nce and
splendor those they had first met with, and Amuba's wonder reached its
climax when they arrived at Memphis, till lately the capital of Egypt.
The wealth and contents of the city astonished the captives, but most
of all were they surprised when they saw the enormous bulk of the
pyramids rising a few miles distant from the town, and learned that
these were some of the tombs of the kings.

The country had now altered in character. On the left a range of steep
hills approached the river, and as the march proceeded similar though
not so lofty hills were seen on the right.

At last, after another fortnight's traveling, a shout of joy from the
army proclaimed that Thebes, the capital of Egypt, the goal of the
long and weary march was in view.

Thebes stood on both sides of the Nile. On the eastern bank the
largest portion of the population was gathered, but this part of the
city was inhabited principally by the poorer class. There was, too, a
large population on the Libyan side of the Nile, the houses being
densely packed near the bank of the river. Behind these were numbers
of temples and palaces, while the tombs of the kings and queens were
excavated in a valley further back, whose precipitous sides were
honeycombed with the rock sepulchers of the wealthy. As the
dwelling-houses were all low, the vast piles of the temples, palaces,
and public buildings rose above them, and presented a most striking
appearance to those approaching the city, which lay in a great natural
amphitheater, the hills on both sides narrowing toward the river both
above and below it. The march of the royal army from Memphis had been
on the western bank of the river, and it was the great Libyan suburb
with its palaces and temples that they were approaching. As they
neared the city an enormous multitude poured out to welcome the king
and the returning army. Shouts of enthusiasm were raised, the sound of
trumpets and other musical instruments filled the air, religious
processions from the great temples moved with steady course through
the dense crowd, which separated at once to allow of the passage of
the figures of the gods, and of the priests and attendants bearing
their emblems.

"Indeed, Jethro," Amuba exclaimed with enthusiasm, "it is almost worth
while being made a slave if it is only to witness this glorious scene.
What a wonderful people are these; what knowledge, and power, and
magnificence! Why, my father's palace would be regarded