gateway. The
driver leaped down and closed the gates, and then led the horses to
the steps leading up to a splendid mansion. The man beside him called
out, and two or three slaves ran down the steps. Then he was lifted
out, carried into the house, and laid upon a couch. A cup of wine was
placed to his lips, and after he had drunk a slave bathed his head
with cold water, and bandaged up the numerous cuts from which blood
was flowing.

This greatly refreshed him, and he raised himself on his arm. An order
was given, and the slaves left the apartment, and Amuba looking up saw
a tall and stately figure standing before him. He recognized him at
once, for he had seen him following the king in one of the processions
among the princes of Egypt.

"Who are you? and is it true what those men whom I found maltreating
you averred, that you are the slayer of the Cat of Bubastes?"

"My name is Amuba, my lord," the lad said, striving to stand upright,
but his questioner signed to him to remain seated. "I am a Rebu taken
prisoner of war, and handed as a slave to Ameres, high priest of
Osiris. I am not the slayer of the cat, but it is true that I was
present at its death, and that it might just as well have been my
arrow that accidentally pierced it as that of him who did so."

"Then it was an accident?" the noble said.

"It was wholly an accident, my lord. We fired at a hawk that had been
thinning the pet birds of my master's daughter. One of the arrows
struck a tree, and glancing off entered the house in which the cat was
kept and unfortunately caused its death. We regretted the accident
bitterly, knowing how sacred was the animal in the sight of the
Egyptians."

"And not in your sight, young man? You are not yet a follower of the
gods of the Egyptians?"

"I am not, my lord," Amuba answered; "but at the same time I would not
upon any account have willfully done aught to offend the religious
opinions of others, although I myself have not been taught to consider
the life of a cat as of more value than that of other animals."

"Then you worship the gods of your own people?"

Amuba was silent for a moment.

"I would answer frankly, my lord, and I hope that you will not be
displeased. Since I have come to Egypt I have come to think that
neither the gods of the Egyptians nor the gods my fathers worshiped
are the true gods. I believe that there is one great God over all, and
that the others are but as it were his attributes, whic