ws had begun to circulate
concerning the Libyans. It was said that those barbarian warriors,
disbanded by the priests, began by begging on the road homeward, then
they stole, and finally they fell to robbing and burning Egyptian
villages, murdering the inhabitants meanwhile.

In the course of a few days they attacked and destroyed the towns of
Chinen-su, Pinat, and Kasa, south of Lake Moeris, and they cut down
also a caravan of merchants and Egyptian pilgrims returning from the
oasis Uit-Mehe. The entire western boundary of the state was in peril,
and even from Teremethis inhabitants began to flee. And in the
neighborhood beyond that, toward the sea, appeared bands of Libyans,
sent, as it were, by the terrible chief, Musawasa, who, it seemed, was
to declare a sacred war against Egypt.

Moreover, if any evening a western strip of sky was red for too long a
time alarm fell on Pi-Bast. The people gathered along the streets; some
of them went out on the flat roofs, or climbed trees, and declared that
they saw a fire in Menuf or in Sechem. Some, even, in spite of
darkness, saw fleeing people, or Libyan bands marching toward Pi-Bast
in long black columns.

Notwithstanding the indignation of people, the rulers of provinces
remained indifferent, for the central power issued no order.

Prince Ramses saw this alarm of the people and the indifference of
dignitaries. Mad anger seized him, because he received no command from
Memphis, and because neither Mefres nor Mentezufis spoke with him of
dangers threatening Egypt.

But since neither priest visited him, and both, as it were, avoided
conversation, the viceroy did not seek them, nor did he make any
military preparations.

At last he ceased to visit the regiments stationed at Pi-Bast, but
assembling at the palace all the young nobles, he amused himself and
feasted, repressing in his heart indignation at the priests and anxiety
for the fate of the country.

"Thou wilt see!" said he once to Tutmosis. "The holy prophets will
manage us so that Musawasa will take Lower Egypt, and we shall have to
flee to Thebes, if not to Sunnu, unless the Ethiopians drive us also
from that place."

"Thou speakest truth," replied Tutmosis; "our rulers' acts resemble
those of traitors."

The first day in the month of Hator (August-September) a great feast
was given at the palace of the viceroy. They began to amuse themselves
at two in the afternoon, and before sunset all present were drunk. I