The Story of the Amulet · Chapter
The Fight in the Village explained
The children find themselves stranded in ancient Egypt after a dangerous battle, but manage to escape back to their own time through the Amulet.
What happens
The children find themselves stranded in ancient Egypt after a dangerous battle, but manage to escape back to their own time through the Amulet. They return to Regent's Park at the same moment they left, and later Anthea recounts the adventure to the learned gentleman, who dismisses it as a trick of his mind.
Themes in this chapter
Courage and Personal Growth
The children face a dangerous fight in ancient Egypt and must rely on their wits and the Amulet to escape.
Magic and the Ordinary
The Amulet's time-travel magic contrasts sharply with the mundane reality of Regent's Park and the learned gentleman's skepticism.
Characters to notice
- Anthea
Anthea takes charge after the escape, carrying dinner to the learned gentleman and recounting the adventure.
- Cyril
Cyril leads the escape through the Amulet arch and later defends the children against accusations of being spies.
- Jane
Jane holds up the Amulet to activate the escape, and later tries not to cry when stranded.
- Robert
Robert follows Jane through the arch and loads a toy pistol as a weapon.
- The Psammead
The Psammead explains that the children returned at the same time they left, and later deserts them in the past.
- The Learned Gentleman
The learned gentleman listens to Anthea's story and dismisses it as a hallucination.
Key passages
“Here is their Amulet," cried a harsh, strange voice; "it is this that makes them strong to fight and brave to die.”
A harsh voice declares that the Amulet gives the children strength and bravery in battle.
The enemy recognizes the Amulet's power.
“You come back through the charm-arch at the same time as you go through it. This isn't tomorrow!”
The Psammead explains that the arch returns them to the exact moment they left.
The Psammead clarifies the mechanics of time travel.