ch ruling his tribe. When a messenger went or came to the
palace, he turned aside from the way to come to me; for I helped every
man. I gave water to the thirsty, I set on his way him who went astray,
and I rescued the robbed. The Sati who went far, to strike and turn back
the princes of other lands, I ordained their goings; for the Prince of the
Tenu for many years appointed me to be general of his soldiers. In every
land which I attacked I played the champion, I took the cattle, I led away
the vassals, I carried off the slaves, I slew the people, by my sword, my
bow, my marches and my good devices. I was excellent to the heart of my
prince; he loved me when he knew my power, and set me over his children
when he saw the strength of my arms.

A champion of the Tenu came to defy me in my tent: a bold man without
equal, for he had vanquished the whole country. He said, "Let Sanehat
fight with me"; for he desired to overthrow me; he thought to take my
cattle for his tribe. The prince counselled with me. I said: "I know him
not. I certainly am not of his degree, I hold me far from his place. Have
I ever opened his door, or leaped over his fence? It is some envious
jealousy from seeing me; does he think that I am like some steer among the
cows, whom the bull overthrows? If this is a wretch who thinks to enrich
himself at my cost, not a Bedawi and a Bedawi fit for fight, then let us
put the matter to judgment. Verily a true bull loves battle, but a
vainglorious bull turns his back for fear of contest; if he has a heart
for combat, let him speak what he pleases. Will God forget what he has
ordained, and how shall that be known?" I lay down; and when I had rested
I strung my bow, I made ready my arrows, I loosened my poniard, I
furbished my arms. At dawn the land of the Tenu came together; it had
gathered its tribes and called all the neighboring people, it spake of
nothing but the fight. Each heart burnt for me, men and women crying out;
for each heart was troubled for me, and they said: "Is there another
strong one who would fight with him? Behold the adversary has a buckler, a
battle-axe, and an armful of javelins." Then I drew him to the attack; I
turned aside his arrows, and they struck the ground in vain. One drew near
to the other, and he fell on me, and then I shot him. My arrow fastened in
his neck, he cried out, and fell on his face: I drove his lance into him,
and raised my shout of victory on his back. While all the m