their upward voyage, by watching its rising, and the preparations for the welcome inundation. They observed that all the openings of the canals and dykes were now closed again, so as to prevent the water from returning to the bed of the river, as the wide-spread inundation retired. The irrigation of the fields would thus be greatly prolonged, and the fertilizing process perfected by the time that the ardent rays of an Egyptian sun had dried up the overflowing waters.

So rapidly and so effectually does the glowing heat effect this absorption, and so entirely is the moisture evaporated, that no fevers or other epidemic diseases are generated by the damp or the decaying vegetation. The surface of the earth is revivified after its temporary immersion; and the land that was so lately a wide lake, is covered, in a miraculously short time, with a carpet of the richest green, and ornamented with flowers of every hue.

Cleon was never weary of gathering the blossoms that grew near the different spots where the boatmen drew to shore, ard stopped for rest and refreshment. Their toil was very light in comparison with the labour that was required in ascending the river. Except when a north wind blew against them, they had little to do but to let the boat float down the stream, and to direct its course. But the Egyptian boatmen were as they are now—an indolent race; and they loved to recline on the shore, around a large fire in the cool of the evening, and to sing their sweet but monotonous native airs.

It was pleasant also to the travellers to leave the barge and wander on the shore. Sometimes Selim also disembarked; and he and Cleon got rid of their superfluous spirits by a gallop

along the flat margin of the Nile. Sometimes the horse was tethered in some sheltered spot, and allowed to graze the luxuriant herbage that sprang up, even to the very edge of the water. Then Cleon would amuse himself with weaving wreaths of flowers and creeping plants, and adorning the neck of his favourite with the fragrant and graceful garlands; or he would form chaplets, and crown the heads of his mother, Calanthe, and Medora; while Alypius looked on approvingly, or even ventured to assist him.

One evening Medora accompanied the child to a spot at some little distance from the landing-place, where some flowers of peculiar beauty were growing on a bank that sloped towards the river. Alypius was not invited to accompany them; indeed Medora had seemed to repel his attentions all that day, and not to desire his society.

Sadly and silently he remained beside Claudia, who read his feelings, and pitied him.

"Let us follow my boy and Medora," she said, rising from her seat on the soft turf. "I do not like Cleon to be out of my sight: he is so wild and thoughtless, and I see they are going on round that promontory. I am always fancying danger for him; though I try to remember all the mercy which has been extended to him and to me, and to trust that the same Almighty arm will continue to protect him."

"He is a noble boy, Claudia," replied Alypius; "and you may well be proud of him, and prize him highly. So much simple, earnest faith, so much firmness of purpose, combined with such artless, childlike manners, and sweetness of disposition, I never imagined could exist in one so young. Medora

loves him almost as fondly as you do. Claudia, I envy the boy her affection."

Claudia smiled with grateful and glistening eyes. She loved to hear the praises of her child; but just now she was thinking of Alypius, and smiling at his envy of Cleon. She thought that if he were to read Medora's heart as plainly as she fancied she could do, he would be well content with the degree of interest with which he had inspired her sister. But she did not dare to tell him so; she only said, laughing

"You must envy no one, Alypius: but indeed I see not why you should envy my little Cleon the affection of his aunt. It would not please you to be regarded as he is."

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"O Claudia, you know that her favour is the object of my most fervent desire. I thought at one time that she did feel some interest in me. When first we spoke of our Christian faith, and our Christian hopes, there was a sympathy between us that rejoiced my soul. But now she has grown capricious, or at least uncertain. Sometimes she shows me all her former confidence; and then again she seems to avoid me, or scarcely to be conscious of my presence. Day by day, as we approach nearer to Alexandria, she becomes more cold and distant."

"Dear Alypius," said Claudia gently, "it pains me to remind you of our father's declared intentions with regard to Medora; but it is necessary that you should both of you bear them in mind. I do not think that he will actually force my poor sister to espouse the idolater Muthis-"

Alypius started, and shivered as she said those words.

"He shall not, he dare not!" he exclaimed. "No, that Egyptian shall never be the husband of Medora !"

"Calm yourself, Alypius," replied Claudia, soothingly. "I believe, as I was saying, that my father will not compel Medora to become the bride of Muthis. But will he ever admit a Christian into his family? Will he so far overcome the prejudices which caused my banishment and all my long years of sorrow, as to sanction your seeking Medora's hand? I fear not, even though my mother would be your warm friend. I fear that patience, and faith, and courage will all be called for."

"Claudia, I could wait with patience, and I could act in faith, and I could endure with courage-yes, for years-if only I could be assured that Medora's heart were mine; and that she would prize my devotion, and return my love."

“Do not despair, Alypius," said Claudia; and she smiled again encouragingly.

CHAPTER XXVII.

T this moment Claudia and Alypius passed round the low cliff which had hidden Medora and her little nephew from their sight. They saw them seated on a bank, with a multitude of flowers around them, and busily engaged in forming a chaplet of lotus blossoms.

Suddenly Cleon, who sat at Medora's feet, uttered a cry of alarm, and attempted to rise, calling on his aunt to do the same. But the boy's foot slipped, and he fell again on the grassy bank; and as he did so, Medora beheld the opening jaws and fearful rows of teeth of a large crocodile rise above the water. She seized Cleon, and snatched him from the ground just as the voracious creature was about to close his jaws on the child's leg. She turned to fly, but the teeth of the crocodile had seized the hem of her flowing robe, and she could not escape.

With admirable presence of mind she placed Cleon on the bank as far as she could reach from the savage monster, and implored him to escape; but the brave boy only caught hold of the skirt of her dress, and strove with all his might to drag it from the jaws of the crocodile.

It was a fearful struggle, and must have ended in the destruction of one or both of the intended victims, had not help been sent by the Lord.

Claudia and Alypius saw the dreadful contest; they saw