They turned toward the priest, but he had vanished among shadows.
The throng raging a little while earlier, amazed and filled now with gratitude, forgot both its anger and the wonder-working priest. It was mastered by a wild delight; men rushed to the bank of the river, on which many lights were burning and where a great hymn was rising from the assembled people,
"Be greeted, Nile, sacred river, which appearest on this country! Thou comest in peace, to give life to Egypt. O hidden deity who scatterest darkness, who moistenest the fields, to bring food to dumb animals, O Thou the precious one, descending from heaven to give drink to the earth, O friend of bread, Thou who gladdenest our cottages! Thou art the master of fishes; when Thou art in our fields no bird dares touch the harvest. Thou art the creator of grain and the parent of barley; Thou givest rest to the hands of millions of the unfortunate and for ages Thou securest the sanctuary." [Authentic]
At this time the illuminated boat of Ramses sailed from the shore opposite amid songs and outcries. Those very persons who half an hour earlier wished to burst into his villa were falling now on their faces before him, or hurling themselves into the water to kiss the oars and the sides of the boat which was bearing the son of their ruler.
Gladsome, surrounded by torches, Ramses, in company with Tutmosis, approached Sarah's dwelling. At sight of him Gideon said to Tafet,
"Great is my alarm for my daughter, but still greater my wish to avoid
Prince Ramses."
He sprang over the wall, and amid darkness through gardens and fields he held on in the direction of Memphis.
"Be greeted, O beauteous Sarah!" cried Tutmosis in the courtyard. "I hope that Thou wilt receive us well for the music which I sent to thee."
Sarah appeared, with bandaged head on the threshold, leaning on the black slave and her female attendant.
"What is the meaning of this?" cried the astonished Ramses.