nd the nomarchs are
counseling!"

"Open, or we will break the gate!"

"A wonderful thing," said people from afar; "the birds are going to
sleep. But it is only midday."

"Something evil has happened in the air!"

"O gods, night is coming, and I have not pulled salad for dinner," said
some girl.

But these remarks were drowned by the uproar of the drunken band, and
the noise of beams striking the bronze gate of the temple. If the crowd
had been less occupied with the violent deeds of the attackers, they
would have seen that something unusual was happening in nature. The sun
was shining, there was not one cloud in the sky, and still the
brightness of the day had begun to decrease and there was a breath of
coolness.

"Give us another beam!" cried the attackers of the temple. "The gate is
giving way!"

"Powerfully! Once more!"

The crowd looking on roared like a tempest. Here and there men began to
separate from the throng and join the attackers. At last a whole mass
of people pushed slowly toward the temple.

Though but just past midday, gloom increased. In the gardens of the
temple the cocks began to crow. But the rage of the throng was so great
now that few noticed the change.

"Look ye!" cried some beggar. "Behold the day of judgment is coming O
gods."

He wished to speak on, but struck on the head by a club he fell
prostrate.

On the walls of the temple naked but armed figures began to climb up.
Officers called the warriors to arms, certain that soon they would have
to support the attack of the multitude.

"What does this mean?" whispered warriors, looking at the sky. "There
is not a cloud, still the world looks as it does in the time of a
tempest."

"Strike! break!" shouted men near the temple.

The sound of beams was more and more frequent.

At that moment on the terrace above the gate appeared Herhor. He was
surrounded by a retinue of priests and civil dignitaries. The most
worthy high priest was in a golden robe, and wore the cap of Amenhotep
with its regal serpent.

Herhor looked at the enormous masses of people who surrounded the
temple, and bending toward the band of stormers, he said to them,

"Whoever ye are, right believers or unbelievers, leave this temple in
peace, in the name of the gods I summon you."

The uproar of the people ceased suddenly, and only the pounding of the
beams against the bronze gate was audible. But soon even that ceased.

"Open the gate!" cried the giant fr