Page:Captain of the Polestar.djvu/325

 Rh soldiers were put to the sword, and I, with many more, was led away into captivity.

"For years and years I tended cattle in the great plains by the Euphrates. My master died, and his son grew old, but I was still as far from death as ever. At last I escaped upon a swift camel, and made my way back to Egypt. The Hyksos had settled in the land which they had conquered, and their own King ruled over the country Abaris had been torn down, the city had been burned, and of the great Temple there was nothing left save an unsightly mound. Everywhere the tombs had been rifled and the monuments destroyed.  Of my Atma's grave no sign was left.  It was buried in the sands of the desert, and the palm-trees which marked the spot had long disappeared.  The papers of Parmes and the remains of the Temple of Thoth were either destroyed or scattered far and wide over the deserts of Syria.  All search after them was vain.

"From that time I gave up all hope of ever finding the ring or discovering the subtle drug. I set myself to live as patiently as might be until the effect of the elixir should wear away. How can you understand how terrible a thing time is, you who have experience only of the narrow course which lies between the cradle and the grave!  I know it to my cost, I who have floated down the whole stream of history.  I was old when Ilium fell.  I was very old when Herodotus came to Memphis.  I was bowed down with years when the new gospel came upon earth.  Yet you see