Horus.

"Did ye command them to do that?" inquired the pharaoh.

"No. They began of their own accord."

"Restrain them mildly restrain them," said Ramses. "In a few days they
may do what they like. But now let them not act with great violence."

Ramses, as a leader and victor at the Soda Lakes, knew that once men
attack in a multitude nothing has power to restrain them; they must
break or be broken. Unless the temples defend themselves the multitude
will take them; but if they defend themselves? In that case the people
will flee and there will be need to send warriors, of whom there were
many it is true, but not so many as would be needed, according to the'
pharaoh's own reckoning. Moreover, Hiram had not returned from Pi-Bast
yet with letters proving the treason of Mefres and Herhor. And what was
more important, the priests who sided with the pharaoh were to assist
the troops only on Paofi 23d. By what means then could he forewarn them
in temples which were so numerous and so distant from one another? And
did not caution itself command him to avoid relations which might
betray them?

For these reasons Ramses did not wish an earlier attack on the temples.

Meanwhile the disturbance increased in spite of the pharaoh. Near the
temple of Isis a number of pious persons were slain who predicted
misfortune to Egypt, or who had recovered their health by a miracle.
Near the temple of Ptah the multitude rushed on a procession, struck
down the priests, and broke the holy boat in which the god was
advancing. Almost at the same time messengers flew in from the cities
of Sochem and Anu with news that people were breaking into the temples,
and that in Cheran they had even broken in and desecrated the most holy
places.

Toward evening a deputation of priests came, almost by stealth, to the
palace of his holiness; the revered prophets fell at his feet, weeping,
crying out to him to defend the gods and their sanctuaries.

This altogether unexpected event filled the heart of Ramses with great
delight and still greater pride. He commanded the delegates to rise,
and answered graciously that his regiments would be always ready to
defend the temples when conducted into them.

"I have no doubt," said he, "that the rioters themselves will withdraw
when they see the dwellings of the gods occupied by the army."

The delegates hesitated.

"It is known to thee, holiness," answered the chief, "that the army may
not enter the enclosure