are offered the
priceless treasures of art and learning. Now look abroad: east and west
wandering tribes roam over the desert with wretched tents; in the south a
debased populace prays to feathers, and to abject idols, who are beaten
if the worshipper is not satisfied. In the north certainly there are well
regulated states, but the best part of the arts and sciences which they
possess they owe to us, and their altars still reek with the loathsome
sacrifice of human blood. Only backsliding from the right is possible
under the stranger, and therefore it is prudent to withdraw from him;
therefore he is hateful to our Gods. And Rameses, the king, is a
stranger, by blood and by nature, in his affections, and in his
appearance; his thoughts are always abroad--this country is too small for
him--and he will never perceive what is really best for him, clear as his
intellect is. He will listen to no guidance, he does mischief to Egypt,
and therefore I say: Down with him from the throne!"

"Down with him!"--Gagabu eagerly echoed the words. Ameni gave the old man
his hand, which trembled with excitement, and went on more calmly.

"The Regent Ani is a legitimate child of the soil, by his father and
mother both. I know him well, and I am sure that though he is cunning
indeed, he is full of true veneration, and will righteously establish us
in the rights which we have inherited. The choice is easy: I have chosen,
and I always carry through what I have once begun! Now you know all, and
you will second me."

"With body and soul!" cried Gagabu.

"Strengthen the hearts of the brethren," said Ameni, preparing to go.
"The initiated may all guess what is going on, but it must never be
spoken of."

CHAPTER XXVII.

The sun was up on the twenty-ninth morning of the second month of the
over-flow of the Nile,

[The 29th Phaophi. The Egyptians divided the year into three
seasons of four months each. Flood-time, seed-time and Harvest.
(Scha, per and schemu.) The 29th Phaophi corresponds to the 8th
November.]

and citizens and their wives, old men and children, freemen and slaves,
led by priests, did homage to the rising day-star before the door of the
temple to which the quarter of the town belonged where each one dwelt.

The Thebans stood together like Huge families before the pylons, waiting
for the processions of priests, which they intended to join in order to
march in their train round the great temple of the city