haps even more so than they did when we sailed up
the river, but their shouts are far weaker, boats follow us in smaller
numbers, and flowers are thrown from them stingily."

"Divine truth flows from thy lips, lord," replied Tutmosis. "Indeed the
people look wearied, but great heat is the cause of that.'?

"Thou speakest wisely," said the pharaoh in praise, and his face
brightened.

But Tutmosis did not believe his own words. He felt, and what was worse
the whole retinue felt, that the masses of men had grown somewhat cool
in their love for the pharaoh. Whether this came from tales of the
unfortunate illness of the sovereign, or from new intrigues, Tutmosis
knew not; he felt certain, however, that the priests had had influence
in producing that coolness.

"That is a stupid rabble," thought he, not restraining the contempt in
his heart. "A short time ago they were drowning just to look at the
face of his holiness, and today they are sparing their voices. Have
they forgotten the seventh day for rest, or the land as property?"

Immediately after his arrival at the palace the pharaoh issued an order
to assemble delegates. At the same time he commanded officials devoted
to him, and also the police, to begin an agitation against the priests
and in favor of rest on the seventh day from labor.

Soon there was a buzzing in Lower Egypt as in a beehive. The common
people claimed not only a day for repose, but payment for public labor.
Artisans in inns and on the streets abused the priests for wishing to
limit the sacred power of the pharaoh. The number of offenders
increased, but criminals would not appear before any court. Scribes
grew timid, and no one dared strike a common man, knowing that he would
avenge himself. No one brought offerings to a temple. Stones and mud
were hurled more and more frequently at the gods guarding boundaries,
and at times these gods were thrown down even. Fear fell on priests and
nomarchs as well as their adherents. In vain did judges announce on the
highroads and squares that, according to ancient laws, laborers,
artisans, and even merchants were not to busy themselves with politics
which withdrew them from bread-giving labor. The crowd, amid shouts and
laughter, hurled rotten vegetables and date skins at heralds.

Meanwhile the most powerful gathered at the palace, and, prostrate
before the pharaoh, begged for deliverance.

"We are," cried they, "as if the ground were opening under us, and a