Pharaoh stretched out the sceptre in his hand for him to
kiss. Then he spoke in his light, quick voice.

"Welcome, Prince and my brother," he said. "We quarrelled long ago,
did we not, and many years have passed since we met, but Time heals all
wounds and--welcome, son of my father. I need not ask if you are well,"
and he glanced enviously at the great-framed man who knelt before him.

"Hail to your divine Majesty!" answered Abi in his deep voice. "Health
and strength be with you, Holder of the Scourge of Osiris, Wearer of the
Feathers of Amen, Mortal crowned with the glory of Ra."

"I thank you, Prince," answered Pharaoh gently, "and that health and
strength I need, who fear that I shall only find them when I have
yielded up the Scourge of Osiris whereof you speak to him who lent it
me. But enough of myself. Let us to business, afterwards we will talk
of such matters together. Why have you left your government at Memphis
without leave asked, to visit me here in my City of the Gates?"

"Be not wrath with me," answered Abi humbly. "A while ago, in obedience
to your divine command, I attacked the barbarians who threatened your
dominions in the desert. Like Menthu, god of war, I fell upon them.
I took them by surprise, I smote them, thousands of them bit the dust
before me. Two of their kings I captured with their women--they wait
without, to be slain by your Majesty. I bring with me the heads of
a hundred of their captains and the hands of five hundred of their
soldiers, in earnest of the truth of my word. Let them be spread out
before you. I report to your divine Majesty that those barbarians are no
more, that for a generation, at least, I have made the land safe to your
uttermost dominions in the north. Suffer that the heads and the hands be
brought in and counted out before your Majesty, that the smell of them
may rise like incense to your divine nostrils."

"No, no," said Pharaoh, "my officers shall count them without, for I
love not such sights of death, and I take your word for the number. What
payment do you ask for this service, my brother, for with great gifts
would I reward you, who have done so well for me and Egypt?"

Before he answered Abi looked at the beautiful queen, Ahura, who sat at
Pharaoh's side, and at the other royal consorts and women.

"Your Majesty," he said, "I see here many wives and ladies, but royal
children I do not see. Grant--for doubtless they are in their own
chambers--grant, O Pha