sive heir find amusement for some years along the western
border. He will gain skill himself in warfare, while the idle warriors
will find their own proper work to do."

The other correspondence Mentezufis carried on with the holy father
Mefres and that seemed to him of more importance. Mefres, offended
formerly by the prince, had recently, in the case of Sarah's child,
accused the prince directly of infanticide, committed under Kama's
influence.

When a week had passed, and the viceroy's innocence was manifest, the
high priest grew still more irate, and did not cease his efforts. The
prince, he said, was capable of anything; he was hostile to the
country's gods, he was an ally of the vile Phoenicians.

The murder of Sarah's child seemed so suspicious in the earlier days,
that even the supreme council asked Mentezufis what he. thought of it.

Mentezufis answered that he had watched the prince for days, and did
not think the man a murderer.

Such were the letters which, like birds of prey, whirled around Ramses,
while he was sending scouts against the enemy, consulting leaders, or
urging on his warriors.

On the fourteenth day the whole army was concentrated on the south of
Teremethis. To the great delight of the heir,

Patrokles came with the Greek regiment, and with him the priest
Pentuer, sent by Herhor as another guardian near the viceroy.

The multitude of priests in the camp (for there were still others) did
not enchant Ramses. But he resolved not to turn attention to the holy
men or ask advice of them.

Relations were regulated in some way, for Mentezufis, according to
instructions from Herhor, did not force himself on the prince, while
Pentuer occupied himself with organizing medical aid for the wounded.

The military game began.

First of all Ramses, through his agents, had spread a report in many
boundary villages that the Libyans were pushing forward in great
masses, and would destroy and murder. Because of this the terrified
inhabitants fled eastward and met the Egyptian warriors. The prince
took them in to carry burdens for the army, the women and children he
conveyed to the interior of Egypt. Next the commander sent spies to
meet the approaching Libyans and discover their number and disposition.
These spies returned soon, bringing accurate indications as to where
the Libyans were and very exaggerated accounts as to their numbers.
They asserted, too, mistakenly, though in great confidence, that