boat of the worthy Otoes, nomarch of Aa, a province adjoining the
capital. Behind the prince came countless barges occupied by the court,
by priests, by officials and officers.

Provisions and servants had been dispatched earlier.

The Nile flows to Memphis between two lines of mountains. Farther the
mountains turn eastward and westward, and the river divides into a
number of arms in which the water flows through a broad plain to the
Mediterranean.

When the barge had pushed away from the landing, the prince wished to
converse with Mefres, the high priest. But at that moment such a shout
broke forth that he was forced to leave his tent and show himself to
the people.

The uproar grew greater, however, instead of subsiding. On both shores
stood and increased every moment throngs of half naked laborers, or
people of the city dressed in holiday garments. Very many had garlands
on their heads, almost all held green branches in their hands. Some
groups sang; among others were heard the beating of drums and the sound
of flutes.

Well-sweeps planted thickly along the river with buckets stood idle,
but on the Nile circled a swarm of small boats, the occupants of which
cast flowers at the barge of the viceroy. Some of them sprang into the
water and swam after the vessel.

"They greet me as they would his holiness," thought the viceroy.

And great pride possessed his heart at sight of so many stately barges
which he could detain at one sweep of the hand, and those thousands who
had left their occupations and ran the risk even of death just to see
his divine countenance.

Ramses was delighted, especially by that immense shout which rose from
the people without ceasing for an instant. That shout filled his
breast, rose to his head, exalted him. It seemed to the prince that if
he should spring from the barge he would not touch water, for the
enthusiasm of the multitude would seize him and bear him aloft above
the earth, as a bird is borne in flying.

The barge approached the left bank somewhat; the forms of people were
outlined more clearly, and the prince saw something which he had not
expected. While persons in the first ranks were clapping their hands
and singing, in farther ones clubs were visible falling thickly and
swiftly on backs that were hidden.

The astonished heir turned to the nomarch of Memphis.

"But look, worthiness, sticks are at work there."

The nomarch shaded his eyes with his hand, his neck becam