be allowed to depart as their
prophets demanded, and go whither they would unharmed. Of the attack
upon us in the pass he made light, saying it was the evil work of a few
zealots wrought on by fancied insult to their god, a deed for which the
whole people should not be called upon to suffer. The last words of the
report were:

"Remember, O Pharaoh, I pray thee, that Amon, god of the Egyptians,
and Jahveh, the god of the Israelites, cannot rule together in the same
land. If both abide in Egypt there will be a war of the gods wherein
mortals may be ground to dust. Therefore, I pray thee, let Israel go."

After I had risen and was recovered, I copied out this report in my
fairest writing, refusing to tell any of its purport, although all
asked, among them the Vizier Nehesi, who offered me a bribe to disclose
its secret. This came to the ears of Seti, I know not how, and he was
much pleased with me about the matter, saying he rejoiced to find that
there was one scribe in Egypt who could not be bought. Userti also
questioned me, and when I refused to answer, strange to say, was not
angry, because, she declared, I only did my duty.

At last the roll was finished and sealed, and the Prince with his own
hand, but without speaking, laid it on the knees of Pharaoh at a public
Court, for this he would trust no one else to do. Amenmeses also brought
up his report, as did Nehesi the Vizier, and the Captain of the guard
which saved us from death. Eight days later the Prince was summoned to a
great Council of State, as were all others of the royal House, together
with the high officers. I too received a summons, as one who had been
concerned in these matters.

The Prince, accompanied by the Princess, drove to the palace in
Pharaoh's golden chariot, drawn by two milk-white horses of the blood of
those famous steeds that had saved the life of the great Rameses in the
Syrian war. All down the streets, that were filled with thousands of the
people, they were received with shouts of welcome.

"See," said the old councillor Bakenkhonsu, who was my companion in a
second chariot, "Egypt is proud and glad. It thought that its Prince was
but a dreamer of dreams. But now it has heard the tale of the ambush in
the pass and learned that he is a man of war, a warrior who can fight
with the best. Therefore it loves him and rejoices."

"Then, by the same rule, Bakenkhonsu, a butcher should be more great
than the wisest of scribes."

"So he i