undred war chariots.

The holy Mentezufis, who, as a representative of Herhor, understood the
military art well, was overcome by astonishment.

"Ye know," said he to Sem and Mefres, "that I do not like the heir to
the throne, for I have discovered his perversity and malice. But Osiris
be my witness that that young man is a born leader. I will tell you a
thing unparalleled: We shall concentrate our forces on the border three
or four days earlier than it was possible to expect. The Libyans have
lost the war already, though they have not heard the whistle of our
arrows."

"So much the worse is such a pharaoh for us," interposed Mefres, with
the stubbornness peculiar to old men.

Toward evening the sixth of Hator, Prince Ramses bathed and informed
his staff that they would march on the morrow two hours before sunrise.
"And now I wish to sleep," said he.

To wish for sleep was easier than to get it. The whole city was
swarming with warriors; at the palace of the prince a regiment had
encamped which had no thought of rest, but was eating, drinking, and
singing.

The prince went to the remotest chamber, but even there he could not
undress. Every few minutes some adjutant flew in with a report of no
moment, or for an order in questions which could have been settled on
the spot by the commander of a regiment. Spies were led in who brought
no new information; great lords with small followings were announced;
these wished to offer their services to the prince as volunteers.
Phoenician merchants broke in on him; these wanted contracts for the
army, or were contractors who complained of the extortion of generals.

Even soothsayers and astrologers were not lacking, who in the last
hours before marching wished to draw his horoscope for the viceroy;
there were even practicers of the black art who wished to sell
unfailing amulets against missiles.

These people simply broke into the prince's chamber: each one of them
judged that the fate of the expedition was in his hands, and that in
such a case every etiquette should vanish.

The heir satisfied all applicants patiently. But when behind an
astrologer one of his own women pushed into the room with complaint
that Ramses did not love her, since he had not taken farewell, and when
a quarter of an hour later the weeping of another was heard outside the
window, the heir could endure no longer; he summoned Tutmosis.

"Sit in this room," said he, "and if Thou wish, console the wome