give them the opportunity of
escaping if they saw fit, and hiding themselves where they would. But as
I have often noted, the trade of hunting breeds honesty in the blood
and at the hour appointed all of these men appeared, one of them with
a woman who carried a child in her arms, clinging to him and weeping
bitterly. When her veil slipped aside I saw that she was young and very
fair to look on.

So at noon we left the city of the Great King in the charge of two of
his officers who brought me his thanks for the bow I had sent him, which
he said he should treasure above everything he possessed, a saying
at which Bes rolled his yellow eyes and grinned. We were mounted on
splendid stallions from the royal stables and clad in the shirts of mail
that had been presented to us, though when we were clear of the city
we took these off because of the heat, also because that which Bes wore
chafed him, being too long for his squat shape. Our goods together with
the bags of gold were laden on sumpter horses which were led by my six
hunter slaves. Four picked soldiers brought up the rear, mighty men from
the King's own bodyguard, and two of the royal postmen who served us as
guides. Also there were cooks and grooms with spare horses.

Thus we started in state and a great crowd watched us go. Our road ran
by the river which we must cross in barges lower down, so that in a
few minutes we came to that quay whither I had been led on the previous
night to die. Yes, there were the watching guards, and there floated the
hateful double boat, at the prow of which appeared the tortured face of
the eunuch Houman, who rolled his head from side to side to rid himself
of the torment of the flies. He caught sight of us and began to scream
for pity and forgiveness, whereat Bes smiled. The officers halted our
cavalcade and one of them approaching me said,

"It is the King's command, O Lord Shabaka, that you should look upon
this villain who traduced you to the King and afterwards dared to strike
you. If you will, enter the water and blind him, that your face may be
the last thing he sees before he passes into darkness."

I shook my head, but Bes into whose mind some thought had come,
whispered to me,

"I wish to speak with yonder eunuch, so give me leave and fear nothing.
I will do him no hurt, only good, if I find the chance."

Then I said to the officer,

"It is not for great lords to avenge themselves upon the fallen. Yet my
slave here