at was the unterrified Patrokles; drunk
since daylight, he was attacking the rear guard of Libya.

"Charge!" said the prince.

Immediately that order was repeated by one, two, ten trumpets, and
after a moment the Egyptian companies pushed out from all the ravines.
The slingers disposed on the hilltops redoubled their efforts, while in
the valley, without haste, but also without disorder, the Egyptian
spearmen and axemen arranged in four columns moved forward gradually.

"Strengthen the centre," said the prince.

A trumpet repeated the command. Behind two columns of the first line
two new columns were placed. Before the Egyptians had finished that
maneuver, under a storm of missiles, the Libyans, following their
example, had arranged themselves in eight columns against the main
corps of Egypt.

"Forward, reserves!" shouted the prince. "See," said he, turning to one
of the adjutants, "whether the left wing is ready."

To see the valley at a glance, and more accurately, the adjutant rushed
in among the slingers, and fell immediately, but beckoned with his
hand. Another rushed to replace him and returned quickly to state that
both wings of the prince's division were drawn up in order.

From the division commanded by Patrokles came an increasing uproar, and
higher than the hill dense rolls of dark smoke were rising.

An officer from Pentuer ran to the prince reporting that the Libyan
camp had been fired by the Greek regiments.

"Force the centre!" cried Ramses.

Trumpet after trumpet sounded the attack, and when they had ceased the
command was heard in the central column, and then followed the rhythmic
roll of drums and the beat of the infantry step, marching slowly and in
time: one two! one two! one two! The command was repeated on the right
and on the left wing; again drums rolled and the wing columns moved
forward: one two! one two!

The Libyan slingers began to withdraw, showering stones on the marching
Egyptians. But though one warrior fell after another, the columns moved
on without stopping; they marched slowly, regularly, one two! one two!
one two!

The yellow cloud, growing ever denser, indicated the march of the
Egyptian battalions. The slingers could hurl stones no longer, and
there came a comparative quiet in the midst of which were heard sobs
and groans from wounded warriors.

"It is rare that they march on review so well," cried Ramses to the
staff officers.

"They are not afraid of sticks thi