"I thank you and the gods shall give you your reward.

Leave us, and go back to your homes, but before you go, take a gift from me." Then she sent for the gold that they had gathered in their trading in the city of Tat, and gave it to be divided among them, a great and precious treasure.

Only the pearls she kept, with a little of the gold.
So the captains saluted her, and in the mists of the morning they and their swarthy host stole away, and soon were hidden in a cloud of dust.
From the backs of their camels Tua and Asti watched them go like a dream of the night.

Then with no word spoken between them, for their lips were sealed with hope and wonder, wrapping themselves in their dark cloaks, they rode down to the highway by the banks of the Nile, which led to the walls of Napata.

Mingling with other travellers, they passed through the Field of Pyramids, and coming to the beautiful northern gate that was covered over with gold, waited there, for this gate was not yet opened.
A woman who led three asses laden with green barley and vegetables, which she purposed to sell in the market-place, fell into talk with them, asking them whence they came.
Asti answered, from the city of Meroe, adding that they were singers and dealers in pearls.
"Then you have come to the right place," answered the woman, "for pearls are rare at Napata, which is so far from the sea; also it is said that the young King loves singing if it be good." "The young King ?" asked Asti.