t this
will not happen in my case. Either I shall do what I plan, and which I,
as the son and heir of the gods have the right to do, or I shall
perish."

Pentuer drew back, and muttered an exorcism.

"Speak not thus, worthy lord," said he, in confusion, "lest evil
spirits circling through the desert may seize thy words. A word,
remember this, ruler, is like a stone sent from a sling; it may strike
a wall, rebound, and hit the man who hurled it."

The prince motioned with his hand contemptuously.

"It is all one," replied he. "A life in which every one stops my will
has no worth for me. When the gods do not bar me, the winds of the
desert do; when evil spirits are not against me, the priests are. Is
the power of a pharaoh to be of such sort. I wish to do what my mind
says, to give account to my deathless ancestors, and to them only, not
to this or that shaven head, who pretends to interpret the will of
divinity, but who is really seizing power, and turning my wealth to his
own use."

At some tens of yards from them a strange cry was heard at that moment,
half neighing, half bleating, and an immense shadow sped past. It went
like an arrow, and as far as could be seen had a humped back and a long
neck.

From the prince's retinue came sounds of fear.

"That is a griffin! I saw its wings clearly," said one and another of
the Asiatics.

"The desert is swarming with monsters," added the old Libyan.

Ramses was afraid; he also thought that the passing shadow had the head
of a serpent, and something resembling short wings.

"Do monsters really show themselves in the desert?" asked he of the
priest.

"It is true," said Pentuer, "that in such a lonely place evil spirits
prowl about in strange guises. But it seems to me that that which has
passed is rather a beast. It is like a saddle horse, only larger and
quicker in movement. Dwellers in the oases say that this beast may live
without drinking water at all, or at least very rarely. If that be the
case, men hereafter may in crossing deserts use this strange creature,
which today rouses fear only."

"I should not dare to sit on the back of a great beast like that," said
Ramses, as he shook his head.

"Our ancestors said the same of the horse, which helped the Hyksos to
conquer Egypt, but today it is indispensable to our army. Time changes
men's judgments greatly," said Pentuer.

The last clouds had vanished from the sky and a clear night set in.
Though the moon w