So stillness came
again, and Tua and Asti slept also, nor did they wake until the sun was
shining in the heavens.
Then they arose wondering, and went down over the patch of sand that was
marked with the footprints of all the beasts to the river's brink, and
drank and washed themselves, peering the while through the mists, for
they thought that perchance they would see that golden ship with the
veiled crew which had carried them from Memphis, returned and awaiting
them in midstream.
But no ship was there; nothing was there except the river-horses which
rose and sank, and the crocodiles on the mud-banks, and the wildfowl
that flighted inward from the sea to feed. So they went back to the
ashes of their fire and ate of the food in Asti's basket, and, when they
had eaten, looked at each other, not knowing what to do. Then Tua said:
"Come, Nurse, let us be going. Up the river and down the river we cannot
walk, for there are nothing but weeds and mud, so we must strike out
through the forest, whither the gods may lead us.
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