By the next afternoon, the preparations of the party were completed, and they embarked on the dahabiyeh, which was manned by a crew in which the owner had complete confidence.
Their voyage up the storied river was replete with beauty and romance. All the glory of ancient Egypt seemed embodied in that wonderful stream, that is in some respects the most remarkable river in the world. The senses of the Americans were fairly steeped in its glamour and mystery as they sat under the awnings in the day, with the sunlight falling on the rippling surface and reflected in a thousand diamond glints, or at night, when the full moon flooded it with solemn splendor.
But the witchery of the mighty river could not divert Don’s thoughts from his father.
Was he still alive? Had he succumbed to hardships? Was he wandering bewildered and dazed under the scorching suns of that foreign country? What had befallen him? Where would they find him, if they found him at all? And even if he were discovered and taken home, would all the skill in the world be able to restore the splendid mind he had been dowered with at birth?
All these questions kept tormenting Don without ceasing, and he had a furious impatience for the end of the journey. His heart leaped with joy when they finally reached Luxor, on the site of the former city of Thebes, the magnificent capital in ancient times of the kingdom of Egypt.
Dusk was still lingering in the sky when the dahabiyeh drew up to the city, but it was still light enough to see across the river the massive cliffs that hemmed in the Valley of the Kings, that royal mausoleum of scores of great rulers who had had to bow to a stronger hand than theirs, and yet even in death clung to the relics of their pomp and power.
Don thrilled as he looked at those towering cliffs. At their base was the far-famed Valley of the Kings. The words that had been so often on his father’s lips! The valley where even now his father might be laboring feverishly, following what? A genuine light or a mere will o’ the wisp?
The boy could scarcely wait till daylight, and almost as soon as the dawn had reddened the sky he and the rest of his party, only less eager than himself, were afoot and getting ready for their trip.
They breakfasted well at the excellent hotel kept for the accommodation of tourists from all over the world who yearly visit the far-famed spot and who just then were in greater force than usual, drawn by the wonderful discoveries recently made at the tomb of Tut-ankh-Amen.
There was still a certain freshness in the morning air when, after breakfast, the party set out; but by the time they had crossed the river the sun was beginning to make itself felt, and by the time they had reached the celebrated valley it was beating down on them with a fierceness that reminded them of the Sahara.