I was one day seated on the banks of the Nile,
conversing with an ancient priest, when he pointed to the mighty
pyramids which rose like mountains out of the neighboring desert. 'All
that we can teach thee,' said he, 'is nothing to the knowledge
locked up in those mighty piles. In the centre of the central
pyramid is a sepulchral chamber, in which is inclosed the mummy of the
high-priest, who aided in rearing that stupendous pile; and with him
is buried a wondrous book of knowledge containing all the secrets of
magic and art. This book was given to Adam after his fall, and was
handed down from generation to generation to King Solomon the wise,
and by its aid he built the temple of Jerusalem. How it came into
the possession of the builder of the pyramids, is known to him alone
who knows all things.'
"When I heard these words of the Egyptian priest, my heart burned to
get possession of that book. I could command the services of many of
the soldiers of our conquering army, and of a number of the native
Egyptians: with these I set to work, and pierced the solid mass of the
pyramid, until, after great toil, I came upon one of its interior
and hidden passages. Following this up, and threading a fearful
labyrinth, I penetrated into the very heart of the pyramid, even to
the sepulchral chamber, where the mummy of the high-priest had lain
for ages. I broke through the outer cases of the mummy, unfolded its
many wrappers and bandages, and at length found the precious volume on
its bosom.
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