f
Asia may know that I am gracious, I designate Kama five talents for
games, in honor of Astaroth, and a costly goblet for her temple. This
gift will be received today by thee."

He dismissed the priestess with a motion of his head.

After her departure a new wave of thought mastered him.

"Indeed, the Phoenicians are clever. If this, my living picture, is a
man, they can make of him a great present to me, and I shall perform at
times miracles such, perhaps, as have never been heard of in Egypt. The
pharaoh dwells in Memphis, and at the same time he shows himself in
Thebes or in Tanis. The pharaoh is marching on Babylon with an army,
the Assyrians assemble their main forces there, and simultaneously the
pharaoh, with another army, captures Nineveh, I judge that the
Assyrians would be greatly astounded by an event of that sort."

And again deep hatred was roused in him against the strong Asiatics;
again he saw his conquering chariot sweeping over a battlefield covered
with Assyrian corpses, and whole baskets of severed hands stood before
him.

For his soul war had become now as great a need as bread is for the
body. For not only could he enrich Egypt by it, fill the treasury, and
win glory to last through ages, but, besides, he might satisfy the
instinct hitherto unknown, but roused mightily at that moment, to
destroy Assyria.

Until he had seen those warriors with shaggy beards he had not thought
of them. That day they had met him and made the world seem so small
that one side must give way, r they or he.

What role had Hiram and Kama played in creating his present frame of
mind? Of this he had made no estimate. He felt only that he must have
war with Assyria, just as a bird of passage feels that in the mouth
Pachons it must go northward.

A passion for war seized the prince quickly. He spoke less, laughed
more rarely, sat in thoughtfulness at feasts, and also spent his time
oftener and oftener with the army and the aristocracy. Seeing the favor
which the heir showered on those who bore arms, the noble youth, and
even older men, began to join regiments. This attracted the attention
of the holy Mentezufis, who sent a letter to Herhor with the following
contents:

"From the time that the Assyrians have arrived at Pi-Bast the heir is
feverish, and his court is inclined toward war very greatly. They drink
and play dice as before; but all have thrown aside robes and wigs, and,
disregarding the awful heat, go abou