d Mefres, had shut
themselves up in the temple of Ptah. The army was full of hope, and the
people excited. All were blessing the pharaoh, and waiting the order to
move on the temple.

When the fourth courier came about nine, and repeated the same words,
the pharaoh was frowning.

"What are they waiting for?" asked he. "Let them attack immediately."

The courier answered that the chief band which was to attack and batter
down the bronze gate had not arrived yet.

This explanation displeased the pharaoh. He shook his head, and sent an
officer to Memphis to hasten the attack.

"What does this delay mean?" asked he. "I thought that my army would
waken me with news of the capture of the temple. In such cases prompt
action is the condition of success."

The officer rode away, but nothing had changed at the temple of Ptah.
The people were waiting for something, but the chief band was not in
its place yet. Some other will seemed to delay the execution of the
order.

About ten the litter of Queen Niort's came to the villa occupied by the
pharaoh. The revered lady broke into her son's chamber almost with
violence, and fell at his feet, weeping.

"What dost Thou wish of me, mother?" asked Ramses, hardly hiding his
impatience. "Hast Thou forgotten that the camp is no place for women?"

"I will not leave thee today, I will not leave thee for an instant!"
exclaimed the queen. "Thou art the son of Isis, it is true, and she
surrounds thee with care. But I should die from fright."

"What threatens me?" inquired the pharaoh, shrugging his shoulders.

"The priest who investigates the stars," said she, tearfully, "declared
to a serving woman that Thou wilt live and reign a hundred years if
this day favors thee."

"Ah! Where is that man who is skilled in my fate?"

"He fled to Memphis," replied the lady.

Ramses thought a while, then he said, smiling,

"As the Libyans at the Soda Lakes hurled missiles at us, the priests
hurl threats today. Be calm, mother! Talk is less dangerous than stones
and arrows."

From Memphis a new courier rushed in with a report that all was well,
but still the main band was not ready.

On the comely face of the pharaoh appeared signs of anger. Wishing to
calm the sovereign, Tutmosis said to him,

"The people are not an army. They know not how to assemble at a given
hour; while marching they stretch out like a swamp, and obey no
commands. If the occupation of the temples were committed to reg