River traffic was carried on far below the flood-tide wharf. Here the
long landings of solid masonry, covered with deep water four months of
the year, were lined with vessels. Between yard-arms hanging aslant
and over decks, glimpses of the Nile might be caught. It rippled
passively between its banks, for it was yet seven months before the
first showing of the June rise. Here were the frail papyrus bari,
constructed like a raft and no more concave than a long bow; the huge
cedar-masted cangias, flat-bottomed and slow-moving; the ancient dhow
with its shapeless tent-cabin aft; the ponderous cattle barges and
freight vessels built of rough-hewn logs; the light passenger skiffs;
and lastly, the sumptuous pleasure-boats. These were elaborate and
beautiful, painted and paneled, ornamented with garlands and sheaves of
carved lotus, and spread with sails, checkered and embroidered in many
colors. From these emerged processions of parties returning from
pleasure trips up the Nile. They came with much pomp and following,
asserting themselves and proceeding through paths made ready for them
by the obsequious laboring classes.

Presently there approached a corps of servants, bearing bundles of
throw-sticks, nets, two or three fox-headed cats, bows and arrows,
strings of fish and hampers of fowl. Behind, on the shoulders of four
stalwart bearers, came a litter, fluttering with gay-colored hangings.
Beside it walked an Egyptian of high class. Suddenly the bearers
halted, and a little hand, imperious and literally aflame with jewels,
beckoned Kenkenes from the shady interior of the litter.

He obeyed promptly. At another command the litter was lowered till the
poles were supported in the hands of the bearers. The curtains were
withdrawn, revealing the occupant--a woman.

This, to the glory of Egypt! Woman was defended, revered, exalted
above her sisters of any contemporary nation. No haremic seclusion for
her; no semi-contemptuous toleration of her; no austere limits laid
upon her uses. She bared her face to the thronging streets; she
reveled beside her brother; she worshiped with him; she admitted no
subserviency to her lord beyond the pretty deference that it pleased
her to pay; she governed his household and his children; she learned,
she wrote, she wore the crown. She might have a successor but no
supplanter; an Egyptian of the dynasties before the Persian dominance
could have but one wife at a time; none but