CLEOPATRA."
'.Being an Account of the Fall and
Vengeance of Harmachis, the
Royal Egyptian,
AS SET FORTH BY HIS OWN HAND.
Bv H. Rider Kagcard,
Author of King Solomon's Mines,"
"She," "Allan Quatermnin,"
Etc., Etc., Etc.
tUustratcd by NICHOI.I,. afUr CATOK WOOD
V.LLE and OREOTENHAOEN.
eoratod, and Its people crushed with op
pression. But we believe that tho hour of
deliverance Is at hand, and with tho solemn
voico of Egypt and by tho ancient Gods of
Egypt, to whoso cause thou art of all men
bound, wo call upon thee, O Prince, to bo
the sword of our delivernnccl Hearken I
Twenty thousand good and leal men are
sworn to wait upon thy word, and attliy
signal to riso as one, to put tho Grecian
to tho sword, and with their blood and sub
Bt.uico to build theo a throno set more sure
ly on tho soil of Kliem than arc its nnclcnt
Pyramids such a throno as shall even roll
tho lloman legions back. And for tliat. sig
nal, it shall bo the death of that bold harlot,
Cleopatra, Her death must thou compass,
0 Unrmaehis, in such fashion ns shall be
shown to thee, and with her blood anoint
iuu ruyui inronc 01 ugypi.
"Canst thou refuse, O our Hope! Doth
not the holy love of country swell within
thy heart! Canst thou dash the cup of
Freedom from thy lips and bear to drink
the bitter draught of slaves! Great is tho
emprise, nnd may bo it shall fail, nr.d thou
with thy life, as wo with ours, shalt pay
tho prico of our endeavor, But what ol
that, Harmachis? Is life, then, so sweet!
ro wo so softly cushioned on tho stony
bed of Earth 1 Is bitterness and sorrow in
Its sum so small and scant a thing! Do wo
ncro ureaiuo so uivino nn air mat, wo
iehould fear to faco tho jiassngo of our
r breath f hat liavo wo hero but hope and
li.memorv! 'What seo we hear but shadows!
where fulfillment is and memory is lost in
S-lts own sourco and shadows dio in the light
which cast them! O, Harmachis, that man
alono is truly blest who crowns his lifo with
Death's most splendid wreath. For since
to all tho Brood of Earth Death hands his
poppy flowers, happy indeed is he to whom
thcro is occasion given to weave them in a
crown of famo undynig. And how can a
.man more gloriously dio than in a great
endeavor to striko tho gyves from his
country's limbs, 10 that she again may
stand in tho faco of Heaven and raiso tho
shrill shout of freedom, and, clad onco
tnoro in tho panoply of strength, trampla
under foot tho memory of servitude, defy
ing tyrant nations of tho earth again to sot
the pail of their dominion qnhc-ijnaw.! .
uem c.u.3 theo, llurmaelils. uooie,
then, come, thou Deliverer; leap llko Horus
rom tho Armament, break her fetters,
scatter her foes and rulo a Pharaoh ca
Pharaoh's throne"
"Enough, enough 1" I cried, whiio tho
long murmur of applauso swept about
the columns nnd up tho massy walls.
"Enough. Is thero any need thus to adjui
mo? Had I a hundred lives, would I no
most gladly lay them down for Egypt!"
"Well saidl well said I" answered Sepo.
"Now go forth with the woman yonder, tint
she may mako clean thy hands beforo thoy
touch tho sacred emblems, and thy brow
boforo it is encircled of tho diadem."
And sol went forth with tho old wife,
Atoua, into a chamber apart, 'there, mut
tering prayers, she poured puro water up
on my bauds into a ewer of gold, and hav
ing dipped a fine cloth into tho water, there
with wiped m v brow.
"O happy Egypt 1" sho said; "O happj
Prince, that i.vt come to rulo in Egypt I O
royal youth! -too Royal to bo a priest so
shall many a fair woman think; but, per
chance for theo they will relax tho priestly
rule, olso how shall tho raco of Pharaoh bo
.arriedon! (J happy I, who dandled theo
and gavo my flesh aud b.ood to savo thee I
O royal and beautiful Harmachis, born for
splendor, happiness aud love I"
"Cease, cease," I said, for her talk jarred
upon mo; "call mo not happy till thou know
est my end ; and speak not to mo of love,
for with lovo comes sorrow, and mino is
another and a higher way."
"Ay, ay, so thou sayest and joy, too, that
comes with love I Nover talk lightly of lovo,
my King for it brought theo here I Lai la I
but it is always tho way 'Tho gooso on tho
wing laughs at crocodiles,' so goes their
aying down at Alexandria; 'but when the
:ooso Is asleep on tho water, it is tho croco
diles who laugh.' Not but what women ara
pretty crocodiles. Men worship tho croco
diles at Anthnbis (Crocodopolis), but they
worship women all tho world over I Lai
ho-v my tonguo does run on, nnd thou about
to bo crowned Pharaoh 1 Did I not prophecy
it to theo! Well, thou art clean. Lord of
tho Double Crowu I Go forth."
And I camo forth with tho old wifo's fool
ish talk ringing in my cars, though of a
ruth her folly had ever a grain of wit in it.
As I came, once moro tho Dignitaries
roso and bowed beforo mo. Then my
father, without dolay, drew near mo, and
placed within my hands a golden imago of
tho dlvlno Goddess Ma (Truth), and golden
' I CROWN THEE T
Images of tho arks of the iltvino God Amen
Ita, of tho divino Mout, and tho divine
Khons, and spako solemnly ;
"Thou swearest by tho living majosty of
Ma, by tho majesty of Anio Ha, of Mout,
andof.KiA'nsV'
"I swearl'Isald.
"Thou Bwcarestby tho holy land of Khem,
by Bihor'a fl od, by tho Temples of tho Oods
und tho eternal Pyramids!"
"I swear!"
"Remembering thy doom If thou shouldst
tiill therein, thou swearest that thou wilt In
Til things govern Egypt according to Its
Wlcnt laws, that thou wilt preervothe
7rhin of its Gods, that thou wilt do equal
' matlM. that thou wilt not oppress, that
thor wilt not botray, that thou wilt make
Mi Bitot? wltu tu0 Hpman or tho Qrtffc-
.tAOU."
cr.ai'tnou win cast oumf.o loroifcn mols,
that thou wilt devote thy life to the liberty
of tho land of Khem!"
"I swear!"
"It is well. Mount, then, thy throne, that
in Ih presenco of thtso thy subjects I may
nnmo thee Phnraoh."
I mounted upon tho throne, whereof the
footstool is a sphinx, and tho canopy the
overshadowing wings of Ma. Then did
Amenemhat onco again draw nigh and
place upon my brow tho Pshcnt, and on my
head the Double Crown, and about my
shoulders tho Royal Robe, and in my hands
tho Scepter nnd the Scourge.
"Royal Haimachis," he cried, "by these
oi .nrd signs and tokens, I, tho High Priest
of tho temple of Ra-Men Ma at Abouthls,
crrvm thee Tharaoh of tho Upper and Iower
Land. Reign and prosper, O Hopo of
"Reign end prosper, Thai-ash 1" echood
tho Dignitaries, bowing down boforo me.
Then, ono by one, thoy sworo allcgiunca,
till all had sworn. And having sworn, my
father took mo by tl.o hand; in solemn pro
cession ho led mo into each of the soven
R;nctuaries that aro in this temple of Ra-Mcn-Mn,
and in each I niado offerings,
swung incense, nnd officiated ns Priest.
Clad In tho Royal Robos I mndo offerings in
tho Shrino of Horns, in tho Shrino of lsis,
In tho Shrino of Osiris, in tho Shrine of
Amen Ra, in tho Shrino of Horcmku, in the
Shrino of PUih, till at length I reached the
Shrino of the King's Chamber.
Hero they mado their offering to me, ns
the Divino Pharaoh, and left mo very
weary but a K.ng.
niAPTEn vni.
AIlF.'Vnt.l. OF AMENEMHAT TO nA1MCntS:
Ctl.MlNO OP IIAKMACUIS TO AI.KXA NDi.IA;
1 XllOttTATlON OF SEPA; THE PASSIM! OP
ct.r.oPATiiA iionno ts isis: and tub ivr.it-
TIIIIOWOl'THIl (ll.AlllATOIt 11V HAUMACUIS.
nfi8feP70W tho long days of
preparation had
passed, and tho time
was at hand. I was
initiated, and I was
crowned; so that,
although tho com
mon folk knew mo
not, or knew mo
only ns Priest, ol
Isis, there were In
? Egvnt thousands who
fdWw u f- at heart bowed down to
was at hand, and mv soul went
jto- lorin to meet it. ror i jougcu
II to overthrow tho foreigner, to set
Egypt free, to mount tho throno that was
my her.tage, and clcanso tho temples ol
my Gods. I wis fain for tho struggle, and
I never doubted of ita end. I looked into
tho mirror, nnd saw triumph written on
my brows. Tho futuro stretched apathot
glory from my feet ay, glittering with
glory like Sihor in tho sun. I communed
with my Mother Isis; I sat within my
chamber and took counsel with my heart;
I planned new temples; I revolved great
laws that I would put forth for my peopln's
weal; nnd in my cars rang the shouts of ox
ultation that should greet victorious Pha
raoh on his throne.
liut still a littlo whilo I tarried at
Abouthls, and, having been commanded so
to do, let my hair, that had been shorn, grow
again long anit black as tho raven's wing,
instructing myself meanwhile in nil manly
exorcises and feats of arms. Also, for a
purposo thst shall bo seen, I perfected my
self in that magic art of tho Egyptians and
the reading of tho stars, in which things,
indeed, I already had great skill.
Now, this whs the plan that had been
built up. My unelo Sepa had, for awhile,
loft tho Temple of On, giving out that his
health had failed him. Thenco ho had
moved down to a house in Alexandria, to
gather strength, as ho said, from tho
' C2.it h of the so:. uciL-isoV) bwn for l.'?t
sel'Ve wonders of tho great MuJoum uild
tho glory of Cleopatra's Court. Thcro it
was planned that I should join him, for
there, at Alexandria, tho egg of tho plot
was hatching. Accordingly, when at last
tho summons came, all things being pro
parcd, I mado mo ready for tho journey
mid passed into my father's chamber to ro
ceive his blessing ero I went. Thero sat
tho old man, as onco boforo ho sat when ho
rebuked mo because I went out to slay tho
lion, his long white beard resting on tho
tablo of stouo and sacred writings in his
hand. When I camo in ho roso from his
seat and would havo knelt, crying: 'Hail,
Pharaoh 1" but 1 caught him by tho hand.
"It is not meet, my father," I said.
"It is meet," ho nnsworcd. "It is moot
that I should bow mo boforo my King. But
bo it as thou wilt. And so thou goest,
Harmachis! My blessing go with thoe, O
.iiy son, and may those whom I servo grant
It to mo that my old eyes maj , indeed, be
hold thee on tho throne I Long havo I
searched, striving, O Harmachis, to read
the futuro that shall be, but naught can I
learn by all my wisdom. It is hid from mo,
and at times my heart fails mo. But hear
this: Thero is danger in thy path, and it
comes in tho form of woman. Long have I
known It, nnd therefore hast thou been
called to cho worship of tho heavenly Isis,
who bids her votaries put away tho thought
of woman till suvh tlmo ss sho shall think
well to slacken tho rulo. O my son, I
would that thou wort not so strong and fair
stronger aud fairer, indeed, than any man
in Egypt, ns a King should bo for In thnt
strength and beauty may Ho a cause of
stumbling. Beware, then, of thoso witches
of Alexandria, lest, llko a worm, some one
of them creep into thy heart and cat Its
secret out."
"Havo no fear, my father," I answorcd,
frowning; "my thought Is set on other
things than red lips and smiling eyes."
"It is good," ho nnsworcd; "so may it bo
fall. And now farewell. When next wo
meet, may it bo in that happy hour when,
with all tho Priests of the Upper Land, I
move down from Abouthls todo my homago
to Pharaoh on his throne,"
So I embraced him, and went. Alas I I
littlo thought how wo should meet again.
Thus it camo about that onco moro I
passed down tho Nile, traveling as a man
of no estate. And to such as wcro curious
about mo it was given out that I was the
adopted son of tho High Priest of Abouthls,
having been brought up to tho priest-hood,
nnd that I had at last ro fused tno scrvico
of tho Oods, and chosen to go to Alcxan
dria to seek my fortune. For, bo it remnm
berod, I was by all thoso who knew not the
truth r-till hold to bo tho grandson of the
old wife, Atoua.
On tho tenth niht, sailing with tho wind,
wo reached tho mighty city of Alexandria,
tho city of a thousund lights. Above them
nil towered tho whito Pharos, that wondor
of tho woild, from the crown whoreof a
light llko tho light of tho sun blazed out
a. n.-ss tho wators of tho harbor to guldo
n ariners on their way across tbo wlno-dark
sea. Tho vossol, for it was night, having
been most cautiously mado fust to tho quay,
1 disembarked nnd stood wondering at the
vast mass of houses, and confused by the
ciamor of many tongues. For here all pco
plos secued to bo gathered together, oach
speaking after the fushlon of his own land
And as I stood a young man camo und
touched mo on tho shoulder, asking mo if I
was from Abouthls and named Harmuchls.
I said, "Yea" Thereon, bonding over mf
hovbijx)red tho secret pass word Into mine
ear, aud, beckoning to two slaves, balo
thtua brlnj my apparel from tho ship, Tlua
PPM
w : asm
iupy uiu, iife-miig-iu" wa; trougn tho
crowd of porters who wero clamor
ing for hire. Then I followed him
adown tho quay, which was bordered with
drinking places, whero all sorts of men
wcro gathered, tippling wine and watch lug
tho dancing of women, some of whom wero
but scantily arrayed, and sorno not arrayed
at all. And so wo went through the lamp-lit
houses, till at last wo reached the shore of
tho great harbor, and turned to the right
along nwido way paved with granite and
bordered by strong houses, having cloisters
in front of them, tho liko of which I had
never seen. Turning ouco more to th
right, wo camo to a quieter portion of the
city, whero, savo for parties of strolling
revelers, tho streets wero still. Presently
my guide halted at a houso built of whit
stone. Yt passed in, (wid, crossing a small
courtyard, entered a chamber whore thers
was a light. And horo at last I found my
undo Repa, most glad to seo mo safe.
When I had washed and eaten ho told me
that all things went well, and that ns yet
thero was no thcight of evil at tho Court.
Further, ho said, it having come to tho enrs
of tho Queen that th Priest of On
was sojourning at Alexandria, she
sent for him nnd closely questioned
him not ns to any plot, for of that sho
never thought, but us to tho rumor which
had reached her that thcro was treasure
hid In tho Great Pyramid that Is by On.
For, being over wasteful, sho was ever in
want of money, and had bethought her of
opening tho Pyramid. But l.o laughed
at hor, telling her tho Pyramid was the
burying placo of tho l)iino Chufu, and
that naught knew ho of its secrets. Then
sho was angered, and sworo that so surely
ns sho ruled in Egypt sho would tear it
down, stono by stone, and discover tho
secret at its heart. Again ho laughed, nnd
in tho words of tho proverb which thoy
havo hero at Alexandria, told her that
"Mountains livo longerthan Kings." There
on sho smiled ut his ready answer and lot
aim go. Also my undo Sepa toid mo that
on tho morrow I should seo this Cleopatra.
For it was her birthday (as, indeed, It was
also mine), und, dressed ns tho Holy Isis,
sho would pass in state from her palaco on
tho Lochias to tho Serupcum to offer a sac
riilco at tho shr.no of tho false God who
sits therein. Aud ho said thereafter that
tho fashion whereby I should gain entrance
to tho household of tho Queen should bo
contrived.
Then, being very weary, I went to rest ;
but could sleep littlo for tho strangoness of
the place, tho noises in tho streets, and tho
thought of tho morrow. Whilo it was yet
dark, 1 rose, climbed tho stair to tho roof of
tho house, and waited. Presently tho sun's
rays shot out like arrows, and lit upon tho
white wonder of tho marblo Pharos, where
of tho light instantly sank and died, as
though, indeed, tho suu had killed it. Now
tho rays fell upon tho marblo palaces of tho
Lochias whero Cleopatra lay, and lit thorn
up till thoy flamed llko a jewel set on tho
dark, cool bosom of tho sea. Away the
light flew, kissing tho Soma's sacred dome,
wherein Alexander sleeps, touching tho
high tops of a thousand palaces and tem
ples; past tho poiiicoes of tho great mu
seum that loomed near at hand, striking
tho lofty shrino whero, carven of Ivory, la
tho imago of tho falso God Serapis, and at
last seeming to lose itself in tho vast and
gloomy Necropolis. Then, as tho dawn
gathered into day, tho groat flood
of brightness overbrimming tho bowl
of night flowed into tho lower lands
and streets, and showed Alexandria red in
tho sunriso us tho mantlo of n king, aud 1
shaped as a mantlo. Tho Etesian wind
camo up from tho nurth nnd swept a way tho
vapor from tho harbors, so that I saw their
blue waters rocking a thousand ships. I
saw, too, that mighty molo of tho Hepta
stadium; I saw the hundreds of streets,
tho countless houses, tho innumerable
wealth and splendor of Alexandria, setliko
a queen betwixt Mareotis and tho ocean, '
and dominating both, and I was filled with
wonder. This, then, was ono city in my
herit. go of lands nnd cities 1 Well, it was
worth tho grasping, Aud having looked
my full and fed my heart, as it were, with
tho sight of splendor, I communed with
tho Holy Isis and camo down from tho
roof.
In tho chamber beneath was my uncle
Sepa. I told him that 1 had been watch
ing tho sun rise over tho city of Alex
andria. "So I" ho said, looking at me from beneath
his shaggy eyebrows; "and what thinkost
thou of Alexandria?"
"I think it Is liko somo city of tho Gods,"
I nmjwcred.,
AjT no replied, fiercely, "a city of the
infernal Gods a sink of corruption, a bub
bling well of Iniquity, n homo of falso faith
springing from faleo hearts I 1 would that
not ono stono of it woro loft upon nnothci
stono, and that its wealth lay deep beneath
yonder wators I I would that tho gulls woro
screaming across its site, and that the
wind, untainted by a Grecian breath, swopt
through Its ruins from ocean to Mareotis I
O Royal Harmachis. let not the luxury and
beauty of Alexandria poison thy souso; fof
in thoir deadly air Faith perishes and Reli
gion can not spread her heavenly wings.
When tho hour comes for theo to rule,
Harmachis, cast down this accursed citv,
and, as thy fathers did, sot up thy throno In
tho whito walls of Momfl For I tell thee
that for Egypt Alexandria Is but a splendid
gala of ruin, nnd whilo it endures nil na
tions of tho earth shall march through it to
tho plunder of the land, and all falso faiths
shall nestle In it and breed the overthrow
of Egypt's Gods."
I mado no answer, for there was truth In
his words. And yet to me tho city seemed
very fair to look on. After wo had oaten,
my uncle told nio it was now time to set
out to view tho march of Cleopatra, as sho
wont In triumph to tho shino of Serapis.
For although she would not pass till with.
In two hours of tho midday, yet these peo
plo of Alexandria havo so great a love of
shows ana idling that had wn not presently
set forth by no means could wo have romo
through tho press of tho multitudes who
wero already gathering along tho highways
whero tho Queen must rido So wo went
outto takoour placo upon nstand, fashioned
of timber, that had been built at tho side of
the great road which pierces through tho
city, even to tho Canopm Gate. For there
in my undo had purchased n right to enter,
and that dearly.
And with much strugglo wo won our way
through tho great crowds that wcro al
ready gathered in tho streets., till wo
reached tho scaffolding of timber, which
was roofed in with nu awning and gayly
hung with scarlet cloths. Hero wo seatwl
ourselves upon a bench und waited for
soma hours, watching tho multltudo press
past, shouting, singing nnd talking loudly
in many tongues. At length camo soldiers
to clour tho roud, clad, uftor tho Roman ,
fashion, In coats of chuln armor. After
them marched horalds enjoining silcuco
(whereat tho pnpuluco sang and shouted all
tho moro loudly), und crying that Cleo
patra, tho Queen, wus coining. Then fol
lowed a thousand Cllician skirmishers, a
thousand Thracians, a thousund Macedo
nians, und a thousand Gauls, each armed
after the fashion of their own country.
Then paused ilvo hundred men of thoso ,
who aro o lied tho Fenced Horsemen, for
both men and horses wero altogether cov- ,
ered with armor. Next camo youths and
maidens sumptuously draped and wearing ,
fclden crowns, putl with, them images syia- j
ch-"- uuf amr-nign, jKCTningtiua xvoon,
the Heavens and the Earth. After theso
camo many fair women pouring perfumes
on the road, and others scattering bloom
ing flowers. Now there roso a great shout
of "Cleopatra! Cleopatra!" and I hold my
breath nnd bent forward to seo her who
dared to put on tho robes of Isis.
But at that moment the mul'.itudo so
gathered and thickened in front of whoro I
was that 1 could no longer clearly see. So
in my eagerness I leapt over the barrier of
tho scaffolding, and, being very strong,
pushed my way through the crowd till I
reached the foremost rank. And, as I did
so, Nubian slam armed vrlth thick staves
and crowned with ivy leaves ran up, strik
ing tho people. Ono man more especially,
for ho was a giant, and, being strong, was
Insolent bcyoud measure, smiting tho co
pie without cause, as, indeed, is tho wont of
low persons set In authority. For nigh to
mo stood a woman, an Egyptian by her faco,
bearing n child In her arms, whom tho man,
seeing thnt sho was wrak, struck on the
head with his rod so that sho fell prone, aud
tho peoplo murmured. But my blood
rushed of a sudden through my veins at tho
sight, and drowned my reason. In my
hand I held a staff of olivo wood from
Cyprus, and as tho black bruto laughed at
tho sight of tho stricken woman and 'ier
babo rolling on tho ground, I swung tho
staff aloft and smoto. So shrewdly did I
striko that tho tough rod split upon the
giant's shoulders and tho blood spurted
forth, staining his trailing leaves of ivy.
Thon, with a shriek of pain nnd furyfor
thoso who smlto lovo not that thoy
bo smitten did ho turn nnd spring
at mot And all tho peoplo round
gavo back, savo only tho woman who
could not rise, leaving us twain in a ring, as
it woro. On ho camo with a rush, and, as ho
camo, being now mud, I smoto him with my
clenched Jlst botween tho eyes, having
naught elso wherowlth to smlto, nnd ho
staggered liko an ox beneath tho first blow
of the priest's axe. Thereat tho peoplo
shouted, for they lovo to seo a light, and tho
man was known to them as a gladiator vic
torious in tho games. Gathering up his
strength, tho kntivo camo on with nu oath,
nnd, whirling his heavy staff on high, struck
nt mo in such n fashion thnt, had 1 not by
nlmbloncss avoided tho blow, Iliad surely
been slain. But as it chanced, tho staff hit
upon tho ground, and so heavily that it flow
in fragments. Thereon again tho multitudo
shouted, nnd tho great man, blind with
siL 3j$Ajf
I THEN F0U TItn FlnST TIME PAW CI.EOI'ATIIA.
fury, rushed at mo to smite mo down. But
with a cry I sprang straight ut his throat
for ho was so heavy n man that I know I
could not hopo to throw him by strength
ay, nnd gripped It. There I clung, though
his lists battered mo like bludgeons, driving
my thumbs Into his throat. Round nnd
round wo turned, till nt length ho tlunghlin
self to tho earth, trusting thus to shako mo
off. But I held on fast ns wo rolled over
nnd over en tho ground, till at last ho grow
faint for want of breath. Then I, being up
permost, dravo my knee down upon his
chest, und, as I boliovo, should thus havo
slain him in my rage, had not my undo nnd
others thero gathered fallen upon mo and
dragged mo from him.
And inoanwhilo, though I knew It not,
tho chariot wherein sat tho Queen, with
elephants going beforo nnd lions led after
it, had como even to tho spot, nnd becauso
of the tumult had been halted. I looked up,
and thus torn, panting, my whito garments
stained with tho blood that had rushed
from tho mouth and nostrils of tho mighty
Nubian, 1 for tho tirst timo saw Cleopatra
faco to face. Hor chariot was all of gold,
and drawn by milk-whlto steeds. Therein
idie sat with two fair girls, clad in Oreek
attire, standing ono on either side fanning
her with glittering fans. There she sat In
the splendid car. On her head was tho cov
ering of Isis, tho golden horns between
which rosted the moon's round disk and tho
emblem of Osiris' throno, with tho urmus
twinod nround. Bcnoath the covering was
tho vulturo cap of gold, the bluo ouainolcd
wings, nnd tho vulturo head with gommy
eyes, under which her long, dark tresses
flowed toward hor feet. About hor rouiyl
ed neck was a broad collar of gold studded
with omeralds aud coral. Round her arms
aud wrists wore bracelets of gold studded
wnn cmdrnias-ana csmi, ana .-juo ifnnu
sho held tho holy symbol of life (crux ansa
ta) fashioned of crystal, and in the othor
tho golden rod of royalty. Her breast was
bare, but under wns a garment that glls
toned llko tho scaly covering of n snako,
evorywhero sewn with gems, Beneath this
robe was a skirt of golden cloth, half hid by
a scarf of the broldered silk of Cos, falling
in folds oven to the sandals that, fastened
with great pearls, adorned her whito and
tiny feet.
All this I discerned at a glnnce, as it
were. Then l looked upon tho face that
face which scducco Casar, ruined Egypt
nnd was doomed to glvo "Augustus tho
scepter of tho world. I looked upon tho
flawless Grecian features, tho rounded chin,
the full, rich lips, the chiseled nostrils and
tho cars fashioned liko dellcato shells. I
saw tho forehead, low, broad and lovely, tho
crisped, dark hair falling in heavy waves
that sparkled in tho sun, tho arched eye
brows and tho long bent laahes. Thero bo
foro mo was iho grandeur of her imperial
rhapo. Thero burnt tho wonderful oyus,
liurd liko tho Cyprian violet eyes thut
seemed to sleep and brood on secret things
as night broods upon tho desert, und yet us
tho night to shift, chango and bo illumined
by cit'iims of sudden splendor born within
their starry depths. All thoso wonders I
saw though 1 havo small skill in tolling
them. But even then I know thut it was
not In theso charms ulono that tho
might of Cleopatra's beauty Iny. Rath
er was it in h glory and h nidi
nnco cast through tho fleshy covering
from tho ilorco soul within. For sho wus a
Thing of flamo Iiko unto which no woman
hath cvor boen nor over will be. Even when
she brooded, tho flrd of her quick heart
shono through her But when sho woke,
and tho lightning leapt suddenly from her
eyes, and the passloii-ladcii uiusla of her
speech chimed upon her lips, ah 1 then who
can tell how Cleopatra seemedf For In her
trict all tho splendors that huve been given
to woman for her glory, and all tho genius
which man has drawn from lleuvon. And
with them dwelt every evil ot thut greater
sort which J-jHrlrt, nothing audjpukliur a
-uiocu'ji laws, natn wzen empires ror ru"
placo of play, and, smiling, watered tho
growth of Us desires with tho rich blood
of men. In her breast they gathered, to
gether fashioning that Cleopatra whom no
man may draw, nnd yet whom no man, hav
lngseen, ever can forgot. They fashioned
her grnud as tho Spirit of Storm, lovely as
Lightning, cruel ts Pestilence, yot with a
heart; aud whut sho did Is known. Woe to
tho world when such another comes to curso
Itl
For a moment 1 met Cleopatra's eyes ns
she idly bent herself to find tho tumult's
cuuse. At first they wore somber and dark, as
though they saw, Indeed, butths brain read
naught. Then tticy awoke, and their very
color ecme )o ahango as the colev
of tho sea oh an get when the water Is
j shaion. First, thero was anger wrltton in
' them; next, an idle noting; then when sho
' looked upon tho huge bulk of the man whom
I had overcome and know htm for tho
gladiator, something, perchance, that wns
' not fnr from wonder. At the least they
softened, though, indeed, hr faco clwxnged
' not a wit. But ho who would rend Cleo-
pntra's mind had need to watch her oyes,
for her countcnanco vnrlod but a littlo.
' Turning, sho said somo words to her guards.
Thoy camo forward and lod mo to hor,
I while all tho multitudo waitod silently to
seo mo slain.
I I stooJ boforo hor, my arms folded on my
breast. Overcomo though I was by tho
wonder of hor loveliness, I hated tn my
heart, this woman who dared to clotho her
self In the dress of Ists this usurper who
sat upon my throne, this wanton squander
lug tho wealth of Egypt In chariots nnd
perfumes. When sho hnd looked mo over
from tho head to tho feet sho spako In a
low full voico nnd in tho tonguo of Kliuml,
which she alono had learned of all tho Lag
ldm:
"And who and what art thou, Egyptian
for Egyptian I seo thou nrt who darest to
smtto my slave when I mako progress
through my city!"
"I am Hnrmachls," I nnsworcd, boldly
"Harmachis tho astrologer, adopted son of 1
tho High Priest nnd Governor of Abouthls, I
who am como hither to seek my fortuno.
I smoto thy slave, O Queen, becnuso for no
fault ho struck down tho woman yondor.
Ask of those who saw, Royal Egypt."
"Unrmaehis I" sho said; "tho nanio hath
n high sound and thou hnst n high look."
And then speaking to a soldior who had
seen all, sho bailo him toll her what had
como to pass. This ho did truthfully, being
friendly disposed toward mo, becauso I hud
overcomo tho Nubian. Thoreon sho turned
and s polio with tho girl bearing tho fan who
stood besido hor -a woman having curling
hair and shy, dark oyes, vory beautiful to
seo. Tho girl answerod somewhnt. Then
Cleopatra bado them bring tho slavo to her.
Bo they led forwiud tho giant, who hnd
found his breath ngaln, nnd with him the
woman whom ho had smitten down.
'Thou dogl" sho snid, in tho samo low
yoico; "thou coward I who, being strong,
didst smlto down this woman, and, being a
coward, wast ovorthrownof thisyoungman.
Bee, thou, I will teach theo innuuors.
Hencoforth, when thou smitest womon, it
shrill bo with thy left arm. Ho, guards,
sclzo this black coward aud striko off his
right hand."
And her commnnd given, sho sank back
in liergoldou chariot, and ngaln tho cloud
fathered in her oyes. But tho guards
Bcizcd tho giant, nnd, notwithstanding his
rrios and prayers for moroy, struck off his
hand with a sword upon tho wood of tho
scaffolding, nnd ho wascarrlod away groan
ing. Then the procossion moved on again.
As it went tho fair woman with tho fan
turned hor liend, caught my oyo, and smiled
and nodded us though sho rejoiced, whorout
1 wondered somowltat.
Tho peoplo cheorod also and mndo josts,
Baying that I should soon prnotlco astrology
lu tho palaco. But us soon ns we might I
nnd my undo escaped, and mado our way
back to the houso. All tho whilo ho rated
mo for my rashness; but when wo cams
within tho ohambor of tho houso ho em
braced mo and rejoiced greatly, becauso
with so littlo hurt to myself I had over
thrown tho giant.
To roinovo whito spotH from fitrnl
turo rub thorn with a cloth wot in weak
apiritH of camphor, and afterward with a
vory littlo linsocd oil. '
Oystors Roasted in tho Sholl: Wash
tho Hhoils clean, and wipo dry. Put in a
baking pan, nnd Hot iiwido tho Htovo
twonty-livoinlnutoH. SorvoonhotdlslioH,
with huttor, poppor and Halt. Ladios'
Homo lournul.
Wintor SitccotaHh: Thlscan bo mado
of dry Lima beans and ciinnod corn
which may bo loft from forinor dinnorH.
Warm thotn ovor togothor with a littlo
milk and huttor, and thicken tho milk
with a littlo Hour.
For a cough, boll ono ounco of flax
noort in a pint of wator, Htrain and add a
littlo honoy, ono ounco of rook candy,
and tho juico of throo lemons; mix and
boll woll. Drink as hot as posnlblo.
lIotiKohold.
Now Yotir'H Cako: Ono pound butter,
tlin'o-fourtliH pound lard, two and ono
fourth pottndH sugar, olght wino glasses
wator (or two Hcant toaotipH wator), two
ti'iiHpoonfiilH soda, caraway Hood, with
or without, asypti ploaso. Albany.Iour
nal. To got rid of llloH, don't loavo tho
dinner table standing. BriiHh up all
crumbs from the carpet. Keep the din
ing room dnrkoncd. Keep all klmlu of
food clr.iely covored, 'Never loavo
Hticky npoon or iIIhIioh lying around.
When cooking, put tho Hulled UIhIios
Into a pan, pour wator over them und
leave them until ready to wash. Novor
leave the migur bucket open. Plan to
Htarve the IlleHj it in easily dono.
Rolled Plum Pudding: Throo cups
Hlfted Hour, one cup chopped raisins, one
cup whole raisins, one cup currants, one
fourth pound sliced citron, ono-hnlf cup
brown sugar und molasses mixed, one
cup sweet milk, one tenspoonftil ground
cloves, one teaspoon fill cinnamon, one
half a nutmeg grated, ono teaspoon salt,
one teaspoon salerntus, one egg. Add to
the prepared fruit one extra tablespoon
flour and stir in lust. Place in a tin mold
or pail, which must be plunged In a ket
tle of water and boiled steadily for throo
hours.
Pumpkin Preserve: Wash tho pump
kins and peel them thickly, cut In tiar-I'-rs
and take out the seeds; put tho
seeds and skins In n pan covered with
vvater and boll for half an hour, then
Htrain und keep the water; cut tho pump
kins In pieces one inch broad by about
two inches long; weigh them and take
one pound of sugar to each pound of
pumpkin ami ono teueupful of tho water
tho skins were boiled in; put tho sugar
and water on to boll with a littlo essence
of ginger, When it has boiled about ten
minutes put lu tho pieces of pumpkin
and boll all for half un hour or throo
I quarters, till it looks transparent. Do
j trolt Freo Provs.
TriE BAHR JOUSSUF.
A Cnnnl lltillt Hy ,1oM-p)i tThlch Has Ncrer
'rnrl Its Onirc.
I low ninny of tho engincorinp works
of the nineteenth century will I hero bo
In existence In tho year GOOO? Vory
few, wo four, nnd still less thoso thnt
will continue inthofnr-olTngc to sorvo
a useful purpose. Yot there is utlcnst
one great unlei'tukinff conceived nnd
executed by tin engineer which during
the space of -1,000 years litis never
reused its olllce. on which the lifo of u
fertile province- nbsolutoly depends t
tlny. Wo refer to tho Ruhr .loussiif
tho cm ul of Joseph -built, nccniilinf-'
to triitlition, by tho f-on of Jneob, nnd
tvhich constitutes not the lcttft of the
ninny blessings ho conferred upon
l-'gypt during' tho years of his prosper
ous rule. This cnnnl took its riso from
the Nile ut Asitit, nnd run nearly par
allel with it for nearly 2.r0 miles,
sreepinji nlon; under thu western cliils
f the Nile valley, with many a bund
mil winding, until at length it gained
in eminence, ns compared with the
river-bed. which enabled it to turn
westward through a nat row puss and
pnter a district which was otherwise
hut off from tho fertilizlni; Hoods on
which till vegetation in Egypt depends.
Tho northern end stood seventeen
feet above low N'ile, whilo at the south
ern end it wns nt tin equal elevation
with the tiver. Through this cut ran
a peri iiniitl stream, which watered u
province named the Kayouni, endow
ing it with fertility nnd siipportiii a.
large population. In tho time of tho
mutual Hood a great part of the canal
was under water, and then tho river's
current won d rush in a more direct
course into tho puss, carrying with it
tho rich silt, which takes the placo of
tnunuro and keeps tho soil in a statu
of constant productiveness.
All this, with the exception of tho
tradition that Joseph built it, can bo
verilled to-day, and it is not moro sup
position or rumor. Until eight yearn
ago it was llrmly hulieved that, tho de
sign has always been limited to an ir
rigation scheme, larger, no doubt, than
that now in operation, as shown by
tho traces of abandoned canals and by
the slow aggregation of wasto wator
which hud accumulated in thu Birlcet
ol Quoriin, but still essentially thu
sumo In character.
Many accounts havo been written by
Greek and Uomnn historians, such as
Herodotus, Strabo, Mutlanus and
Pliny, and repeated in monkish legends
or portrayed in the maps of tho middle
ages, which agreed with tho old lore
of tho district. Thoso talos explained
that, the canal dug by tho ancient Is
raelito served to carry tho mrplus
waters of tho Nilo into an extonsivo
lake lying south of the Fayotun, ami
so largo that it not only modillcd tho
climtito, tempering tho arid winds of
the desoi'l and convortlne; thorn into
tho balmy airs which nourished the
vines und tho olives into a fullness
and fragrance unknown In any part of
tho country, but also added to tho food
supply of tho laud such immense quan
tities of llsh that tho royal prerogative
of tlio right of piscary at tho grout
weir was valued at if'JoO.OOO annually.
This lake was said to bo -ISO miles
round, and to bo navigated by ti fleet
of vessels, whilo tho wholo circumfer
ence was tho scone of industry and
prosperity. Engineering.
Mottoes for Various Peoplo.
The Toper Put mo in my littlo bad
Tho Conductor King tho boll softly.
Tho Doctor All's woll thut ends
woll.
Tho Huttor Will hoover shoot that
hat?
Tho Cabman Han'som' is that
hau'som' does.
Tho Pickpocket My hoartgoos with
my hand.
Tho Policeman Far from tho mad
ding crowd.
The Insurance Man Along lifo and
a morry ono.
Tho Thin Man May my Bhadow
novor grow loss.
Tho Pugilist Knocking, knocking;
who is thoro.
Tho Fat Man Oh, that this too, too
solid flush would molt.
Tho Politician A long pull, a strong
pull and a pull all togothor.
Tho Old Maid 'Tla hotter to Iiivo
loved and lost than to havo never loved
at all.
Tho Editor All Hnrs ahull havo
their part in tho lako that burnetii
with Around brimstone. N. Y. Herald.
Pigs Swim a Wide Lake.
A Portland man last Btiminor plncod
three pigs on a beautiful isle that in
nearly in tho middle of big Pocotopaug
lako, his Intention being that the pigs
should earn their own living on thu
round littlo grassy island. Then ho
rowed tho skiff in which ho had fer
ried ttio pigs to thoir now homo back
to his dwelling. Ho entered hln hornu
and sat down and rend tho Middlesex
County Hocord thirty minutes, when
ho hoard three joyful nnd triumph
ant squeals in tho back yard. 'Ihti
throo pigs had roturnod from thulr
lonely island homo. Some ono who
saw tho pigs coming across tho wide
lako said they steered as straight for
thoir ancestral pigsty as n mariner
could have laid his coin-so with a com
I ass. They swam abroast, bivimted
tho mltuln billows gleefully, und an
Ihoy camo into port and saw tho ftw
miliar old homostead grunted li salutu
every timo thoy rolled up on a wave.
N. Y. Sun.
Tho most respleudont reputation
ever earned by n Malno man Is that of
a horao Jockey In Waldo County, whosu
customers aro said to havo so much
oonlldouco tn him that they buy by
telephone or tologruph without look
ing ut tho horstf.