hou and I, with death, with shame, even with insult to our
corpses. It is possible to fondle a lion, to buy a Phoenician, to win
the attachment of a Libyan and an Ethiopian. It is possible to win
favor from a Chaldean priest, for he, like an eagle, soars above
heights and is safe from missiles. But an Egyptian prophet who has
tried power and luxury Thou wilt win with nothing, only his death or
thine can end the conflict."

"Samentu speaks truth," said Tutmosis. "Happily not his holiness, but
we, the warriors, will decide the ancient struggle between the priests
and the pharaoh."

CHAPTER LXIII

On Paofi 12 alarming news went forth from various Egyptian temples.
During a few preceding days an altar was overturned in the temple of
Horus; in the temple of Isis a statue of the goddess shed tears. In the
temple of Amon at Thebes, and from the tomb of Osiris in Dendera, omens
of much evil were given. The priests inferred from infallible signs
that some dreadful misfortune would threaten Egypt before the month had
ended. Hence Herhor and Mefres, the high priests, commanded processions
around the temples and sacrifice in houses.

On Paofi 13 there was a great procession in Memphis: the god Ptah
issued from his temple, and the goddess Isis from hers. Both divinities
moved toward the centre of the city with a very small assembly of
believers, mainly women. But they were forced to withdraw, for
Egyptians reviled them and foreigners went so far as to hurl stones at
the sacred boats of the divinities.

In presence of these abuses the police bore themselves with
indifference, some of them even took part in unseemly jests. During the
afternoon unknown persons told the crowd that the priests would not
permit relief to be given the people and desired a rebellion against
the pharaoh.

Toward evening laborers gathered in crowds at the temples, where they
hissed the priests and abused them. Meanwhile stones were hurled at the
gate, and some criminals openly beat off the nose of Horus who was on
guard at his own entrance.

A couple of hours after sunset the high priests and their most faithful
adherents assembled in the temple of Ptah. The worthy Herhor was there;
so were Mefres, Mentezufis, three nomarchs, and the highest judge.

"Terrible times!" said the judge, "I know to a certainty that the
pharaoh wishes to rouse a rabble to attack temples."

"I have heard," said the nomarch of Sebes, "that an order has been sent
to Ni