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ing heat of the noonday sun. Even Mother Nile, flowing be-
tween hard-baked banks, seemed more sluggish than usual,
with the heat-vapour pouring off her gleaming bosom and
losing water which an arid land could so ill-afford. Unlucky
fellaheen, condemned to work in the fields under the torrid
sky, moved with heavy lethargy, too hot and weary to even
curse the sweltering day. An Ibis-bird stood drooping by a
clump of wilting reeds. The new Tombs of the Great Ones
stood bright and tall, with the heat drying the freshly placed
mortar between the immense blocks and capping stones.
In the relative coolness of the Embalming Room, deep be-
neath the burning sands, a wizened old man and his scarcely
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younger assistant worked as they stuffed aromatic herbs into a
months-dead body.
I reckon the Pharaoh is taking strong measures against the
Priests, said the more ancient of the two.
Yes, replied the other with gloomy satisfaction. I saw the
Guards raiding some of the temples, arresting some, caution-
ing others, and carrying out bales of papyri. They looked very
determined, too!
I don't know what the world is coming to, said the
Ancient. Never was like this in my young days. The world is
going to POT, that's what it is, going to POT! Sighing and
mumbling, he picked up his packing rod and rammed more
herbal mixture into an orifice of the unprotesting corpse.
By Order of the Pharaoh! shouted the Captain of the
Guard as, surrounded by his men, he stalked majestically into
the quarters of the High Priest. You are accused of harboring
malcontents who plot against Him, and try to cast evil spells
that they may harm Him. Turning to his men he gave the
order, Search the place and seize all papyri.
The High Priest sighed and quietly remarked, It was ever
thus, those who aspire to higher learnings are persecuted by
ignorant men who fear to know Truth and who think that no
one can know more than they. So, in destroying our papers of
wisdom you extinguish the rush-lights of knowledge.
The day was a hard one, with soldiers on the alert, Guards
raising, and carrying off suspects most often those who had
been betrayed through a neighbor s spite. Slave-drawn carts
rumbled through the streets laden with confiscated papyri. But
the day ended, as days always have and always will, no matter
how endless they seem to suffering victims of oppression.
A cool breeze sprang up and rustled the papyrus reeds with
a dry grating sound. Small waves bounded across the dimming
Nile to rebound from the sun-baked banks. Along the lower
reaches of the river, ferrymen smiled with pleasure as their
slatting sails filled with wind and sped them upon their home-
ward path. Free from the torrid heat of the day, small creatures
emerged from holes in the banks and began their nightly
prowl in search of prey. But humans were in search of prey,
too!
The dark vault of the heavens was besprinkled with the
shining jewels which were the stars. Tonight the moon would
be late in rising. Faint glimmers of light came from mud huts,
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and scarce brighter gleams came from the homes of the
wealthy. The air was filled with terror, foreboding. No
roisterer loitered on the streets this night, no lovers clasped
hands and made promises by the broad sweep of the Nile.
Tonight the Pharaoh's men prowled the streets, heavy footed
and coarse of mien, ready for sport . The Purge was on, a
purge against the scholars, the priests, and any who might
threaten the Pharaoh by forecasting his early demise. It was
DEATH to be abroad this night, DEATH on the pikes of the
prowling guards.
But in the dark places of the city silent figures lurked and
flitted from shadow to deeper shadow as the Pharaoh's men
clumped noisily by. Gradually a pattern became apparent,
silent, determined men, using every available cover in order to
reach their destination unchallenged. As the guards patrolled
noisily, and the eternal stars wheeled overhead, dark figure
after dark figure slipped easily through an unmarked, un-
lighted door. Slipped through to be seized by those behind the
door, and held securely until identity was established. As the
last man insinuated his silent way in, and was identified, wait-
ing men placed great baulks of timber against the door to
ensure that it was firm.
An ancient, cracked voice quavered, Follow me, let each
man follow in line and place a hand on the shoulder of the man
in front. Follow me and NO NOISE! for Death stalks us to-
night.
With the merest suspicion of a shuffling sound, the line of
men followed their leader downwards through a well-con-
cealed trap-door. Down, down the slanting path, for a long
long way, and at last they emerged in an old burial vault where
the air lay dank and musty. We shall be safe here, whispered
the old leader. But let us not unduly raise our voices lest the
minions of Set hear us and carry tidings of our meeting.
Silently they filed round and placed themselves among the
funeral furniture. Squatting on their heels, they waited in ex-
pectation for their Leader's words. The old man peered short-
sightedly around the gathering, assessing, weighing. At last he
said, We have today and for many days seen our most cher-
ished possessions torn from us and burned. We have witnessed
the evil sight of uncouth men, driven on by a power-mad
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