he
comfortless stone chamber had prevented their closing an eye during
the night, and they had spent the hours in talking over the terrible
loss Mysa had sustained, and the journey that lay before them.

Half an hour later Chigron went out again and was soon joined by
Jethro, who had now resumed his attire as a citizen of middle class.
It was necessary that Chigron should accompany him and take the chief
part in making the arrangements; for although Jethro had learned, in
his two years' captivity, to speak Egyptian fluently, he could not
well pass as a native. Chigron therefore did most of the bargaining,
Jethro keeping somewhat in the background.

They first took their course down to the river bank. Here innumerable
craft lay moored; for the Nile was the highway of Egypt, and except
for short journeys all traffic was carried on on its waters. As soon
as it was known that they were looking for a boat they were surrounded
by the owners of the various craft, each praising the speed, safety,
and comfort of his boat. Chigron, however, was some time before he
made his choice; then he fixed upon a boat that seemed well suited for
the purpose. She carried a mast and large sail to take advantage of
favorable winds. She was light and of very small draught, and, being
constructed entirely for passenger traffic, she had a large
cabin--divided into two parts for the accommodation of ladies--the
crew, consisting of the captain and four men, sleeping on the deck.

"I think your boat will do very well," he said to the captain,
"provided we can come to terms. My friend is going up with his family
as far as Syene at any rate, and possibly on to Ibsciak; his business
may take him even further. What will be your terms a week?"

"I suppose my lord will provide food for the crew as well as for his
own family?"

"That will be the best way," Jethro said.

"Then will he pay for extra hands where the current runs so strong
that the crew cannot tow the boat unaided against it?"

Jethro assented.

"And will he return with it, or remain for awhile at the end of his
journey?"

"It is probable that his business may detain him there for a
considerable time," Chigron replied. "He has relations there with whom
he will wish to make a stay. But this should make no difference; you
will have no difficulty in obtaining passengers or freight for your
journey down."

It was a long time before a bargain was struck, for Chigron knew that
the boatm