om below. "We wish to see if ye are
forging treason against the pharaoh."

"My son," replied Herhor, "fall on thy face and implore the gods to
forgive thee thy sacrilege."

"Ask Thou the gods to shield thee!" cried the leader of the band, and
taking a stone he threw it toward the high priest.

At the same time, from a window of the pylon shot out a small stream
which seemed to be water, and which struck the giant's face. The bandit
tottered, threw up his hands, and fell.

Those nearest him gave out a cry of fear, whereupon the farther ranks,
not seeing what had happened, answered with laughter and curses.

"Break down the gate!" was heard from the end of the crowd, and a
volley of stones flew in the direction of Herhor and his retinue.

Herhor raised both hands, and when the crowd had grown silent again the
high priest shouted,

"O gods! into your protection I give these sacred retreats, against
which blasphemers and traitors are advancing!"

A moment later, somewhere above the temple, an unearthly voice was
heard,

"I turn my face from the accursed people and may darkness fall on the
earth."

Then a dreadful thing happened: as the voice rose the sun decreased,
'and with the last word there was darkness as at night. Stars began to
shine in the heavens; instead of the sun was a black disk surrounded
with a thin hoop of flame.

An immense cry was rent from a hundred thousand breasts. Those who were
storming the gate threw down their beams; common people fell to the
earth.

"Oh, the day of punishment and death has come!" cried a shrill voice at
the end of the street.

"O gods of mercy! O holy men, ward off this terror!" cried the crowd.

"WOE TO ARMIES WHICH CARRY OUT THE ORDERS OF GODLESS COMMANDERS!" cried
a great voice from the temple.

In answer all the people fell on their faces, and confusion rose in the
two regiments standing before the temple. The ranks broke, warriors
threw down their weapons and ran toward the river insensate. Some,
rushing like blind men, knocked against the walls of houses in the
darkness; others fell to the ground and were trampled to death by their
comrades. In the course of a few minutes, instead of close columns of
warriors, on the square, spears and axes lay scattered about, and at
the entrance of the streets were piles of dead and wounded.

"O gods! O gods!" groaned and cried the people, "take pity on the
innocent."

"Osiris!" cried Herhor from the terrace, "have co