escaped. Here they made a slight and hasty repast upon some
coarse provisions which they found, and instantly struck again into the
woods, which they judged safer than the plain. But Sophron fortunately
recollected that he had formerly visited this village with his father,
while yet a child, and before the country had suffered the rage of
barbarous invasions. It was a long day's march from home, but, by
exerting all their strength, they at length arrived, through rough and
secret paths, at the hospitable cottage where Sophron and his parents
dwelt. Here they were joyfully received, as the long absence of the
young man had much alarmed his parents, and made all the hamlet anxious
concerning his safety. That night they comfortably reposed in a place of
safety, and the next morning, after a plentiful but coarse repast, the
father of Sophron again congratulated his guests upon their fortunate
escape, and entreated them to let him hear the history of their
misfortunes.

"'I can refuse nothing,' said the venerable stranger, 'to persons to
whom I am under such extraordinary obligations, although the history of
my life is short and simple, and contains little worthy to be recited.
My name is _Chares_; and I was born in one of the maritime cities of
Asia, of opulent parents, who died while I was yet a youth. The loss of
my parents, to whom I was most affectionately attached, made so strong
an impression upon my mind that I determined to seek relief in travel,
and for that purpose sold my paternal estate, the price of which I
converted into money and jewels, as being most portable. My father had
been a man distinguished for his knowledge and abilities, and from him I
imbibed an early desire of improvement, which has always been my
greatest comfort and support.

"'The first place, therefore, which I visited was Egypt, a country
renowned in every age for its invention of all the arts which
contribute to support or adorn human life. There I resided several
years, giving up my time to the study of philosophy, and to the
conversation of the many eminent men who resorted thither from all the
regions of the world. This country is one immense plain, divided by the
Nile, which is one of the noblest rivers in the world, and pours its
tide along the middle of its territory. Every year, at a particular
season, the stream begins gradually to swell with such an increase of
waters, that at length it rises over its banks, and the whole extent o