ll
the generals, civil officials, and a majority of the younger priests.

The eagle glance of the pharaoh saw in one instant this division of
dignitaries, and in the heart of the young sovereign joyous pride was
kindled.

"And here I have gained a victory without drawing my sword," thought
Ramses.

The dignitaries drew away farther and more distinctly from Herhor and
Mefres, for no one doubted that the two high priests, till then the
most powerful persons in the state, had ceased to possess the favor of
the new pharaoh.

Now the sovereign went to the hall of refection, where he was
astonished first of all by the multitude of serving priests and the
number of the dishes.

"Have I to eat all this?" inquired he, without hiding his amazement.

The priest who inspected the kitchen explained to the pharaoh that the
dishes not used by his holiness went as offerings to the dynasty. And
while speaking he indicated the statues placed in line along the hall.

Ramses gazed at the statues, which looked as if no one had made them an
offering; next at the priests, who were as fresh of complexion as if
they had eaten everything presented; then he asked for beer, also the
bread used by warriors, and garlic.

The elder priest was astonished, but he repeated the order to the
younger one. The younger hesitated, but repeated the command to the
serving men and women. The servants at the first moment did not believe
their own ears, but a quarter of an hour later they returned terrified,
and whispered to the priests that there was no warriors' bread nor
garlic.

The pharaoh smiled and gave command that from that day forth there
should not be a lack of simple food in his kitchen. Then he ate a
pigeon, a morsel of wheaten cake, and drank some wine.

He confessed in spirit that the food was well prepared and the wine
exquisite. He could not free himself from the thought, however, that
the court kitchen must swallow immense sums of money.

Having burnt incense to his ancestors, the pharaoh betook himself to
his cabinet to hear reports from ministers.

Herhor came first. He bent down before his lord much lower than he had
when greeting him, and congratulated Ramses on his victory at the Soda
Lakes with great enthusiasm.

"Thou didst rush," said he, "holiness, on the Libyans like Typhon on
the miserable tents of wanderers through the desert. Thou hast won a
great battle with very small losses, and with one blow of thy divine
sword