The red-beard filled a large beaker, and offered it first to a forger and his fettered companion, then he approached Pentaur, and whispered:
"Do not drink any-keep awake!"
As he was going to warn the physician too, one of his companions came between them, and offering his tankard to Nebsecht said:
"Here mumbler, drink; see him pull! His stuttering mouth is spry enough for drinking!"
CHAPTER XXXV.
The hours passed gaily with the drinkers, then they grew more and more sleepy.
Ere the moon was high in the heavens, while they were all sleeping, with the exception of Kaschta and Pentaur, the soldier rose softly. He listened to the breathing of his companions, then he approached the poet, unfastened the ring which fettered his ankle to that of Nebsecht, and endeavored to wake the physician, but in vain.
"Follow me!" cried he to the poet; he took Nebsecht on his shoulders, and went towards the spot near the stream which Uarda had indicated. Three times he called his daughter's name, the young Amalekite appeared, and the soldier said decidedly: "Follow this man, I will take care of Nebsecht."
"I will not leave him," said Pentaur. "Perhaps water will wake him." They plunged him in the brook, which half woke him, and by the help of his companions, who now pushed and now dragged him, he staggered and stumbled up the rugged mountain path, and before midnight they reached their destination, the hut of the Amalekite.
The old hunter was asleep, but his son aroused him, and told him what
Uarda had ordered and promised.