ep off
the night dew--chatting merrily together and occasionally breaking
into snatches of song, it was prudent to speak so that not even a
chance word should be overheard. The boatmen, indeed, were in high
spirits. Their home lay far up near the borders of Upper Egypt, and it
was seldom indeed that they obtained a job which gave them the chance
of visiting their friends. Thus the engagement was most satisfactory
to them, for although their leader had haggled over the terms, he and
they would gladly have accepted half the rate of pay rather than let
such an opportunity slip. As Chebron finished speaking they were
preparing for the night by laying down a few mats on the boards of the
fore deck. Then they huddled closely together, pulled another mat or
two over them, extinguished the torch, and composed themselves to
sleep.

"We will follow their example; but a little more comfortably, I hope,"
Jethro said.

The cushions and pillows were arranged, the lamp turned low, and in a
short time all on board the boat were sound asleep. No ray of light
had entered the cabin when Amuba was awakened by a movement of the
boat, caused by a stir among the crew. He felt his way to the door and
threw back the hangings and looked out; there was a faint
greenish-yellow light in the east, but the stars were still shining
brightly.

"Good-morning, young master!" the captain said. "I hope you have slept
well."

"So well that I could hardly believe it was morning," Amuba replied.
"How long will it be before you are off?"

"We shall be moving in ten minutes; at present there is not light
enough to see the shore."

"Chefu, are you awake?"

"Yes," Chebron answered sleepily, "I am awake; thanks to your talking.
If you had lain quiet we might have slept for another hour yet."

"You have had plenty of sleep the last twenty-four hours," Amuba
retorted. "Take a cloth and let us land and run along the banks for a
mile, and have a bath before the boat comes along."

"It is very cold for it," Chebron said.

"Nonsense! the water will refresh you."

"Come along, Chefu," Jethro said, "your brother is right; a dip will
refresh us for the day."

The Egyptians were most particular about bathing and washing. The heat
and dust of the climate rendered cleanliness an absolute necessity,
and all classes took their daily bath--the wealthy in baths attached
to their houses, the poor in the water of the lakes or canals. Jethro
and the two lads leaped