best to follow the counsel of
those who can think of something; also to hunt rather than to be hunted.
Especially is this so if that something comes from the holy Tanofir or
his broken Cup. Generals, you have heard. Rouse the host and bid them
stand to their arms company by company!"

The generals leapt away into the darkness like arrows from a bow, and
presently we heard the noise of gathering men.

"Where are these guides of yours, holy Tanofir?" asked Bes.

Tanofir beckoned over his shoulder, and out of the gloom, one by one,
four men stole into the tent. They were strange, quiet men, but I can
say no more of them since their faces were veiled, nor as it chances,
did I ever see any of them after the battle, in which I suppose that
they were killed. Or perhaps they appeared after--well, never mind!

"You have heard," said Tanofir, whereupon all four of them bowed their
mysterious veiled heads.

"Now, my Brother," whispered Bes into my ear, "tell me, I pray you, how
did four men who were not in the tent, hear what was said in this tent,
and how did they come through the guards who have orders to kill anyone
who does not know the countersign, especially men whose faces are
wrapped in napkins?"

"I do not know," I answered, whereon Bes groaned, only Karema smiled a
little as though to herself.

"Then, having heard, obey," said the holy Tanofir, whereon the four
veiled ones bowed again.

"Will you not give them their orders, O most Venerable?" inquired Bes
doubtfully.

"I think it is needless," said Tanofir in a dry voice. "Why try to teach
those who know?"

"Will you not offer them something to eat, since they also must be
hungry?" I asked of Karema.

"Fool, be silent," she replied, looking on me with contempt. "Do
the--friends--of Tanofir need to eat?"

"I should have thought so after being beleaguered for a month in a
starving town. If the master wants to eat, why should not his men?" I
murmured.

Then a thought struck me and I was silent.

A general returned and reported that the orders had been executed and
that all the army was afoot.

"Good," said Bes. "Then start forthwith with five thousand men, and burn
those ships, according to the plan laid down by the Queen Karema, which
you heard her speak but now," and he named certain regiments that he
should take with him, those of the general's own command, adding: "Save
some of the ships if you can, and afterwards cross the Nile in them with
your m