y.

Courier after courier flew from the palace to Memphis to learn what had
happened during the eclipse. But the couriers did not return, and
uncertainty spread its black wings above the retinue of the pharaoh. No
one doubted that something evil had happened at the temple of Ptah.
More than that, no man dared to draw his own conclusions. It seemed as
though the pharaoh and his intimate counselors were glad when a minute
passed without tidings. Meanwhile Queen Niort's sat down at the
pharaoh's side, and whispered,

"Let me act, Ramses. Women have served this state more than once. Only
remember Queen Niort's in the sixth dynasty, or Makara who created a
fleet on the Red Sea. In our sex there is no lack of mind or of energy,
so let me act. If the temple of Ptah is not taken, and the priests are
not wronged I will reconcile thee with Herhor. Thou wilt take his
daughter as wife, and thy reign will be full of glory. Remember that
thy grandfather, the holy Amenhotep, was also a high priest and a
viceroy of the pharaoh, and Thou thyself, who knows if Thou wouldst be
reigning today, had the holy order of the priests not desired to have
its own blood on the throne. Art thou, too, not obliged to them for
dominion?"

The pharaoh as he listened to her, thought all the time that the wisdom
of the priests was an immense power, and the struggle with them
difficult.

Only about three in the afternoon did the first courier arrive from
Memphis, an adjutant of the regiment which had been stationed at the
temple. He informed the sovereign that the temple had not been taken
because of the anger of the gods; that the people had fled, that the
priests were triumphant, and that even in the army disorder had arisen
during that brief but terrible darkness.

Then, taking Tutmosis aside, the adjutant declared to him directly that
the troops were demoralized; that, because they had fled in a panic, as
many were wounded and killed as in a battle.

"What is happening now with the troops?" inquired Tutmosis in
consternation.

"Of course," replied the adjutant, "we were able to rally the men and
bring them to order. But we cannot even speak of using them against the
temples, especially now when they are occupied with caring for the
wounded. At present a warrior is ready to fall to the earth before a
shaven head and a panther skin; a long time will pass before any one
will dare to cross a sacred gateway."

"But what are the priests doing?"