Pharaoh cast out the word
'surrender' from his tongue. Wilt thou restore it and use it first in
this short-lived conflict with a mongrel race of shepherds? Nay, if
thou dost give over now, it shall not be an injustice to thee if it
come to pass that thou shalt bow to a brickmaker as thy sovereign,
sacrifice to the Immaterial God and swear by the beard of Abraham!"

Meneptah winced under the acrid reproach of his son.

"It hath ever been mine intent to keep the Hebrews, but I would not act
unadvised," he explained apologetically.

"Wherefore, then, these frequent consultations with the wolf from
Midian?" was the quick retort. "Thou art unskilled in the ways of war,
my father. The king who would conquer treats not with his enemy. Thou
dost risk the respect of thy realm for thee. Strengthen thy
fortifications and exhaust the cunning of thy besieger. And if he
invade thy lines again with insolence and threats, treat him to the
sword or the halter. If thou art a warrior, prove thy deserts to the
name. And if Egypt backs thee not in thy stand against the Hebrew,
then it is not the same Egypt that followed Rameses the Great to glory!"

The king put up his hand.

"Enough! They shall not go; they shall not go!"

CHAPTER XXXI

THE CONSPIRACY

One morning early in March Seti stood beside the parapet on the palace
of the king in Tanis. His eyes were fixed on the shimmering line of
the northern level, but he did not see it. Some one came with silent
footfall and laid a hand on his arm.

He turned and looked into Ta-user's eyes. His face softened and he
took the hand between his own.

"Alas! this day thou returnest into the Hak-heb," he said.

She nodded. "Would I could take thee with me, but not yet, not yet.
Wait till thou art a little older."

He sighed and looked away again. "What weighty things absorb my
prince?" she asked. "What especial labors is he planning?"

His face clouded. "Dost thou mock me, Ta-user?" he returned.

"Hadst thou no thought at all?" she persisted.

"I merely pondered on mine own uselessness," he answered.

"Fie!"

"Nay, even thou must see it. I live on my father's bounty; I accept my
people's homage; I adore the gods. I bear no arms; I neither prepare
to reign nor expect to serve. I am a thing set above the healthy labor
of the world and below the cares of the exalted. I am nothing."

"Fie! I say."

Seti looked at her reproachfully.

"Thou hast wealth,"