the lord steward Meruitensa. He
it is who smites every robber in this whole land; and shall I then be
robbed in his domain?"

Said Hemti, "This is the proverb which men speak: 'A poor man's name is
only his own matter.' I am he of whom you spake, even the lord steward of
whom you think." Thereon he took to him branches of green tamarisk and
scourged all his limbs, took his asses, and drave them into the pasture.
And Sekhti wept very greatly, by reason of the pain of what he had
suffered. Said Hemti, "Lift not up your voice, Sekhti, or you shall go to
the demon of silence." Sekhti answered: "You beat me, you steal my goods,
and now would take away even my voice, O demon of silence! If you will
restore my goods, then will I cease to cry out at your violence."

Sekhti stayed the whole day petitioning Hemti, but he would not give ear
unto him. And Sekhti went his way to Khenensuten to complain to the lord
steward Meruitensa. He found him coming out from the door of his house to
embark on his boat, that he might go to the judgment-hall. Sekhti said:
"Ho! turn, that I may please thy heart with this discourse. Now at this
time let one of thy followers, whom thou wilt, come to me that I may send
him to thee concerning it." The lord steward Meruitensa made his follower,
whom he chose, go straight unto him, and Sekhti sent him back with an
account of all these matters. Then the lord steward Meruitensa accused
Hemti unto the nobles who sat with him; and they said unto him: "By your
leave: As to this Sekhti of yours, let him bring a witness. Behold thou it
is our custom with our Sekhtis; witnesses come with them; behold, that is
our custom. Then it will be fitting to beat this Hemti for a trifle of
natron and a trifle of salt; if he is commanded to pay for it, he will pay
for it." But the high steward Meruitensa held his peace; for he would not
reply unto these nobles, but would reply unto the Sekhti.

Now Sekhti came to appeal to the lord steward Meruitensa, and said, "O my
lord steward, greatest of the great, guide of the needy:

When thou embarkest on the lake of truth--
Mayest thou sail upon it with a fair wind;
May thy mainsail not fly loose.
May there not be lamentation in thy cabin;
May not misfortune come after thee.
May not thy mainstays be snapped;
Mayest thou not run aground.
May not the wave seize thee;
Mayest thou not taste the impurities of the river;
Mayest thou not se