his learning." And they did all
things as his Majesty commanded.

Hordedef's Tale

The royal son Hordedef then stood forth and spake. He said: "Hitherto hast
thou only heard tokens of those who have gone before, and of which no man
knoweth their truth. But I will show thy Majesty a man of thine own days."
And his Majesty said, "Who is he, Hordedef?" And the royal son Hordedef
answered, "It is a certain man named Dedi, who dwells at Dedsneferu. He is
a man of 110 years old; and he eats 500 loaves of bread and a side of
beef, and drinks 100 draughts of beer, unto this day. He knows how to
restore the head that is smitten off; he knows how to cause the lion to
follow him trailing his halter on the ground; he knows the designs of the
dwelling of Tahuti. The majesty of the King of Upper and Lower Egypt,
Khufu, the blessed, has long sought for the designs of the dwelling of
Tahuti, that he may make the like of them in his pyramid."

And his Majesty said, "Thou, thyself, Hordedef, my son, bring him to me."
Then were the ships made ready for the King's son Hordedef, and he went up
the stream to Dedsneferu. And when the ships had moored at the haven, he
landed, and sat him in a litter of ebony, the poles of which were of cedar
wood overlaid with gold. Now when he drew near to Dedi, they set down the
litter. And he arose to greet Dedi, and found him lying on a palmstick
couch at the door of his house; one servant held his head and rubbed him,
and another rubbed his feet.

And the King's son Hordedef said, "Thy state is that of one who lives to
good old age; for old age is the end of our voyage, the time of embalming,
the time of burial. Lie, then, in the sun, free of infirmities, without
the babble of dotage: this is the salutation to worthy age. I come from
far to call thee, with a message from my father Khufu, the blessed, for
thou shalt eat of the best which the King gives, and of the food which
those have who follow after him; that he may bring thee in good estate to
thy fathers who are in the tomb."

And Dedi replied to him: "Peace to thee! Peace to thee! Hordedef, son of
the King, beloved of his father. May thy father Khufu, the blessed, praise
thee, may he advance thee among the elders, may thy _ka_ prevail against
the enemy, may thy soul know the right road to the gate of him who clothes
the afflicted; this is the salutation to the King's son." Then the King's
son, Hordedef, stretched forth his hands to him, and