As they stepped on to this gangway their masked companions handed to each of them one of the baskets, then again bowed humbly and were gone.

Soon they gained the bank, and scarcely had their feet touched it when the gangway was withdrawn, and the great oars began to beat the muddy water.
Round swung the ship, and for a minute hung in midstream.

There stood the captain on the foredeck, and there was the steersman at the helm, and the red light of the sinking sun turned them into figures of flame.
Suddenly with a simultaneous motion these men tore off their masks so that for a moment Asti and Tua saw their faces--and behold! the face of the captain was the face of Pharaoh, Tua's father, and the face of the steersman was the face of Mermes, Asti's husband.
For one moment only did they see them, then a dark cloud hid the dying sun, and when it passed that ship was gone, whither they knew not.
The two women looked at each other, and for the first time were much afraid.
"Truly," said Tua, "we are haunted if ever mortals were, for yonder ship has ghosts for mariners." "Aye, Lady," answered Asti, "so have I thought from the first.

Still, take heart, for these ghosts once were men who loved us well, and doubtless they love us still.

Be sure that for no ill purpose have we been snatched out of the hand of Abi, and brought living and unharmed by the shades of Pharaoh your sire, and Mermes my husband, to this secret shore.