Then she has to draw water from a cistern called the Well of the Sun." "Do you know where that cistern lies ?" asked Publius.
"Behind the acacia-grove," answered Lysias.

"The guide pointed it out to me.

It is said to hold particularly sacred water, which must be poured as a libation to the god at sunrise, unmixed with any other.

The girls must get up so early, that as soon as dawn breaks water from this cistern shall not be lacking at the altar of Serapis.

It is poured out on the earth by the priests as a drink-offering." Publius had listened attentively, and had not lost a word of his friend's narrative.