to enter the barks alone, and then
they were magic and self-directed, having neither oars, nor sails, nor
helm.[**]

* In the formulae of the _Book of Knowing that which is in
Hades_, the dead sun remains in the bark Saktit during part
of the night, and it is only to traverse the fourth and
fifth hours that he changes into another.

** Such is the bark of the sun in the other world. Although
carrying a complete crew of gods, yet for the most part it
progresses at its own will, and without their help. The bark
containing the sun alone is represented in many vignettes of
the _Book of the Dead_, and at the head of many stelae.

Sometimes they were equipped with a full crew, like that of an Egyptian
boat--a pilot at the prow to take soundings in the channel and forecast
the wind, a pilot astern to steer, a quartermaster in the midst to
transmit the orders of the pilot at the prow to the pilot at the stern,
and half a dozen sailors to handle poles or oars. Peacefully the bark
glided along the celestial river amid the acclamations of the gods who
dwelt upon its shores. But, occasionally, Apopi, a gigantic serpent,
like that which hides within the earthly Nile and devours its banks,
came forth from the depth of the waters and arose in the path of the
god.[*] As soon as they caught sight of it in the distance, the crew
flew to arms, and entered upon the struggle against him with prayers
and spear-thrusts. Men in their cities saw the sun faint and fail,
and sought to succour him in his distress; they cried aloud, they were
beside themselves with excitement, beating their breasts, sounding their
instruments of music, and striking with all their strength upon every
metal vase or utensil in their possession, that their clamour might rise
to heaven and terrify the monster. After a time of anguish, Ra emerged
from the darkness and again went on his way, while Apopi sank back into
the abyss,[**] paralysed by the magic of the gods, and pierced with many
a wound.

* In Upper Egypt there is a widespread belief in the
existence of a monstrous serpent, who dwells at the bottom
of the river, and is the genius of the Nile. It is he who
brings about those falls of earth (_batabit_) at the decline
of the inundation which often destroy the banks and eat
whole fields. At such times, offerings of durrah, fowls, and
dates are made to him, that his hunger may b