Page:The land of enchantment (1907, Cassell).djvu/71

 day she told the Persian king the truth, and Cambyses was so enraged that he determined to invade Egypt.”

“I should think he did lose his hair,” put in Harry. “I think it was a mean trick to play. Some of those chaps were cads.”

“Others give a different story. They say that one day a Persian lady came to see Cassandanē, Cyrus’ queen. She noticed how handsome her children were, and could not cease from admiring them.”

“‘Alas!’ said poor Cassandanē. ‘I would that Cyrus thought like you, for he neglects me for Nitétis of Egypt.’

“Cambyses, her eldest son, heard these words, and clenching his fists, cried in a rage, ‘Mother, when I am a man I will turn Egypt upside down for you.’ He was only ten years old at the time, but he kept his word.”

“Well done, Cambyses!” observed Harry.

“There was another incident which assisted Cambyses. Phanes, an Egyptian, and a valiant warrior, fell foul of Amasis, and determined to desert him for Cambyses. Amasis pursued him, but he evaded the messenger by making him drunk, and eventually arrived in Persia. He gave Cambyses much useful information, and, above all, advised him to make an ally of the king of the Arabs, in order that he might traverse the desert safely. For thou must remember that in one portion of the desert which had to be crossed no water can be obtained for three days.”

“Gracious!” said Harry. “Oh! I’m just longing to see the desert. But, do you know, Herodotus, I always thought it was as flat as a pancake; and now Mr. Grey, who has been there, says it is quite hilly and rocky. It rather upset my idea of it; but, anyhow, I shall soon see for myself, I hope. Please forgive me for interrupting.”

“It matters not,” said Herodotus, “save that I have lost the thread of my discourse. However, I will tell thee of a curious thing which occurs to me. It had often appeared strange to me that, in spite of wine being brought in earthen jars twice a year into Egypt, there was never a jar to be seen. What thinkest thou had become of them?”

“I give it up,” said Harry. ‘It sounds to me like a riddle, and I’m no good at them.”

“’Tis very simple,” replied the Greek. “When the jars are empty the ‘demarch,’ or what thou wouldst call mayor, of the town collects all of them and sends them to Memphis. Then they are filled with water, taken into the desert, and stored there.”