One of the men
raised himself and made ready to obey. Holding to Kenkenes with one
hand, he drew a knife from his belt and prepared to strike.
At that instant, the captive caught sight of a pale woman-face, the
eyes blazing with vengeance. There was a flash of a white-sleeved arm
and the thump and jolt of a dagger driven strongly through flesh. The
murderous Nubian yelled and tumbled, kicking, on the sand. He carried
a knife at the juncture of the neck and shoulder.
Instantly there was a chorus of yells.
"She-devil! Hyena!"
Unas detached himself from the struggle and plunged after Rachel, now
in full sight of Kenkenes. He saw her retreat, warding off the fat
courier with her hands; he saw her stumble and fall; he saw Anubis fly,
with a chatter of rage, in the face of the courier, and struggling
mightily, he threw off his captors, and leaped to his feet.
And then the light went out in Egypt!
[1] It was not uncommon for Egyptians to threaten their gods.
CHAPTER XXXV
LIGHT AFTER DARKNESS
A water-carrier in Syene was carrying a yoke across his shoulders and
the great earthen jars swung ponderously as he walked. His bare feet
disturbed the red dust of the path down to the granite-basined river,
and tiny clouds puffed out on each side of the way at every footfall.
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