Joyously the two passed by the venerable sycamore tree, hollow, gnarled and almost leafless, beneath the branches of which tradition says that Joseph and Mary rested with the infant Christ in their flight into Egypt. The obelisk of Osertasen I., which has stood five thousand years, was gazed at by young Madcap with a certain amount of awe. It was dark before Max was ready to return. Instead of taking the nearest route to the city, Mr. Gordon, to please Max, dispensed with the guides who had been good for nothing save the receipt of backsheesh, and made a detour, leaving Heliopolis on their right. They had not gone far before they came upon a number of wild-looking fellows, half Arab, half Nubian--a species of creature which is interesting as a study at long range, but whose acquaintance is not desirable. “What shall we do, dad?” asked Max, anxiously. “We must pass them.” “Is it safe?” “No, Max, far from it.” “Then why not retrace our steps?” “We have been seen and should be overtaken.” “But could we not reach the men we feed so liberally?” “We might, but they would help these fellows rather than us in order to share the backsheesh.” While the two had been talking the Arabs had formed a circle round them, at a distance of fifty or sixty yards. Gradually the circle diminished until the robbers closed in and stood shoulder to shoulder in firm and solid phalanx. “What do you want?” asked Mr. Gordon. “Money,” was the reply. “You shall have all I have got with me.” “Hand it over.” Mr. Gordon was about to comply with the demand, but no sooner had he put his hand into his pocket than they suspected danger. “No, no, by the beard of the prophet put up your hands!” It would be just as feasible to try and sweep back ocean’s tidal waves with a broom as to oppose the demands of those robbers of the desert. Mr. Gordon raised his hands. “Now yours, also,” said the spokesman, whose English was intelligible. Max raised his hands as he was commanded. Every article of value was taken from them, and the robbers seemed to be satisfied. “Sit down!” the chief commanded. “What for?” asked Max. But instead of receiving a reply he received a smart blow on the cheek which caused him to reel. That was more than the boy could stand, and he answered the blow with another. The chief interfered and stopped the fight. “Sit down!” Again Max pluckily asked: “What for?” “Because I order it, and I am the stronger.” “Are you?” “Yes; besides, I have men here who will do my bidding, even to the death.” “Coward!” hissed Max, through his teeth, while his eyes flashed with defiance. “Hush, Max!” whispered Mr. Gordon. “Do as we are bidden; it will be better so.” But all the defiance of the boy’s nature was aroused, and he turned to his father almost angrily. “You may, dad, you have lived here so long; but I am an American, and I will not obey such a command without knowing the reason.” “You are a fool!”