what I have recounted I should discover the ways
of the labyrinth in one month or in two, but I have besides a detailed
plan of those passages and I know the expressions which will lead me
from hall to hall. What then can hinder me?"

"Still doubt is concealed at the bottom of thy heart; Thou didst fear
that officer who seemed to pursue thee."

The priest shrugged his shoulders.

"I fear nothing and no man," replied he with calmness, "but I am
cautious. I provide against everything, and I am prepared even for
this, that they may seize me."

"Dreadful tortures would await thee in that case!" whispered Ramses.

"No tortures. I shall open a door directly from the subterranean
chamber of the labyrinth to the land of endless light."

"And wilt Thou not be sorry for me?"

"Why should I? I aim at a great object; I wish to occupy Herhor's
place."

"I swear that Thou shalt have it."

"Unless I perish," added Samentu. "But if I go along precipices to
mountain summits, and in that wandering my foot slips and I fall, what
does it signify? Thou, lord, wilt care for the future of my children?"

"Go forward," said Ramses. "Thou art worthy to be my foremost
assistant."

CHAPTER LVIII

AFTER leaving Abydos, Ramses XIII sailed up the Nile to the city of
Tan-ta-ren (Dendera) and Keneh, which stood nearly opposite each other:
one on the western, the other on the eastern bank of the river. At Tan-
ta-ren were two famous places: the pond in which crocodiles were
reared, and the temple of Hator, where there was a school at which were
taught medicine, sacred hymns, the methods of celebrating divine
ceremonies, finally astronomy.

The pharaoh visited both places. He was irritated when they directed
him to burn incense before the sacred crocodiles, which he considered
as foul and stupid reptiles. And when one of these in time of offering
pushed out too far and seized the sovereign's garment with its teeth,
Ramses struck it on the head with a bronze ladle so violently that the
reptile closed its eyes for a time, and spread its legs, then withdrew
and crept into the water, as if understanding that the youthful
sovereign did not wish to be familiar even with divinities.

"But have I committed sacrilege?" inquired Ramses of the high priest.

The dignitary looked around stealthily to see if any one were
listening, and answered,

"If I had known, holiness, that Thou wouldst make it an offering in
that way, I should have given