where he was, since we did not wish to strike the first blow. I
added this,

"I who speak on behalf of the Prince Peroa, am the lord Shabaka, that
same man whom but last night the Satrap and a certain captain of his
named a liar. Now the Easterns are brave men and we of Egypt have
always heard that among them none is braver than Idernes who gained his
advancement through courage and skill in war. Let him therefore come out
together with the lord who named me a liar, armed with swords only, and
I, who being a liar must also be a coward, together with my servant, a
black dwarf, will meet them man to man in the sight of both the armies,
and fight them to the death. Or if it pleases Idernes better, let him
not come and I will seek him and kill him in the battle, or by him be
killed."

The herald, having taken stock of me and of Bes at whom he laughed,
returned with the message.

"Will he come, think you, Master?" asked Bes.

"Mayhap," I answered, "since it is a shame for an Eastern to refuse
a challenge from any man whom he calls barbarian, and if he did so it
might cost him his life afterwards at the hands of the Great King. Also
if he should fall there are others to take his command, but none who can
wipe away the stain upon his honour."

"Yes," said Bes; "also they will think me a dwarf of no account, which
makes the task of killing you easy. Well, they shall see."

Now when I sent this challenge I had more in my mind than a desire to
avenge myself upon Idernes and his captain for the public shame they had
put upon me. I wished to delay the attack of their host upon our little
band and give time for the army of Peroa to come up behind. Moreover, if
I fell it did not greatly matter, except as an omen, seeing that I had
good officers under me who knew all my plans.

We saw the herald reach the Satrap's army and after a while return
towards us again, which made us think my challenge had been refused,
especially as with him was an officer who, I took it, was sent to spy
out our strength. But this was not so, for the man said,

"The Satrap Idernes has sworn by the Great King to kill the thief of the
Signet and send his head to the Great King, and fears that if he waits
to meet him in battle, he may slip away. Therefore he is minded to
accept your challenge, O Shabaka, and put an end to you, and indeed
under the laws of the East he may not refuse. But a noble of the Great
King may not fight against a black slave save