THE BANQUET.
They came at last to a large opening, at least one thousand feet square
and paved with exquisite onyx. In the centre of this square was a huge
column, surmounted by a statue of magnificent workmanship. Surrounding
this statue were five immense fountains. In each was a heroic statue of
a woman with her head thrown back, from whose mouth spouted a stream of
water high into the air. The arms were outstretched with the palms of
the hands turned upward, and from these also sprang streams of water.
Beyond the fountain, facing the avenue through which they had entered
the square, was a stone sphere ten feet in diameter, on the top of which
was a beautifully carved chair of onyx inlaid with gold. A man was
seated in this chair who was probably thirty-five years old and of
immense build. As the cavalcade approached he arose, showing to the full
his magnificent figure. This personage afterwards proved to be the King.
The square was thronged with the inhabitants of the city, the porticos
and roofs of the surrounding houses being filled with the populace.
The men were magnificent specimens of the human race. The women were six
feet six inches in height, of stately figure and dignified bearing;
their heads were small but well-shaped; the hair was of a dark brown
color fastened in a coil at the back of the neck. A band of gold passed
around the forehead just below the hair and was studded with precious
stones. They wore loose, flowing robes of white silken cloth drawn in at
the waist with a girdle of gold; around each neck was a golden chain set
with diamonds and opals; these chains were similar to those worn by the
men but of finer workmanship.
As the King raised his hand the mighty throng broke forth in beautiful
song, the King moving his hand right and left as if directing. The
voices of the men were deep and melodious, and those of the women soft
and musical. When the song was finished, the King turned his back to our
friends, and facing the magnificent building on the summit of the hill,
made a movement with his right hand. The doors of the temple were thrown
open, and a band of beautiful young girls came forth singing the same
song that the populace had sung. Merrily these maidens came tripping
toward the square, the great throng of people making an opening through
which they could pass.
Upon reaching the space before the great sphere of stone, they waited
for the occupant of the throne to descend, then fastening gold cords to
the tusks of the elephants they led them toward the temple, the populace
falling in behind. Slowly the maidens led the animals over the beautiful
square, through the mass of eager and interesting people, all of whom
made deep salaams as they passed on through the wide avenue which led to
the temple and past the magnificent buildings to the summit of the hill.
When nearing the temple ten men came forth, each wearing a long robe of
embroidered white silk.
The elephants were stopped at the main entrance of the temple, and
immediately fell to their knees, when the party dismounted. Carefully
the priests assisted them to the pavement and then walked before them
burning sweet smelling incense from silver vessels, which they swayed to
and fro. Through a wide court with a lofty colonnade on either side, up
a broad staircase with battlemented towers they proceeded, and then
entered a hexagonal hall, one hundred and fifty feet square. From here
they passed into a second court of quadrangular form. All around the
court ran arcades, forming chambers or recesses open in front, with long
silken curtains hanging from the top of the arcade, and caught up at the
sides to be used when needed. The roofs of the chambers were supported
by columns, the beauty of conception, and the exquisite finish of which,
astonished our friends. The decorations were most elaborate. Nobly
sculptured statues occupied spacious niches, and showed that those who
executed them were masters of their art. The quadrangle itself was about
three hundred and fifty feet square.
Enola was led by a priest to one of the semi-circular chambers and the
curtains were drawn. Each of the others was shown to one of these
recesses.
Enola, upon entering the chamber, looked about her and was surprised to
see the preparations made for her. In the centre of the chamber was a
beautiful designed square onyx table, supported by four spheres. Upon
this table, in great profusion lay girdles and circles of gold, all
heavily studded with diamonds and opals, similar to those worn by the
native women but of more exquisite design; also gold pins, bottles of
gold, filled with delightful perfumes, golden combs and highly polished
mirrors of silver. Upon a smaller table at the far end of the chamber
was a ewer filled with perfumed water. Near this table, resting on an
onyx sphere, was placed an extinguished lamp of fine workmanship.
Couches were in various places in this luxurious apartment; upon one of
them lay a gown of silk and gold with short flowing sleeves, and near it
another gown of pinkish white silk which was evidently meant to be worn
as an undergarment.
Across the end of the chamber were hung heavy silk curtains, which, when
parted, disclosed a bath sunken in the floor. About the bath stood six
of the maidens who had conducted the party to the temple. The maidens
stood motionless watching Enola as if waiting for her to come to the
bath. Enola hesitated for a moment, then determined to accept the
situation and walked towards the bath. The maidens disrobed her, and
leading her into the bath, forced her gently backward in a reclining
position with her head resting on an onyx head-piece, and then poured
the perfume from the golden vessels over her body, rubbing her gently
with a silken towel while doing so.
She being tired and worn out, the luxury of the perfumed bath, with the
pleasing treatment of the maidens, rested and refreshed her.
After remaining in the bath for some time the maidens raised her in
their arms, and carrying her to a couch laid her down and rubbed the
moist skin until it was perfectly dry. They then sprinkled scented
powder over her body, rubbing it gently; then motioning her to arise,
the undergarment was thrown over her shoulders, after which one of the
maidens dressed her hair in a low knot on the back of her head. A band
of gold was placed over her forehead and then the outer robe was donned.
This was fastened in at the waist by a girdle of gold; the necklace from
Harding’s neck was brought to her, but Enola noticed that none of the
maidens touched it with their naked hands, and she soon divined that in
some way her royal reception was connected with the necklace and its
flame-colored stone. Enola was then led to an alcove before which a
curtain was hung, and then the curtain being drawn aside she found the
alcove faced on either side with polished silver mirrors. She was
surprised at the lovely picture she presented, in rich gown and golden
bands around her head and waist, making her appear like an ancient
Egyptian goddess.
The long tramp through the cavern with its scarcity of water and clean
garments had left Enola in a pitiable plight, and this sudden change was
most gratifying to the natural pride of the woman. Enola was next
conducted to a couch and a pair of sandals were fitted to her shapely
feet; these were laced as far as the knee with silken cords. One of the
maidens left them for a few moments, and upon her return, motioned to
Enola and the others to follow her. They passed into the quadrangular
court and from here into one of the other semi-circular chambers. Here
on a long onyx table was spread a sumptuous repast.
Enola was led to a seat or couch at the head of the table, and half
reclining upon the soft cushions, while waiting for her friends, looked
in wonderment at the elaborate prodigality in the equipment of the room.
The sides of the chamber were hung with heavy silk curtains alternating
white and red, on which scenes of the chase, of banqueting and of
worship were gorgeously embroidered with gold thread. Exquisite
sculptures rested upon spherical pedestals. Lion, tiger and leopard
skins covered the floor, and upon the ceiling, beautifully carved, was
an immense eagle with outstretched wings, the tips reaching almost to
the ends of the chamber. In the talons of the eagle was a scroll upon
which were engraved strange hieroglyphics. At one end of the chamber a
human skeleton was standing, the only discordant object in the entire
furnishings. The table was of semi-circular form, and was covered with
flowers, fruits and chalices of wine. The flowers were held in high,
beautifully carved vases of gold and were profuse and fragrant. In the
center of the table a tiny fountain threw forth a spray of perfumed
water.
Enola was lost in admiration and did not hear a slight noise behind her,
and was suddenly startled by the immense figure of the King as he
entered and stood before her. She motioned him to the couch and he sank
down beside her. He kept his eyes intently upon her, but noticing his
look of respectful admiration Enola was half amused, and soon began a
conversation by signs all of which were readily understood by the King.
The rest of the party now came in, each of the ladies accompanied by
three maids, and the men by two male servitors each.
Nellie and Mrs. Graham were attired much the same as Enola; Mr. Graham,
Mr. Bruce and Harry were dressed as the native men, but their garments
were of a finer quality of silk.
Upon entering the chamber the male servitors retired and six maidens
took their places. Nellie was given a seat next to Enola, and next to
her came Mr. Bruce and then Harry; Mrs. Graham sat next to the King with
her husband at her left.
When all were seated, a strain of exquisite music from some hidden
orchestra of stringed instruments burst forth. The King gave a command
and fifteen maidens came tripping in singing a pretty song, their
harmonious voices blending deliciously with the music. Seven of the
maidens carried gold dishes containing chipped ice, while the others
carried cups in one hand and a vase of honey in the other. They rested
the cups on the tables and after filling them partly with honey added
wine from the chalices and then dropped into the cups some of the
chipped ice, stirring this gently with small golden ladles. This done
they stepped back and the King raising his cup, waited for the others to
do so; when they had done this the King arose and looking toward the
skeleton at the end of the room, raising his cup and saying a few words,
drank the contents. All had followed the King in his movements, and as
the cool beverage touched their lips it seemed that they had never
tasted anything half so sweet or refreshing. Months had passed since
they had known such luxuries as ice and wine and they emptied their cups
almost greedily, hoping that the etiquette of the feast would allow them
to drink long and unsparingly of the delicious beverage.
The maidens bore the cups away, and others brought in trays containing
small silken napkins and golden finger bowls filled with perfumed water.
Other maidens brought in trays, covered with figs, fresh herbs, chipped
ice and eggs of a peculiar kind in tiny cups of gold.
Thus far not a word had been spoken; the King, however, seemed surprised
at the silence, and probably surmising the reason pointed to his lips
and then to the guests, making them understand that he would like to
hear them talk. Enola took upon herself to instruct the King as far as
possible in English, pointing to different articles on the table and
then naming them. Onrai, for this was the King’s name, named the
articles slowly after her and then gave the names in his native tongue.
Mr. Bruce, who had listened intently to the names given the articles by
the King, and who had carefully studied a piece of papyrus upon which
the King had inscribed some characters when passed to him, declared the
characters to be Egyptian hieroglyphics or closely resembling them. He
had been a close student of the Egyptian hieroglyphics while at college,
and had spent many spare moments in the great British museum going over
the ancient inscriptions in the vast collection of that home of relics.
He had noticed also the inscription upon the pennant held in the eagle’s
talons on the ceiling, and the characters above the skeleton at the end
of the room. All these convinced him that the strange people around him
had originally come from Egypt, but it must have been thousands of years
before, for the language and written characters of the ancient Egyptians
had been obsolete for centuries. The skeleton in the banqueting hall was
an old Egyptian custom, and this but added to the belief that these
people had originally sprung from that race.
“One would think,” said Harry, “that we had been taken from the world of
hurry and bustle which we so recently knew, and set back two or three
thousand years into this ancient city.”
“Yes, it all seems very strange,” said Mr. Bruce, “but I must admit
there is novelty in the change at least, and for my part I am enjoying
it immensely.”
“Well, I never expected to find iced wine in the heart of Africa,” said
Mr. Graham.
“Nor I,” said Mrs. Graham, “nor cups of gold from which to drink it.”
“Truly, we must have discovered a city of the gods,” exclaimed Mr.
Graham.
“Yes,” said Mr. Bruce, “one could easily imagine from the beauty of the
city, the stateliness and courtesy of the people, and the delights of
the feast, that we have dropped into something supernatural.”
The music changed to a livelier measure, and the maidens tripped more
lightly to and fro as the feast progressed. Roast kid with wine sauce,
composed the third course, and when this was removed, the finger bowls
were again passed among the guests. Then, after more iced wine and
honey, a delicate kind of fish was served, after which came fowl,
followed by sliced fruits covered with shaved ice, and accompanied by a
new and delicious wine. The feast ended, the King arose, and leading the
way with Enola at his side, passed into the large court, where they
witnessed a magnificent entertainment.