s conductor found that he could go no further, and
that he was wholly unable to answer his questions as to whither he
wished to be guided. He determined to stop with him until he should be
able to proceed again. He therefore led Amuba aside into an orchard,
and there laid him down under the shelter of a tree, covering him with
one of his own garments.

"It is well for the lad that my lord arrived just when he did," he
said to himself as he sat down by the side of Amuba and listened to
his heavy breathing--for all in the house had heard from the
charioteer of the rescue of the lad from the hands of furious
peasants.

"He must have been very near death when he was saved from their hands.
Maxis said that his assailants shouted out that he was the slayer of
the Cat of Bubastes about which such a turmoil has been made. Had it
been so I do not think that my lord would have aided him thus to
escape; though for my part I care not if he had killed all the cats in
Egypt, seeing that in my native Libya we worship not the gods of the
Egyptians."

Several times during the night the old man got up and plucked large
handfuls of grass wet with dew and placed them on Amuba's head, and
when he perceived the first faint gleam of morning in the sky he
aroused him. Amuba sat up and looked round with an air of
astonishment.

"Where am I?" he exclaimed.

"You are at present in an orchard, my young friend, though to whom it
may belong I know not; but finding that you were unable to continue
your journey I drew you aside here, and you have slept well all night,
and I hope feel better for it and able to proceed."

"I remember now," Amuba said; "it seemed to me that I walked for hours
leaning on your arm."

"It was but an hour," the slave replied; "we are not yet two miles
from my lord's house."

"And you have watched over me all night," Amuba said; "for it was, I
know, but an hour after sunset when we started. Truly I am deeply
indebted to you for your kindness."

"Speak not of it," the old man replied. "My lord gave you into my
charge, and I cannot return until I can tell him that you are in
safety. But if you are able to walk we must pass on, for there may be
a search for you as soon as it is light."

"I am perfectly able to go on," Amuba said; "thanks to the wet grass I
see you have been piling round my head, the heat seems to have passed
away and the throbbing to have ceased."

Amuba was indeed now able to walk at a brisk pac