e.

"Men of the Great King," I said, "bear us witness that we have fought
fairly, man to man, when we need not have done so."

The ten of the Satrap's guard stood silent, but my own shouted,

"Back, Shabaka! The Easterns charge!"

I looked and saw them coming like waves of steel, then supported by my
men and preceded by Bes who danced in front shaking the severed heads, I
ran back to my own ranks where one gave me wine to drink and threw
water over my hurts which were but slight. Scarcely was it done when the
battle closed in and soon in it I forgot the deaths of Idernes and the
Eastern liar.

CHAPTER XIII. AMADA RETURNS TO ISIS

We fought a very terrible fight that evening there by the banks of Nile.
Our position was good, but we were outnumbered by four or five to one,
and the Easterns and their mercenaries were mad at the death of the
Satrap by my hand. Time upon time they came on furiously, charging up
the slope like wild bulls. For the most part we relied upon our archers
to drive them back, since our half-trained troops could scarcely hope to
stand against the onset of veterans disciplined in war. So taking cover
behind the rocks we rained arrows on them, shooting the horses in the
chariots, and when these were down, pouring our shafts upon the footmen
behind. Myself I took my great black bow and drew it thrice, and each
time I saw a noble fall, for no mail could withstand the arrows which it
sent, and of that art I was a master. None in Egypt could shoot so far
or so straight as I did, save perhaps Peroa himself. I had no time to do
more since always I must be moving up and down the line encouraging my
men.

Three times we drove them back, after which they grew cunning. Ceasing
from a direct onslaught and keeping what remained of their chariots in
reserve, they sent one body of men to climb along the slope of the hill
where the rocks gave them cover from our arrows, and another to creep
through the reeds and growing crops upon the bank of the river where we
could not see to shoot them well, although the slingers in the ships did
them some damage.

Thus they attacked us on either flank, and while we were thus engaged
their centre made a charge. Then came the bitterest of the fighting
for now the bows were useless, and it was sword against sword and spear
against spear. Once we broke and I thought that they were through. But
I led a charge against them and drove them back a little way. Still the
iss