r an army
could be gathered to rescue us, and be given into the power of that vile
and wicked man, the murderer of the good god, my father. Better that
I should die fighting in the streets, for then at least I shall pass
undefiled to join him in his eternal habitation beyond the sun. We march
at midnight."

So they bowed beneath her word, and made ready while the women of his
household raised a death-wail for Pharaoh, and criers standing on the
high towers proclaimed the accession of Neter-Tua, Morning-Star of Amen,
Glorious in Ra, Hathor, Strong in Beauty, as sole Lord and Sovereign of
the North and South, and of Egypt's subject lands. Again and again they
proclaimed it, and of the multitudes who listened some cheered, but the
most remained silent, fearing the vengeance of their Prince, whom the
heralds summoned to do homage, but who made no sign.

Night came at last. At a signal the gates were opened, and through them,
borne upon the shoulders of his Councillors, preceded by a small body
of guards, and followed by his women and household, went the remains of
Pharaoh, in a coffin roughly fashioned from the sycamore timbers of the
temple. With solemn step and slow, they went as though they feared no
harm, the priests and singers chanting some ancient, funeral hymn. Next
followed the baggage bearers, and after these the royal bodyguard in the
midst of whom the Queen, clad in mail, as a man, rode in a chariot, and
with her the waiting-lady, Asti, wife of Mermes.

At first all went well, for the great square in front of the temple was
empty. The procession of the body of Pharaoh passed it, and vanished
down the street that led to the main gate, a mile away. Now the guard
formed into line to enter this street also, when suddenly, barring the
mouth of it, appeared great companies of men who had been hidden in
other streets.

A voice cried "Halt!" and while the guards re-shaped themselves into a
square about the person of the Queen, an embassy of officers, among whom
were recognised the four lawful sons of Abi, advanced and demanded in
the Prince's name that her Majesty should be given over to them,
saying that she would be treated with all honour, and that those who
accompanied her might go free.

"Answer that the Queen of Egypt does not yield herself into the hands of
rebels, and of murderers; then fall on them, and slay them all," cried
Neter-Tua when Mermes, her captain, had given her this message.

So he went forw