their work, but as
mildly as possible. And this very day Pentuer will assemble his
council."

"In truth," added he, after a time, "it is easier to make a decision in
battle than in the disorder which has mastered Egypt."

When the supreme judge had departed, the pharaoh summoned Tutmosis. He
directed him to salute in the name of the sovereign the army returning
from the Soda Lakes, and to distribute twenty talents among the
officers and warriors.

Then he commanded Pentuer to come; meanwhile he received the chief
treasurer.

"I wish to know," said he, "what the condition of the treasury is."

"We have," replied the dignitary, "at this moment twenty thousand
talents of value in the granaries, stables, storehouses, and chests,
while taxes are coming in daily."

"But insurrections are breaking out daily," added the pharaoh. "What is
our general income and outgo?"

"On the army we expend yearly twenty thousand talents; on the court two
to three thousand talents monthly."

"Well, what further? And public works?"

"At present they are carried on without expense," said the treasurer,
dropping his head.

"And the income?"

"We have as much as we expend," whispered the official.

"Then we have forty or fifty thousand talents yearly. And where is the
rest?"

"Mortgaged to the Phoenicians, to certain bankers, to merchants, and to
the temples."

"Well, but there is besides the inviolable treasure of the pharaohs in
gold, platinum, and jewels; how much is that worth?"

"That was taken and distributed ten years ago."

"For what purpose? To whom?"

"For the needs of the court, in gifts to nomarchs and to temples."

"The court had incomes from current taxes. But could presents exhaust
the treasury of my father?"

"Osiris Ramses, thy father, holiness, was a bountiful lord and made
great offerings."

"Is it possible? Were they so great? I wish to know about this," said
the pharaoh, impatiently.

"Exact accounts are in the archives; I remember only general figures."

"Speak!"

"For example," answered the treasurer, hesitatingly, "Osiris Ramses in
the course of his happy reign gave to the temples about one hundred
towns, one hundred and twenty ships, two million head of cattle, two
million bags of wheat, one hundred and twenty thousand horses, eighty
thousand slaves, two hundred thousand kegs of beer and wine, three
million loaves of bread, thirty thousand garments, thirty thousand
vessels of honey, olives,