ys, but they knew how to build huts,
they had fire, and they used stones and clubs in fighting.

"There were no horses in those days, nor bulls; while elephants,
rhinoceroses and lions were three or even four times as large as those
beasts are in our time.

"But enormous elephants were not the first creatures. Before them lived
immense reptiles: flying, swimming, and walking. Earlier than the
reptiles in this world there were only snails and fish, and before them
only plants, but plants such as exist not at present."

"And still earlier?" inquired Ramses.

"Still earlier the earth was empty and void, and the spirit of God
moved over the waters."

"I have heard something of this," said Ramses, "but I shall not believe
it till Thou show me mummies of monsters which, as Thou sayst, are in
thy temple."

"With permission, holiness, I will finish what I have begun," said
Samentu. "When I saw that immense body in the cave at Sinai fear seized
me, and for two years or more I entered no cave of any kind. But when
priests of Set explained to me the origin of such wonderful creatures
my alarm vanished and curiosity rose up in place of it. I have no
pleasanter amusement today than to wander in subterranean places and
search for ways amid darkness. For this reason the labyrinth will not
cause me more trouble than a walk through the pharaoh's garden."

"Samentu," said the sovereign, "I esteem thy marvelous daring and thy
wisdom; Thou hast told me so many curious things that indeed I myself
have conceived a wish to examine caves, and some time I will even go
with thee to Sinai. Still I have fears as to thy conquest of the
labyrinth, and in every event I will summon an assembly of Egyptians to
empower me to use its treasures."

"That will do no harm," replied the priest. "But none the less will my
labor be needed, since Mefres and Herhor will never consent to yield
the treasure."

"And art Thou sure of success?" inquired Ramses persistently.

"Since Egypt is Egypt," said Samentu, "there has not been a man who had
such means to win victory as I have. This encounter is for me not even
a struggle, but an amusement. Darkness terrifies some men; I love
darkness and can even see in the midst of it. Others are unable to
guide themselves among the numerous chambers and corridors; I shall do
that very easily. Besides, the secrets of opening hidden doors are
unknown to other men, while I know them thoroughly.

"Had I nothing beyond