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I think sailing on the river would be lovely, dear. We can talk to that nice man, Ray. He seems to know
so much.
Rashid tugged on Captain Brentworth s sleeve, gesturing frantically toward the boat. When they turned
to look, Ra was bending to untie the line from the shore.
I can wait no longer, Ra said almost apologetically. Already Apophis will have had time to ready his
minions. Do you sail with me or remain?
Jenny looked at her uncle.
I ll go, she said.
The others nodded. Jenny bent and scooped up Mozelle, who was busily stalking another butterfly. The
kitten never seemed to get disheartened at her failure to catch one, and Jenny grinned.
Come along, little Persistence. We re going for a ride.
21
Magic
Ra let them put their gear aboard, and Neville was grateful. However real or unreal this was, it seemed
wise to keep the water, weapons, and food near at hand.
Once they were aboard, the boat seemed quite a bit larger than it had from the shore. Its slenderness
was deceptive. Toward the middle it was wide enough for two ranks of rowers, one on either side, with
ample room for someone to walk between the rower s seats and the central cabin.
A steering platform dominated the stern. The rudder was attached to a long pole that angled out of the
water to rest on a high frame. The entire structure made a triangle whose base was the platform itself.
The steersman stood within that triangle to operate the rudder by means of a pole that extended in front
of him. A second platform, this one with high sides, dominated the front of the vessel.
Ra said, My place is in the center. If I am pulled over the side and so destroyed by my enemies, there is
no cause for the voyage to continue, for in that moment all will be lost. Do any of you know how to steer
such a vessel?
Captain Brentworth surprised Neville by promptly volunteering.
I do. I ve sailed the Nile and the Thames both. Will we be using the sail or the oars?
The sail, Ra replied, unless Apophis s magic steals the wind.
Right, Captain Brentworth said. I ll just go back and have a look at that rudder.
Ra nodded. I will direct the sail from the center of the boat, but I could use an assistant. We will also
need someone on the front platform to watch for obstacles and probe for the best channels.
Neville wanted to volunteer, but he knew his bad ankle would make his balance chancy. Eddie s arm
disqualified him as well, and Rashid could not call out warning. Neville glanced over at Jenny, who
looked as if she had reached the same conclusion he had.
I ll do it, she said, though I may need a bit of coaching.
It shall be yours, Ra promised.
Mozelle seemed to approve of this, for she gave a chirping meow and leapt into the god s lap, ignoring
the threat implied in the curved beak.
Trust a cat to find the warmest seat in the house, Neville thought.
Rashid grinned at the kitten, and mimed to Ra his own willingness to help with the sails. Mischief leapt
from his perch around the youth s neck and climbed the mast.
The rest of you, Ra said, must stand ready and alert to repel Apophis and his minions. There will be
danger. They are determined, and losing this battle night after night has not made them less assured, only
more certain that this time the victory will be theirs.
I m willing, Neville said with more confidence than he felt, and I m sure the others are, too. Stephen
and Eddie, how about you taking the starboard? Lady Cheshire and I shall man port.
Starboard, Ra commented with a slight, thoughtful smile. What a lovely word. Now, Rashid, be ready
to loose that line and angle the sail to catch the wind. Eddie, Stephen, push us away from the bank.
The wind caught the sails almost instantly, and with unimaginable smoothness, the Boat of Millions of
Years was gliding up the sparkling waters of this impossible Nile.
Jenny stood up on the bow platform, holding the long, slender pole with which she was supposed to fend
them off obstacles and probe for the channel. What she wanted to be holding was her rifle, but Ra had so
thoroughly disapproved of her failure to follow custom that she d had to settle for propping her weapon
against the ornately painted and carved rails that bounded the platform.
After bending over them a couple of times to check the water level, Jenny began to understand that these
railings were as functional as her boots. They braced her neatly, keeping her from pitching over the side
when the wind-driven boat made one of the many unexpected jerks that left her splashed with spray.
Jenny suspected she was going to be black and blue from bumping into the rails before she got a feel for
the boat s motion. She quickly learned to listen for Ra s commands to loosen or tighten the sail, and
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