ace some hundreds of yards in width, with
deep furrows filled with bodies of the dead and wounded. On the side
along which the prince was approaching, Egyptians and Libyans lay
intermixed, in a long line, still farther on there were almost none
except Libyans.

In places bodies lay close to bodies; sometimes on one spot three or
four were piled one on another. The sand was stained with brownish
blood patches; the wounds were ghastly. Both hands were cut from one
man, another had his head split to the body, from a third man, the
entrails were dropping. Some were howling in convulsions, and from
their mouths, filled with sand, came forth curses, or prayers imploring
some one to slay them.

Ramses passed along hastily, not looking around, though some of the
wounded men shouted feebly in his honor.

Not far from that place he met the first crowd of prisoners. They fell
on their faces before him and begged for compassion.

"Proclaim pardon to the conquered and the obedient," said he to his
staff.

A number of horsemen rushed off in various directions. Soon a trumpet
was heard, and after it a piercing voice,

"By the order of his worthiness the prince in command, prisoners and
wounded are not to be slain!"

In answer came wild shouts, evidently from prisoners.

"At command of the prince," a second voice cried in singing tones in
another direction, "prisoners and wounded are not to be slain!"

Meanwhile on the southern heights the battle ceased and two of the
largest Libyan divisions laid down their arms before the Greek
regiments.

The valiant Patrokles, in consequence of the heat, as he said himself
of ardent drink, as thought others barely held himself in the saddle.
He rubbed his tearful eyes, and turned to the prisoners.

"Mangy dogs!" cried he, "who raise sinful hands on the army of his
holiness (may the worms devour you)! Ye will perish like lice under the
nail of a pious Egyptian, if ye do not tell this minute where your
leader is, may leprosy eat off his nose and drink his blear eyes out!"

At that moment the prince appeared. The general greeted him with
respect, but did not stop his investigation.

"I will have belts cut from your bodies! I will impale you on stakes,
if I do not learn this minute where that poisonous reptile is, that son
of a wild boar."

"Ei! where our leader is?" cried one of the Libyans, pointing to a
little crowd on horseback which was advancing slowly in the depth of
the deser