For once the magnificence of the wondrous city of the gods was set down
from its usual preeminence in the eyes of the wondering spectator, and
the vastness of the multitude usurped its place. The bari of Kenkenes
seeking to round the island of sand lying near the eastern shore
opposite the village of Karnak, met a solid pack of boats. The young
sculptor took in the situation at once, and, putting about, found a
landing farther to the north. There he made a portage across the flat
bar of sand to the arm of quiet water that separated the island from
the eastern shore. Crossing, he dismissed his eager and excited
boatmen and struck across the noon-heated valley toward the temple.
The route of the pageant could be seen from afar, cleanly outlined by
humanity. It extended from Karnak to Luxor and, turning in a vast loop
at the Nile front, countermarched over the dromos and ended at the
tremendous white-walled temple of Amen. Between the double ranks of
sightseers there was but chariot room. The side Kenkenes approached
sloped sharply from the dromos toward the river, and the rearmost
spectators had small opportunity to behold the pageant. The multitude
here was less densely packed. Kenkenes joined the crowd at this point.
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