Far and near only gray wastes of hills heaved in
heated solitude about them.
"Sit here in the shadow and rest," he said, turning to the weary girl
beside him. "I shall keep watch."
He cleared a space for her among the debris at the base of the great
fragment and pressed her down in the place he had made. Next he undid
his belt and fastened Anubis to a boulder, too heavy for the ape to
move. The animal resented the confinement, and Kenkenes, tying him by
force, found in the forepaws the collar of golden rings. With a murmur
of satisfaction, the young man reclaimed the necklace and thrust it
into the bosom of his dress.
When he arose the day grew dark before him, and he was obliged to
steady himself against the rock till the vertigo passed. His
assailants had hurt him more than he had thought. But he took up his
vigil and maintained it faithfully till all sense of danger had
vanished.
Rachel, who had been watching his face, touched his hand at last, and
bade him rest. The invitation was welcome and with a sigh he sank down
beside her.
"Lie down," she said softly. "Thou hast been most cruelly misused.
And all for me!"
Obediently, he slipped from a sitting to a recumbent posture.
Pages:
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309