apple of bluestone. "In our country chiefs do not labour with their
hands."

"Different lands, different ways," answered Eperitus. "In my country men
wed not their sisters as your kings do, though, indeed, it comes into
my mind that once I met such brides in my wanderings in the isle of the
King of the Winds."

For the thought of the Æolian isle, where King Æolus gave him all the
winds in a bag, came into his memory.

"My hands can serve me in every need," he went on. "Mowing the deep
green grass in spring, or driving oxen, or cutting a clean furrow with
the plough in heavy soil, or building houses and ships, or doing smith's
work with gold and bronze and grey iron--they are all one to me."

"Or the work of war," said Rei. "For there I have seen thee labour. Now,
listen, thou Wanderer, the King Meneptah and the Queen Meriamun send
me to thee with this scroll of their will," and he drew forth a roll of
papyrus, bound with golden threads, and held it on his forehead, bowing,
as if he prayed.

"What is that roll of thine?" said the Wanderer, who was hammering at
the bronze spear-point, that stood fast in his helm.

Rei undid the golden threads and opened the scroll, which he gave into
the Wanderer's hand.

"Gods! What have we here?" said the Wanderer. "Here are pictures, tiny
and cunningly drawn, serpents in red, and little figures of men sitting