of anactor in this unknown sport.
For three or four minutes the boats lay motionless, then a blowingsound was heard, and the boatman pointed to what seemed to the boystwo lumps of black mud projecting an inch or two above the water nearthe margin of the rushes. They could not have believed that theseformed part of an animal but that slight ripples widening out on theglassy water showed that there had been a movement at the spotindicated. With a noiseless push Chebron's hunter sent the boat inthat direction, and then handed the end of the pole to Chebron,signing to him to push the boat back when he gave the signal.
When within ten yards of the two little black patches there was asudden movement; they widened into an enormous head, and a huge beastrose to his feet, startled at the discovery he had just made that menwere close at hand. In an instant the hunter hurled his spear with allhis force. Tough as was the animal's hide, the sharp head cut its waythrough. With a roar the beast plunged into the rushes, the shaft ofthe spear falling out of its socket as it did so, and the strong cordran out rapidly from the reel held by the hunter. Presently the strainceased. "He has laid down again in shelter," the hunter said; "we willnow follow him and give him a second spear."
Pushing the rushes aside the boat was forced along until they againcaught sight of the hippopotamus, that was standing up to its belly inwater.
"Is he going to charge?" Chebron asked, grasping a spear.
"No, there is little chance of that. Should he do so and upset theboat, throw yourself among the rushes and lie there with only yourface above water. I will divert his attention and come back and getyou into the boat when he has made off."
Another spear was thrown with good effect. There was a roar and agreat splash. Chebron thought that the animal was upon them; but heturned off and dashed back to the pool where he had been first lying.
"I thought that was what he would do," the hunter said. "They alwaysseek shelter in the bottom of the deep pools; and here, you see, thewater is not deep enough to cover him."
The boat again followed the hippopotamus. Amuba was still on his rafton the pool.
"What has become of him?" Chebron asked as they passed beyond therushes.
"He has sunk to the bottom of the pool," Amuba replied. "He gave me astart, I can tell you. We heard him bursting through the rushes, andthen he rushed out with his mouth open--a mouth like a cavern; andthen, just as I thought he was going to charge us, he turned off andsank to the bottom of the pool."
"How long will he lie there?" Chebron asked the hunter.
"A long time if he is left to himself, but we are going to stir himup."
So saying he directed the boat toward the rushes nearest to the bankand pushed the boat through them.
"Oh, here you are, Jethro!" Chebron said, seeing the Rebu and the menhe had accompanied standing on the bank.
"What has happened, Chebron--have you killed one of them? We heard asort of roar and a great splashing."
"We have not killed him, but there are two spear-heads sticking intohim."
The hunter handed the cords to the men and told them to pull steadily,but not hard enough to break the cords. Then he took from them the endof the rope they carried and poled back into the pool.
"Those cords are not strong enough to pull the great beast to theshore, are they?" Chebron asked.
"Oh, no, they would not move him; but by pulling on them it causes thespear-heads to give him pain, he gets uneasy, and rises to the surfacein anger. Then, you see, I throw this noose over his head, and theycan pull upon that."
In two or three minutes the animal's head appeared above the water.The instant it did so the hunter threw the noose. The aim was correct,and with a jerk he tightened it round the neck.
"Now pull!" he shouted.
The peasants pulled, and gradually the hippopotamus was drawn towardthe bank, although struggling to swim in the opposite direction.
As soon, however, as he reached the shallow water and his feet touchedthe ground he threw his whole weight upon the rope. The peasants werethrown to the ground and the rope dragged through their fingers asthe hippopotamus again made his way to the bottom of the pool. Thepeasants regained their feet and pulled on the rope and cords. Againthe hippopotamus rose and was dragged to the shallow, only to breakaway again. For eight or ten times this happened.
"He is getting tired now," the hunter said. "Next time or the timeafter they will get him on shore. We will land then and attack himwith spears and arrows."
The hippopotamus was indeed exhausted, and allowed itself to bedragged ashore at the next effort without opposition. As soon as itdid so he was attacked with spears by the hunters, Jethro, and theboys. The latter found that they were unable to drive their weaponsthrough the thick skin, and betook themselves to their bows andarrows. The hunters, however, knew the points at which the skin wasthinnest, and drove their spears deep into the animal just behind thefore leg, while the boys shot their arrows at its mouth. Another noosehad been thrown over its head as it issued from the water, and thepeasants pulling on the ropes prevented it from charging. Three orfour more thrusts were given from the hunters; then one of the spearstouched a vital part--the hippopotamus sank on its knees and rolledover dead.
The peasants sent up a shout of joy, for the flesh of the hippo
potamusis by no means bad eating, and here was a store of food sufficient forthe whole neighborhood.
"Shall we search for another, my lord?" the hunter asked Chebron.
"No. I think I have had enough of this. There is no fun in killing ananimal that has not spirit to defend itself. What do you think,Amuba?"
"I quite agree with you, Chebron. One might almost as well slaughter acow. What is that?" he exclaimed suddenly as a loud scream was heardat a short distance away. "It is a woman's voice."
Chebron darted off in full speed in the direction of the sound,closely followed by Amuba and Jethro. They ran about a hundred yardsalong the bank, when they saw the cause of the outcry. An immensecrocodile was making his way toward the river, dragging along with itthe figure of a woman.
In spite of his reverence for the crocodile Chebron did not hesitate amoment, but rushing forward smote the crocodile on the nose with allhis strength with the shaft of his spear. The crocodile dropped itsvictim and turned upon its assailant, but Jethro and Amuba were closebehind, and these also attacked him. The crocodile seeing thisaccession of enemies now set out for the river, snapping its jawstogether.
"Mind its tail!" one of the hunters exclaimed, running up.
But the warning was too late, for the next moment Amuba received atremendous blow which sent him to the ground. The hunter at the samemoment plunged his spear into the animal through the soft skin at theback of its leg. Jethro followed his example on the other side. Theanimal checked its flight, and turning round and round lashed with itstail in all directions.
"Keep clear of it!" the hunter shouted. "It is mortally wounded andwill need no more blows."
In fact, the crocodile had received its death-wound. Its movementsbecame more languid, it ceased to lash its tail, though it stillsnapped at those nearest to it, but gradually this action also ceased,its head sank, and it was dead. Jethro as soon as he had delivered hisblow ran to Amuba.
"Are you hurt?" he asked anxiously.
"No, I don't think so," Amuba gasped. "The brute has knocked all thebreath out of my body; but that's better than if he had hit me in theleg, for I think he would have broken it had he done so. How is thewoman--is she dead?"
"I have not had time to see," Jethro replied. "Let me help you to yourfeet, and let us see if any of your ribs are broken. I will see abouther afterward."
Amuba on getting up declared that he did not think he was seriouslyhurt, although unable for the time to stand upright.
"I expect I am only bruised, Jethro. It was certainly a tremendouswhack he gave me, and I expect I shall not be able to take part in anysporting for the next few days. The crocodile was worth a dozenhippopotami. There was some courage about him."
They now walked across to Chebron, who was stooping over the figure ofthe crocodile's victim.
"Why, she is but a girl!" Amuba exclaimed. "She is no older than yoursister, Chebron."
"Do you think she is dead?" Chebron asked in hushed tones.
"I think she has only fainted," Jethro replied. "Here," he shouted toone of the peasants who were gathered round the crocodile, "one of yourun down to the water and bring up a gourdful."
"I don't think she is dead," Amuba said. "It seemed to me that thecrocodile had seized her by the leg."
"We must carry her somewhere," Jethro said, "and get some woman toattend to her. I will see if there is a hut near." He sprang up to thetop of some rising ground and looked round. "There is a cottage closeat hand," he said as he returned. "I dare say she belongs there."
Bidding two of the peasants run to fetch some women, he lifted up theslight figure and carried her up the slope, the two lads following. Onturning round the foot of a sandhill they saw a cottage lying nestledbehind it. It was neater and better kept than the majority of the hutsof the peasants. The walls of baked clay had been whitewashed and werehalf-covered with bright flowers. A patch of carefully cultivatedground lay around it. Jethro entered the cottage. On a settle at thefurther end a man was sitting. He was apparently of great age; hishair and long beard were snowy white.
"What is it?" he exclaimed as Jethro entered. "Has the God of ourfathers again smitten me in my old age, and taken from me my pet lamb?I heard her cry, but my limbs have lost their power, and I could notrise to come to her aid."
"I trust that the child is not severely injured," Jethro said. "We hadjust killed a hippopotamus when we heard her scream, and running upfound a great crocodile dragging her to the river, but we soon madehim drop her. I trust that she is not severely hurt. The beast seemedto us to have seized her by the leg. We have sent to fetch some women.Doubtless they will be here immediately. Ah! here's the water."
He laid the girl down upon a couch in the corner of the room, andtaking the gourd from the peasant who brought it sprinkled some wateron her face, while Amuba, by his direction, rubbed her hands. It wassome minutes before she opened her eyes, and just as she did so twowomen entered the hut. Leaving the girl to their care, Jethro and theboys left the cottage.
"I trust that the little maid is not greatly hurt," Amuba said. "Byher dress it seems to me that she is an Israelite, though I thought wehad left their land behind us on the other side of the desert. Stillher dress resembles those of the women we saw in the village as wepassed, and it is well for her it does so, for they wear more andthicker garments than the Egyptian peasant women, and the brute'steeth may not have torn her severely."
In a few minutes one of the women came out and told them that the maidhad now recovered and that she was almost unhurt. "The crocodile seemsto have seized her by her garments rather than her flesh, and althoughthe teeth have bruised her, the skin is unbroken. Her grandfatherwould fain thank you for the service you have rendered him."
They re-entered the cottage. The girl was sitting on the ground at hergrandfather's feet holding one of his hands in hers, while with hisother he was stroking her head. As they entered, the women, seeingthat their services were no longer required, left the cottage.
"Who are those to whom I owe the life of my grandchild?" the old manasked.
"I am Chebron, the son of Ameres, the high priest of the temple ofOsiris at Thebes. These are my friends, Amuba and Jethro, two of theRebu nation who were brought to Egypt and now live in my father'shousehold."
"We are his servants," Amuba said, "though he is good enough to callus his friends."
"'Tis strange," the old man said, "that the son of a priest of Osirisshould thus come to gladden the last few hours of one who has alwayswithstood the Egyptian gods. And yet had the crocodile carried off myRuth, it might have been better for her, seeing that ere the sun hasrisen and set many times she will be alone in the world."
The girl uttered a little cry, and rising on her knees threw her armsround the old man's neck.
"It must be so, my Ruth. I have lived a hundred and ten years in thisland of the heathen, and my course is run; and were it not for yoursake I should be glad that it is so, for my life has been sorrow andbitterness. I call her my grandchild, but she is in truth the daughterof my grandchild, and all who stood between her and me have passedaway before me and left us alone together. But she trusts in the Godof Abraham, and he will raise up a protector for her."
Chebron, who had learned something of the traditions of the Israelitesdwelling in Egypt, saw by the old man's words that Jethro's surmiseswere correct and that he belonged to that race.
"You are an Israelite," he said gently. "How is it that you are notdwelling among your people instead of alone among strangers?"
"I left them thirty years back when Ruth's mother was but a totteringchild. They would not suffer me to dwell in peace among them, butdrove me out because I testified against them."
"Because you testified against them?" Chebron repeated in surprise.
"Yes. My father was already an old man when I was born, and he was oneof the few who still clung to the faith of our fathers. He taught methat there was but one God, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and ofJacob, and that all other gods were but i
mages of wood and stone. Tothat faith I clung, though after awhile I alone of all our people heldto the belief. The others had forgotten their God and worshiped thegods of the Egyptians. When I would speak to them they treated mywords as ravings and as casting dishonor on the gods they served.
"My sons went with the rest, but my daughter learned the true faithfrom my lips and clung to it. She taught her daughter after her, andten years ago, when she too lay dying, she sent Ruth by a messenger tome, praying me to bring her up in the faith of our fathers, and sayingthat though she knew I was of a great age, she doubted not that whenmy time came God would raise up protectors for the child. So for tenyears we have dwelt here together, tilling and watering our ground andliving on its fruit and by the sale of baskets that we weave andexchange for fish with our neighbors. The child worships the God ofour fathers, and has grown and thriven here for ten years; but myheart is heavy at the thought that my hours are numbered and that Isee no way after me but that Ruth shall return to our people, who willassuredly in time wean her from her faith."
"Never, grandfather," the girl said firmly. "They may beat me andpersecute me, but I will never deny my God."
"They are hard people the Israelites," the old man said, shaking hishead, "and they are stubborn and must needs prevail against one sotender. However, all matters are in the hands of God, who will againreveal himself in his due time to his people who have forgotten him."
Amuba, looking at the girl, thought that she had more power ofresistance than the old man gave her credit for. Her face was of thesame style of beauty as that of some of the young women he had seen inthe villages of the Israelites, but of a higher and finer type. Herface was almost oval, with soft black hair, and delicately markedeyebrows running almost in a straight line below her forehead. Hereyes were large and soft, with long lashes veiling them, but there wasa firmness about the lips and chin that spoke of a determined will,and gave strength to her declaration "Never."
There was silence a moment, and then Chebron said almost timidly:
"My father, although high priest of Osiris, is not a bigot in hisreligion. He is wise and learned, and views all things temperately, asmy friends here can tell you. He knows of your religion; for I haveheard him say that when they first came into this land the Israelitesworshiped one God only. I have a sister who is of about the same ageas Ruth, and is gentle and kind. I am sure that if I ask my father hewill take your grandchild into his household to be a friend andcompanion to Mysa, and I am certain that he would never try to shakeher religion, but would let her worship as she chooses."
The old man looked fixedly at Chebron.
"Your speech is pleasant and kind, young sir, and your voice has anhonest ring. A few years back I would have said that I would ratherthe maiden were dead than a handmaid in the house of an Egyptian; butas death approaches we see things differently, and it may be that shewould be better there than among those who once having known the trueGod have forgotten him and taken to the worship of idols. I havealways prayed and believed that God would raise up protectors forRuth, and it seems to me now that the way you have been brought hitherin these latter days of my life is the answer to my prayer. Ruth, mychild, you have heard the offer, and it is for you to decide. Will yougo with this young Egyptian lord and serve his sister as a handmaiden,or will you return to the villages of our people?"
Ruth had risen to her feet now, and was looking earnestly at Chebron,then her eyes turned to the faces of Amuba and Jethro, and then slowlywent back again to Chebron.
"I believe that God has chosen for me," she said at last, "and hassent them here not only to save my life, but to be protectors to me;their faces are all honest and good. If the father of this youth willreceive me, I will, when you leave me, go and be the handmaid of hisdaughter."
"It is well," the old man said. "Now I am ready to depart, for myprayers have been heard. May God deal with you and yours, Egyptian,even as you deal with my child."
"May it be so," Chebron replied reverently.
"I can tell you," Jethro said to the old man, "that in no household inEgypt could your daughter be happier than in that of Ameres. He is thelord and master of Amuba and myself, and yet, as you see, his sontreats us not as servants, but as friends. Ameres is one of thekindest of men; and as to his daughter Mysa, whose special attendant Iam, I would lay down my life to shield her from harm. Your grandchildcould not be in better hands. As to her religion, although Ameres hasoften questioned Amuba and myself respecting the gods of our people,he has never once shown the slightest desire that we should abandonthem for those of Egypt."
"And now," Chebron said, "we will leave you; for doubtless theexcitement has wearied you, and Ruth needs rest and quiet after herfright. We are encamped a mile away near the lake, and will come andsee you to-morrow."
Not a word was spoken for some time after they left the house, andthen Chebron said:
"It really would almost seem as if what that old man said was true,and that his God had sent us there that a protector might be found forhis daughter. It was certainly strange that we should happen to bewithin sound of her voice when she was seized by that crocodile, andbe able to rescue her just in time. It needed, you see, first, that weshould be there, then that the crocodile should seize her at thatmoment, and, lastly, that we should be just in time to save her beingdragged into the river. A crocodile might have carried her away tenthousand times without any one being within reach to save her and thechances were enormously against any one who did save her being in aposition to offer her a suitable home at her grandfather's death."
"It is certainly strange. You do not think that your father will haveany objection to take her?" Amuba asked.
"Oh, no; he may say that he does not want any more servants in thehouse, but I am sure that when he sees her he will be pleased to havesuch a companion for Mysa. If it was my mother I do not know. Mostlikely she would say no; but when she hears that it has all beensettled, she will not trouble one way or the other about it. I willwrite my father a letter telling him all about it, and send off one ofthe slaves with it at once. He can get back to-morrow, and it willgladden the old man's heart to know that it is all arranged. I wish totell my father, too, of my trouble."
"What trouble?" Amuba asked in surprise. "You have told me nothingabout anything troubling you."
"Do you not understand, Amuba? I am in trouble because I struck thecrocodile; it is an impious action, and yet what could I do?"
Amuba repressed an inclination to smile.
"You could do nothing else, Chebron, for there was no time to mincematters. He was going too fast for you to explain to him that he wasdoing wrong in carrying off a girl, and you therefore took the onlymeans in your power of stopping him; besides, the blow you dealt himdid him no injury whatever. It was Jethro and the hunter who killedhim."
"But had I not delayed his flight they could not have done so."
"That is true enough, Chebron; but in that case he would have reachedthe water with his burden and devoured her at his leisure. Unless youthink that his life is of much more importance than hers, I cannot seethat you have anything to reproach yourself with."
"You do not understand me, Amuba," Chebron said pettishly. "Of courseI do not think that the life of an ordinary animal is of as muchimportance as that of a human being; but the crocodiles are sacred,and misfortune falls upon those who injure them."
"Then in that case, Chebron, misfortune must fall very heavily on theinhabitants of those districts where the crocodile is killed whereverhe is found. I have not heard that pestilence and famine visit thoseparts of Egypt with more frequency than they do the districts wherethe crocodile is venerated."
Chebron made no answer. What Amuba said was doubtless true; but uponthe other hand, he had always been taught that the crocodile wassacred, and if so he could not account for the impunity with whichthese creatures were destroyed in other parts of Egypt. It was anotherof the puzzles that he so constantly met with. After a long pause hereplied:
&n
bsp; "It may seem to be as you say; but you see, Amuba, there are somegods specially worshiped in one district, others in another. In thedistrict that a god specially protects he would naturally be indignantwere the animals sacred to him to be slain, while he might pay no heedto the doings in those parts in which he is little concerned."
"In that case, Chebron, you can clearly set your mind at rest. Let usallow that it is wrong to kill a crocodile in the district in which heis sacred and where a god is concerned about his welfare, but that noevil consequences can follow the slaying of him in districts in whichhe is not sacred, and where his god, as you say, feels little interestin him."
"I hope that is so, Amuba; and that as the crocodile is not a sacredanimal here no harm may come from my striking one, though I would givemuch that I had not been obliged to do so. I hope that my father willregard the matter in the same light."
"I have no doubt that he will do so, Chebron, especially as we agreedthat you did no real harm to the beast."
"Is it not strange, Jethro," Amuba said when Chebron had gone into thetent, "that wise and learned people like the Egyptians should be sosilly regarding animals?"
"It is strange, Amuba, and it was hard to keep from laughing to hearyou so gravely arguing the question with Chebron. If all the peopleheld the same belief I should not be surprised; but as almost everyanimal worshiped in one of the districts is hated and slain inanother, and that without any evil consequences arising, one wouldhave thought that they could not but see for themselves the folly oftheir belief. What are we going to do to-morrow?"
"I do not think that it is settled; we have had one day at each of thesports. Rabah said that to-morrow we could either go out and see newmodes of fishing, or accompany the fowlers and watch them catchingbirds in the clap nets, or go out into the desert and hunt ibex.Chebron did not decide, but I suppose when he has finished his letterwe shall hear what he intends to do."
After Chebron had finished his letter, which was a long one, he calledRabah and asked him to dispatch it at once by the fleetest-footed ofthe slaves.
"He will get there," he said, "before my father retires to rest. If hedoes not reply at once, he will probably answer in the morning, and atany rate the man ought to be back before midday."
At dinner Amuba asked Chebron whether he had decided what they shoulddo the next day.
"We might go and look at the men with the clap nets," Chebronanswered. "They have several sorts in use, and take numbers of pigeonsand other birds. I think that will be enough for to-morrow. We havehad four days' hard work, and a quiet day will be pleasant, and if wefind the time goes slowly, we can take a boat across the lake and lookat the Great Sea beyond the sandhills that divide the lake from it;beside, I hope we shall get my father's answer, and I should like somefurther talk with that old Israelite. It is interesting to learn aboutthe religion that his forefathers believed in, and in which it seemsthat he and his grandchild are now the last who have faith."
"It will suit me very well to have a quiet day, Chebron; for in anycase I do not think I could have accompanied you. My ribs are sorefrom the whack the crocodile gave me with his tail, and I doubtwhether I shall be able to walk to-morrow."
Indeed, the next morning Amuba was so stiff and sore that he wasunable to rise from his couch.
Soon after breakfast the messenger returned, bringing a letter fromAmeres. It was as follows:
"It seems to me, Chebron, that Mysa has no occasion for further attendants; but as your story of this old Israelite and his daughter interests me, and the girl is of Mysa's age and might be a pleasant companion for her, I have no objection to her entering our household. I should have liked to talk with the old man himself, and to have heard from him more about the religion that Joseph and his people brought to Egypt. It is recorded in some of the scrolls that these people were monotheists; but although I have many times questioned Israelites, all have professed to be acquainted with no religion but that of Egypt. If you have further opportunity find out as much as you can from this old man upon the subject.
"Assure him from me that his daughter shall be kindly treated in my household, and that no attempt whatever will be made to turn her from the religion she professes. As to your adventure with the crocodile, I do not think that your conscience need trouble you. It would certainly be unfortunate to meet in Upper Egypt a crocodile carrying off a peasant, and I am not called upon to give an opinion as to what would be the proper course to pursue under the circumstances; but as you are at present in a district where the crocodile, instead of being respected, is held in detestation, and as the people with you would probably have overtaken and slain him even without your intervention, I do not think that you need trouble yourself about the knock that you gave him across his snout. Had I found myself in the position you did I should probably have taken the same course. With respect to the girl, you had best give them instructions that when the old man dies she shall travel by boat to Thebes; arrived there, she will find no difficulty in learning which is my house, and on presenting herself there she will be well received. I will write at once to Mysa, telling her that you have found a little Israelite handmaiden as her special attendant, and that, should the girl arrive before my return, she is at once to assume that position.
"It would not do for her to come here were her grandfather to die before we leave for home. In the first place, she would be in the way, and in the second, her features and dress would proclaim her to be an Israelite. The people in the villages she passed through might detain her, and insist on her remaining with them; or, should she arrive here, the fact of her departing with us might be made a subject of complaint, and the Israelites would not improbably declare that I had carried off a young woman of their tribe as a slave. Therefore, in all respects it is better that she should proceed up the river to Thebes.
"As they are poor you had best leave a sum of money with them to pay for her passage by boat, and for her support during the voyage. I find that I shall have finished with the steward earlier than I had expected, and shall be starting in about three days to inspect the canals and lay out plans for some fresh ones; therefore, if by that time you have had enough sport to satisfy you, you had best journey back."
"My father has consented," Chebron said joyously as he finished theletter. "I felt sure that he would; still, I was anxious till I gotthe letter, for it would have been a great disappointment to the oldman could it not have been managed. I will go off and tell him atonce. I shall not want you this morning, Jethro; so you can eitherstay here with Amuba or do some fishing or fowling on the lake. Theboat is all in readiness, you know."
Chebron went off to the cottage. Ruth was in the garden tending thevegetables, and he stopped to speak to her before entering.
"I have not heard yet," he said, "how it came about that you wereseized by the crocodile."
"I hardly know how it was," she said. "I am in the habit of going downmany times a day to fetch up water for the garden, and I always keep alookout for these creatures before I fill my jar; but yesterday I hadjust gone round the corner of the sandhill when I was struck down witha tremendous blow, and a moment afterward the creature seized me. Igave a scream; but I thought I was lost, for there are no neighborswithin sound of the voice, and my grandfather has not been able towalk for months. Then I prayed as well as I could for the pain, andGod heard me and sent you to deliver me."
"It is not often that they go up so far from the river, is it?"
"Not often. But yesterday we had a portion of a kid from a neighborand were cooking it, and perhaps the smell attracted the crocodile;for they say that they are quick at smell, and they have been known togo into cottages and carry off meat from before the fire."
"I see you walk very lame still."
"Yes. Grandfather would have me keep still for a day
or two; but Ithink that as soon as the bruises die out and the pain ceases I shallbe as well as ever. Beside, what would the garden do without water? Mygrandfather will be glad to see you, my lord; but he is rather morefeeble than usual this morning. The excitement of yesterday has shakenhim."
She led the way into the cottage.
"Your granddaughter has told me you are not very strong to-day,"Chebron began.
"At my age," the old man said, "even a little thing upsets one, andthe affair of yesterday was no little thing. I wonder much that theagitation did not kill me."
"I have satisfactory news to give you," Chebron said. "I yesterdaydispatched a message to my father, and have just received the answer."And taking out the scroll he read aloud the portion in which Ameresstated his readiness to receive Ruth in his household, and his promisethat no pressure whatever should be put upon her to abandon herreligion.
"The Lord be praised!" the old man exclaimed. "The very animals arethe instruments of his will, and the crocodile that threatened deathto the child was, in truth, the answer sent to my prayer. I thank you,my young lord; and as you and yours deal with my child, so may the Godof my fathers deal with you. But she may stay on with me for thelittle time that remains, may she not?"
"Surely. We should not think of taking her now. My father sendsinstructions as to what she is to do, and money to pay for her journeyup the Nile to Thebes. This is what he says." And he read the portionof the scroll relating to the journey. "And now," he said, "let meread to you what my father says about your religion. He is ever asearcher after truth, and would fain that I should hear from your lipsand repeat to him all that you can tell me relating to this God whomyou worship."
"That will I with gladness, my young lord. The story is easily told,for it is simple, and not like that of your religion with its manydeities."
Chebron took a seat upon a pile of rushes and prepared to listen tothe old man's story of the God of the Israelites.