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Page 5
Were there leisure to listen, the diamond could readily relate the
whole history of this famous valley. For the stone was fashioned to
its present shape while the thought that formed the Pyramids was yet
unborn, and while the limestone and granite whereof they are built lay
in their silent beds, dreaming, perchance, of airy days before the
deluge, long ere the heated vapors stiffened into stone. Some great
patriarch of early days, founder of a race called by his name, picked
up this diamond in the southern desert, and gave it its present form;
perhaps, also, breathed into it the marvellous historical gift which
it retains to this day. Who was that primal man? how sounded his
voice? were his eyes terrible, or mild? Seems, as we speak, we glimpse
his majestic figure, and the grandeur of his face and cloudy beard.
He passed away, but the enchanted stone remained, and has sparkled
along the splendid march of successive dynasties, and has reflected
men and cities which to us are nameless, or but a half-deciphered
name. It has seen the mystic ceremonies of Egyptian priests, and
counts their boasted wisdom as a twice-told tale. It has watched the
unceasing toil of innumerable slaves, piling up through many ardent
years the idle tombs of kings. It has beheld vast winding lengths of
processions darken and glitter across the plain, slowly devoured by
the shining city, or issuing from her gates like a monstrous birth.
But whither wander we? Standing in this hotel of modern Boston, we
must confine our inquiries to a far later epoch than the Pharaohs'.
Step aside, and let the old history sweep past, like the turbid and
eddying current of the mysterious Nile; forbearing to launch our skiff
earlier than at the beginning of the present century.
The middle of June, eighteen hundred and sixteen: the river is just
beginning to rise, and the thirsty land spreads wide her lap to
receive him. Some miles to the north slumbers Cairo in white heat, its
outline jagged with minarets and bulbous domes. Southward, the shaded
Pyramids print their everlasting outlines against the tremulous
distance; old as they are, it seems as though a puff of the Khamsin
might dissolve them away. Near at hand is a noisy, naked crowd of men
and boys, plunging and swimming in the water, or sitting and standing
along the bank. They are watching and discussing the slow approach up
stream of a large boat with a broad lateen-sail, and a strange flag
fluttering from the mast-head. Rumor says that this boat contains a
company of strangers from beyond the sea; men who do not wear turbans,
whose dress is close-fitting, and covers them from head to
foot,--even the legs. They come to learn wisdom and civilization from
the Pyramids, and among the ruins of Memphis.
A hundred yards below this shouting, curious crowd, stands, waist-deep
in the Nile, a slender-limbed boy, about ten years old. He belongs to
a superior caste, and holds himself above the common rabble. Being
perfectly naked, a careless eye might, however, rank him with the
rest, were it not for the talisman which he wears suspended to a fine
gold chain round his neck; a curiously designed diamond ring, the
inheritance of a long line of priestly ancestors. The boy's face is
certainly full of intelligence, and the features are finely moulded
for so young a lad.
He also is watching the upward progress of the lateen-sail; has heard,
moreover, the report concerning those on board. He wonders where is
the country from which they come. Is it the land the storks fly to, of
which mother (before the plague carried both her and father to a
stranger land still) used to tell such wonderful stories? Does the
world really extend far beyond the valley? Is the world all valley and
river, with now and then some hills, like those away up beyond
Memphis? Are there other cities beside Cairo, and that one which he
has heard of but never seen,--Alexandria? Wonders why the strangers
dress in tight-fitting clothes, with leg-coverings, and without
turbans! Would like to find out about all these things,--about all
things knowable beside these, if any there be. Would like to go back
with the strangers to their country, when they return, and so become
the wisest and most powerful of his race; wiser even than those
fabulously learned priestly instructors of his, who are so strict with
him. Perhaps he might find all his forefathers there, and his kind
mother, who used to tell him stories.
Bah! how the sun blisters down on head and shoulders: will take a dive
and a swim,--a short swim only, not far from shore; for was not the
priest telling of a boy caught by a great crocodile, only, a few days
ago, and never seen since? But there is no crocodile near to-day; and,
besides, will not his precious talisman keep him from all harm?
The subtile Nile catches him softly in his cool arms, dandles him,
kisses Him, flatters him, wooes him imperceptibly onwards. Now he is
far from shore, and the multitudinous feet of the current are hurrying
him away. The slow-moving boat is much nearer than it was a minute
ago,--seems to be rasping towards him, in spite of the laziness of the
impelling breeze. The boy, as yet unconscious of his peril, now
glances shorewards, and sees the banks wheel past. The crowd of
bathers is already far beyond hearing yet, frightened and tired, he
wastes his remaining strength in fruitless shouts. Now the deceitful
eddies, once so soft and friendly, whirl him down in ruthless
exultation. He will never reach the shore, good swimmer though he be!
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