It was the path of Israel, leading east to the Rameside
wall.
Kenkenes tightened his sandal straps and continued toward the south.
Ahead of him, the horizon began to glow and then an edge,--a half,--all
of a perfect moon lifted a vast orange disk above the world. At its
first appearance it was sharply cut by a tower of the city of Pithom.
"Now, the God of Israel be thanked," he said to himself, "for another
mile I can not cover."
The gates were tightly closed and a sentry from the wall challenged him.
"I bring a message to the Pharaoh," he answered.
"The Son of Ptah is not within the walls."
"Hath he departed," Kenkenes wearily asked, "or came he not hither?"
"He came not to Pithom."
"Come thou down, then, and let me in, friend, for I am spent."
In a little time, he entered the inn of the treasure city, was given a
bed, upon which he flung himself without so much as loosening the
kerchief on his head, and slept.
CHAPTER XLIII
"THE PHARAOH DREW NIGH"
In mid-afternoon of the following day, Kenkenes awoke and made ready to
take up his search again. He was weary, listless and sore, but his
mission urged him as if death threatened him.
The young man's athletic training had taught him how to recuperate.
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