Still, it seems
that you lack one thing--undoubting faith in the goodness of the gods.
Though, surely," he added in a slow voice, "those who have passed yonder
lion-haunted forest without hurt should not lack faith. Say, now, how
came you there?"
"We are ladies of Egypt," interrupted Asti, "or at least this maiden is,
for I am but her old nurse. Man-stealing pirates of Phoenicia seized us
while we wandered on the shores of the Nile, and brought us hither in
their ship, by what way we do not know. At length they put into yonder
river for water, and we fled at night. We are escaped slaves, no more."
"Ah!" said Kepher, "those pirates must mourn their loss. I almost wonder
that they did not follow you. Indeed, I thought that you might be
other folk, for, strangely enough, as I slept in the sand last night, a
certain spirit from the Under-world visited me in my dreams, and told
me to search for one Asti and another lady who was with her--I cannot
remember the name of that lady. But I do remember the name of the
spirit, for he told it to me; it was Mermes.
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