The smell of the river became insistent.  In the open stalls the fishmongers had their naked brood keeping the flies away from the stock with leafy branches.  The limits of Memphis ended precipitately at a sudden slope.  In the long descent to the Nile there were few permanent structures.  Half-way down were great lengths of high platform built upon acacia piling.  This was the flood-tide wharf, but it was used now only by loiterers, who lay upon it to bask dog-like in the sun.  The long intervening stretch between the builded city and the river was covered with boats and river-men.  Fishers mending nets were grouped together, but they talked with one another as if each were a furlong away from his fellow.  Freight bearers, emptying the newly-arrived vessels of cargo, staggered up toward the city.  Now and again sledges laden with ponderous burdens were drawn through the sand by yokes of oxen, oftener by scores of men, on whom the drivers did not hesitate to lay the lash.

River traffic was carried on far below the flood-tide wharf.  Here the long landings of solid masonry, covered with deep water four months of the year, were lined with vessels.  Between yard-arms hanging aslant and over decks, glimpses of the Nile might be caught.  It rippled passively between its banks, for it was yet seven months before the first showing of the June rise.  Here were the frail papyrus bari, constructed like a raft and no more concave than a long bow; the huge cedar-masted cangias, flat-bottomed and slow-moving; the ancient dhow with its shapeless tent-cabin aft; the ponderous cattle barges and freight vessels built of rough-hewn logs; the light passenger skiffs; and lastly, the sumptuous pleasure-boats.  These were elaborate and beautiful, painted and paneled, ornamented with garlands and sheaves of carved lotus, and spread with sails, checkered and embroidered in many colors.  From these emerged processions of parties returning from pleasure trips up the Nile.  They came with much pomp and following, asserting themselves and proceeding through paths made ready for them by the obsequious laboring classes.

Presently there approached a corps of servants, bearing bundles of throw-sticks, nets, two or three fox-headed cats, bows and arrows, strings of fish and hampers of fowl.  Behind, on the shoulders of four stalwart bearers, came a litter, fluttering with gay-colored hangings.  Beside it walked an Egyptian of high class.  Suddenly the bearers halted, and a little hand, imperious and literally aflame with jewels, beckoned Kenkenes from the shady interior of the litter.

He obeyed promptly.  At another command the litter was lowered till the poles were supported in the hands of the bearers.  The curtains were withdrawn, revealing the occupant—­a woman.