near by every field, every village, and every street of the city of
Sochem. Finally I have shown thee the officials; it is true, the very
lowest were absent. But command and all will stand before thee to-
morrow and fall on their faces. What am I to do more? Tell me, most
worthy lord."

"I believe that Thou art most faithful," answered Ramses. "Therefore
explain to me two things: first, why has the income of his holiness
diminished? second, what art Thou doing thyself in the province?"

Otoes was confused, and the prince added quickly,

"I wish to know what Thou art doing here, and by what methods, since I
am young and only commencing to govern."

"Thou hast the wisdom of a century," whispered the nomarch.

"Therefore it is proper," continued the prince, "that I should ask men
of experience and that Thou shouldst give me knowledge."

"I will show thee all, and give every explanation," said Otoes. "But we
should go to a place where there is no uproar."

In fact, in the palace which the prince occupied as many people
thronged in the inner and outer court as at a fair. They ate, drank,
sang, raced or rested, and all this to enhance the glory of the viceroy
whom they were serving.

About three in the afternoon, the nomarch gave command to bring two
horses, and with the prince he rode forth from the city westward. The
court remained in the palace and amused itself with still greater
gladness.

The day was beautiful, cool; the earth was covered with plants and
flowers. Over the beads of the horsemen were heard the songs of birds,
the air was full of fragrance.

"How pleasant it is here!" exclaimed Ramses. "Now I am able to collect
ray thoughts for the first time in a month. I had begun to think that a
whole regiment of chariots had assembled in my head, and that from
morning till evening reviews were held there."

"Such is the fate of a ruler in this world," said the nomarch.

They halted on an eminence. At their feet lay an immense meadow, cut
through by a blue stream. On the north and on the south were white
walls of towns; beyond the meadow on the rim of the horizon extended
the reddish sands of the western desert, from which came an occasional
breath of heated air, as if from a furnace.

On the meadow were countless herds of animals, horned and hornless
oxen, sheep, goats, asses, antelopes, even rhinoceroses.

Here and there were visible swampy places covered with water plants and
reeds in which were teem