I was on duty to watch the laborers who were completing the great
pillared hall, and he was respected by every one, and never failed in his
duty. Once, however, he had neglected it; it was that very night which
you all will remember when the wolves broke into the temple, and tore the
rams, and the sacred heart was laid in the breast of the prophet Rui.
Some one, of course, must be punished, and it fell on poor Huni, who for
his carelessness was condemned to forced labor in the mines of Mafkat.
His successor will keep a sharp look out! No one came to see him off,
though I know he had a wife and several children. He was as pale as this
cloth, and was one of the sort whose grief eats into their heart. I went
up to him, and asked him why no one came with him. He had taken leave of
them at home, he answered, that his children might not see him mixed up
with forgers and murderers. Eight poor little brats were left unprovided
for with their mother, and a little while before a fire had destroyed
everything they possessed. There was not a crumb to stop their little
squalling mouths. He did not tell me all this straight out; a word fell
from him now and then, like dates from a torn sack. I picked it up bit
by bit, and when he saw I felt for him he grew fierce and said: 'They may
send me to the gold mines or cut me to pieces, as far as I am concerned,
but that the little ones should starve that--that,' and he struck his
forehead. Then I left him to say good bye to Uarda, and on the way I
kept repeating to myself 'that-that,' and saw before me the man and his
eight brats. If I were rich, thought I, there is a man I would help.
When I got to the little one there, she told me how much money the leech
Nebsecht had given her, and offered to give it me to save Pentaur; then
it passed through my mind--that may go to Hum's children, and in return
he will let himself be shipped off to Ethiopia. I ran to the harbor,
spoke to the man, found him ready and willing, gave the money to his
wife, and at night when the prisoners were shipped I contrived the
exchange Pentaur came with me on my boat under the name of the other,