onfused, which still more angered the prince, whose
lips began to tremble; and again his eyes flashed. But the Chaldean,
Istubar, understanding Egyptian, said quickly to Sargon,

"Let us fall on our faces."

"Why should I fall on my face?" inquired the indignant Sargon.

"Fall, unless Thou wish to lose the favor of King Assar, and perhaps
thy head also."

Thus speaking, Istubar lay on the floor at full length, and Sargon next
to him.

"Why should I lie on my belly before that stripling?" muttered Sargon,
indignantly.

"Because he is viceroy," answered Istubar.

"Have I not been viceroy of my lord?"

"But he will be king, and Thou wilt not."

"What are the ambassadors of the most mighty King Assar discussing?"
inquired the prince, now satisfied, of the interpreter.

"This: whether they are to show thy worthiness the gifts intended for
the pharaoh, or only to give those sent to thee," replied the dexterous
interpreter.

"I wish to see the gifts intended for his holiness my father," said the
prince, "and I permit the ambassadors to rise."

Sargon rose, purple from rage or weariness, and sat down on the floor
cross-legged.

"I knew not," said he, "that I, a relative and an ambassador of the
great Assar, should be forced to wipe with my garments dust from the
pavement of an Egyptian viceroy."

Mentezufis knew Assyrian, and commanded, without asking Ramses, to
bring immediately two benches covered with cushions, on which sat at
once the panting Sargon and the calm Istubar.

When Sargon had puffed himself quiet, he gave command to produce a
great glass goblet, a steel sword, and to lead up before the entrance
two horses decked with gold housings. When his command was obeyed he
rose and, inclining, addressed Ramses,

"My lord, King Assar sends thee, O prince, two wonderful horses, may
they bear thee only to victory! He sends also a goblet, may gladness
always flow to thy heart from it! and a sword the like of which Thou
wilt not find in the armory of the mightiest ruler."

He drew from its scabbard a rather long sword, shining like silver, and
bent it. The sword bent like a bow, and then sprang out straight again.

"A wonderful weapon, indeed," said Ramses.

"If Thou permit, O viceroy, I will show thee another of its qualities,"
said Sargon, who, with the chance to praise Assyrian arms, which at
that time were excellent, forgot his anger.

At his request one of the Egyptian officers unsheathed a bronze