captives was extremely small,
and as the sun blazed down with tremendous heat, and they were
half-suffocated by the dust which rose in clouds under the feet of the
vast body of men, their sufferings were very severe. The Rebu captives
had gained the respect of the troops who escorted them by their manly
bearing and the absence of the manifestations of grief which were
betrayed by most of the other captives. The regiment was composed of
Libyan mercenaries, hardy, active men, inured alike to heat and
fatigue.

During the three months which the march had occupied Amuba and Jethro,
and indeed most of the captives, had acquired some knowledge of the
Egyptian language. Jethro had from the first impressed upon the young
prince the great advantage this would be to them. In the first place,
it would divert their thoughts from dwelling upon the past, and in the
second, it would make their lot more bearable in Egypt.

"You must remember," he said, "that we shall be slaves, and masters
are not patient with their slaves. They give them orders, and if the
order is not understood so much the worse for the slaves. It will add
to our value, and therefore obtain for us better treatment, if we are
able to converse in their tongue."

Amuba was thankful indeed when the gray monotony of the desert was
succeeded by the bright verdure of the plains of Egypt. As they
entered the land the order in which they had marched was changed, and
the long line of captives followed immediately after the chariot of
the king. Each of them was laden with a portion of the spoil taken
from their native country. Amuba bore on his head a large golden vase
which had been used in the ceremonies of the temple. Jethro carried a
rich helmet and armor which had belonged to the king.

The first city they entered Amuba was astonished at the massive
splendor of the buildings and at the signs of comfort and wealth which
everywhere met his eye. The streets were thronged with people who,
bending to the ground, shouted their acclamations as the king passed
along, and who gazed with interest and surprise at the long procession
of captives representing the various nations who had been subjected to
his arms. Most of all he was surprised at the temples with their long
avenues of sphinxes, the gigantic figures representing the gods, the
rows of massive pillars, the majesty and grandeur of the edifices
themselves.

"How were they built, Jethro?" he exclaimed over and again. "