REAR VIEW OF THE COLOSSI, WITH LUXOR IN THE DISTANCE.
[Chapter XVII.]
THE TOMBS OF THE KINGS.—RECENT DISCOVERIES OF ROYAL MUMMIES.
"From temples to tombs," wrote one of the boys in his journal, "the transition is a natural one. The kings built the temples, and recorded their exploits on the walls. When they were done with temples and all other earthly things, they were carried to their tombs and laid away to rest. We saw their temples yesterday, and to-day we have made an excursion to their tombs.
SACRED MUSICIANS, AND A PRIEST OFFERING INCENSE.
"The tombs of the kings are about three miles from the river, and the road to them is along a valley as barren as any part of the desert can possibly be. It must have been a weary route for the funeral processions from Thebes to this desolate spot, and it is probable that the kings deferred their journeys there as long as possible. The way is impassable for carriages, and so we rode on donkeys, as we have done in most of our Egyptian excursions.