en said:

"Well, this golden ship is better than the sty of Abi the hog, nor do I
believe that we journey to no purpose. Still I wonder what that spirit
who named herself my Ka does on the throne of Egypt; also how we came on
board this boat, and whither we sail."

"Wonder not, for all these things we shall learn in due season, and for
my part, although I hate him I am sorry for Abi," answered Asti drily.

So they sat there in the pavilion watching the desert, over the sands
of which their ship seemed to move, till at length the sun grew low,
and they went to walk upon the deck. Then they returned to eat of the
delicious food that was always provided for them in such plenty, and at
nightfall sought their couches, and slept heavily, for they needed rest.

When they awoke again, it was daylight, though no sun shone through the
skies, and their vessel rolled onward across a wide and sullen sea out
of sight of land. Also the silken pavilion about them was gone, and
replaced by a cabin of massive cedar wood, though of this, being sated
with marvels, Tua and Asti took little note. Indeed, having neither of
them been on an angry ocean before, a strange dizziness overcame them,
which caused them to sleep much and think little for three whole days
and nights.

At length, one evening as the sun sank, they perceived that the violent
motion of the vessel had ceased with the roaring of the gale above,
which for all this while had driven them onward at such fearful speed.
Venturing from their cedar house, they saw that they had entered the
mouth of a great river upon the banks of which grew enormous trees that
sent out long crooked roots into the water, and that among these roots
crouched crocodiles and other noisome reptiles. Also the white-robed
oarsmen had appeared again, and, as there was no wind, rowed the ship up
the river, till at length they came to a spit of sand which jutted out
into the stream, and here cast anchor.

Now Tua's and Asti's desire for food returned to them, and they ate.
Just as they had finished their meal, and the sun was sinking suddenly,
there appeared before them two masked men, each of whom bore a basket
in his hand. Asti began to question them, but like the captain and
the steersman, they seemed to be deaf and dumb. At least they made no
answer, only prostrated themselves humbly, and pointed towards the shore
where now Tua saw a fire burning on a rock, though who had lit it she
did not know.

"