on our heads because of thy offenses."

"On thy shaven head, Thou soul worth a copper, it will not fall, for it
would think thy head something else," said the Greek, half unconscious.
But seeing that the prince did not support him, he withdrew to his camp
ground.

"Didst Thou really command to kill the prisoners in spite of my promise
that they should have pardon?" asked the prince.

"Thou wert not in camp, worthiness," replied Mentezufis, "hence
responsibility falls not on thee for that deed: while I observe our
military laws, which command to destroy traitorous warriors. The man
who served his holiness once and joins his enemies afterward is to be
slain immediately that is the law."

"But if I had been here?"

"As supreme leader and a son of the pharaoh Thou couldst suspend the
execution of certain laws which I must obey," replied Mentezufis.

"Couldst Thou not have waited till my return?"

"The law commands to kill immediately, so I carried out its
provisions."

The prince was so stunned that he interrupted conversation and withdrew
to his tent. There falling into a seat he said to Tutmosis,

"I am today a captive of the priests. They murder prisoners, they
threaten officers, they do not even respect my duties. Did ye say
nothing to Mentezufis when he commanded to kill those unfortunate
prisoners?"

"He shielded himself with military laws, and new orders from Herhor."

"But it is I who am leader here, though I went out for half a day."

"Thou didst give the leadership explicitly into my hands and into those
of Patrokles," answered Tutmosis. "But when the holy Mentezufis came we
had to yield to him, for he is our superior."

The prince thought that the seizure of Tehenna was in every case
purchased with surpassing misfortunes. At the same time he felt in all
its force the significance of the maxim that a chief must never leave
his army. He had to confess his error, but that irritated his pride the
more and filled him with hatred for the priesthood.

"Behold," said he, "I am in captivity even before I have become the
pharaoh, may his holiness live through eternity. So today I must begin
to work myself out of this slavery, and first of all to be silent.
Pentuer is right: I must be silent always, and put away my anger, like
precious jewels into the storehouse of memory. But when it is full, ye
will pay me, O prophets."

"Thou dost not inquire, worthiness, for the results of the battle,"
said Tutmosis.