It was an hour after sunset before all was arranged and the third blast of the trumpet was given. The guide mounted his Arabian horse, and the march began. Thousands of persons from Pelusium and the neighbourhood, stood by the road-side, and saluted them as they departed. The slaves began to sing, and the bells on the necks and feet of the camels chimed between. Every thing in the caravan was performed in measured time, the step of the camels, the jingling of the bells, and the song of the slaves. Both men and beasts were full of alacrity, and thus, even in the desert, one portion of the dreary way after another is performed without tediousness. Helon’s heart beat high with the thought that he had entered on the road to Jerusalem; and he could not refrain from exclaiming, when the signal for the march was given, “Happy are the people that know the sound of the trumpet.” To Myron his exclamation was unintelligible, and he continued to exercise his Attic raillery upon every thing around him; but Helon was too much absorbed in his own thoughts to notice him. The first day’s journey, as is usual with caravans, was very short; and they halted, after a march of an hour and a half, at Gerrha, where there was a fountain, by which they encamped. All the press and tumult was renewed. The beasts and the merchandise were placed in the middle, and tents were erected all around, as a shelter from the burning heat of noon. Myron’s slave went to fetch wood and water: Sallu unpacked the travelling equipage from the camel, and the three travellers helped him to set up the tent. He then spread a carpet, on which Elisama seated himself; coverlets and mattresses were brought out for sleeping; and a round piece of leather, having rings at the circumference which can be drawn together like a purse by a string which runs through them. This was to be laid on the ground before the meal, that the dishes might be placed upon it. The slave had brought the wood—a fire was made in the sand, and the camp kettle placed upon it. While Sallu and the slave were preparing the meal, Helon and Myron joined Elisama in the tent. Myron’s slave brought a hare which he had purchased of an inhabitant of Pelusium, and was about to dress it. Elisama observed it, and joined with Sallu, who thrust the slave away, exclaiming, “that the animal was unclean, and must not be dressed for food for his masters.” “Nay, what is this?” said Myron; “the game is excellent, and I meant it to do honour to my introduction into your society.” “We may not eat of it,” replied Elisama; “it is unclean. It is forbidden in the law to eat any animal, which ruminates without dividing the hoof.”[22] Footnote 22: Deut. xiv. 7. “Ye are then worse off even than the Egyptians,” said Myron, “who are only forbidden to eat their sacred animals. We Greeks are wiser than either: we eat what we like.” “And _do_ what ye like;” interposed Helon. “But we have the law.”