s Pharaoh reached Memphis and in
the vast temple of Amen laid down our spoils in the presence of the god,
thousands of right hands hewn from the fallen, thousands of swords and
other weapons and tens of chariots, together with much treasure of which
a portion was given to the god. The high priests blessed us in the name
of Amen and of the other gods; the people blessed us and threw flowers
in our path; all the land rejoiced because once more it was free.

There too that day in the temple with ancient form and ceremonial Peroa
was crowned Pharaoh of Egypt. Sceptres and jewels that had been hid
for generations were brought out by those who knew the secret of their
hiding-places; the crowns that had been worn by old Pharaohs, were set
upon his head; yes, the double crown of the Upper and the Lower Land.
Thus in a Memphis mad with joy at the casting off of the foreign yoke,
he was anointed the first of a new dynasty, and with him his queen.

I too received honours, for the story of the slaying of Idernes at
my hands and of how I held the pass had gone abroad, so that next to
Pharaoh, I was looked upon as the greatest man in Egypt. Nor was Bes
forgotten, since many of the common people thought that he was a
spirit in the form of a dwarf whom the gods had sent to aid us with his
strength and cunning. Indeed at the close of the ceremony voices cried
out in the multitude of watchers, demanding that I who was to marry the
Royal Lady of Egypt should be named next in succession to the throne.

The Pharaoh heard and glanced first at his son and then at me,
doubtfully, whereon, covered with confusion, I slipped away.

The portico of the temple was deserted, since all, even the guards, had
crowded into the vast court to watch the coronation. Only in the shadow,
seated against the pedestal of one of the two colossal statues in front
of the outer pylon gate and looking very small beneath its greatness,
was a man wrapped in a dark cloak whom noting vaguely I took to be a
beggar. As I passed him, he plucked at my robe, and I stopped to search
for something to give to him but could find naught.

"I have nothing, Father," I said laughing, "except the gold hilt of my
sword."

"Do not part with that, Son," answered a deep voice, "for I think you
will need it before all is over."

Then while I stared at him he threw back his hood and I saw that
beneath was the ancient withered face and the long white beard of my
great-uncle, the holy T