s
if saying,

"This rustic has been hunting barbarians all his life, we may pardon
him."

From remoter chambers were heard the sound of bells and the clatter of
weapons. Into the hall came in two ranks some tens of the guard in gilt
helmets, in breastplates, and with drawn swords, next two ranks of
priests, and at last appeared the pharaoh, carried in a litter,
surrounded by clouds of smoke and incense.

The ruler of Egypt, Ramses XII, was nearly sixty years old. His face
was withered. He wore a white mantle; on his head was a red and white
cap with a golden serpent; in his hand he held a long staff.

When the retinue showed itself, all present fell on their faces, except
Patrokles, who, as a barbarian, stopped at a low bow, while Nitager
knelt on one knee, but soon rose again.

The litter stopped before a baldachin under which was an ebony throne
on an elevation. The pharaoh descended slowly from the litter, looked
awhile at those present, and then, taking his seat on the throne, gazed
fixedly at the cornice on which was painted a rose-colored globe with
blue wings and green serpents.

On the right of the pharaoh stood the chief scribe, on the left a judge
with a staff; both wore immense wigs.

At a sign from the judge all sat down or knelt on the pavement, while
the scribe said to the pharaoh,

"Our lord and mighty ruler! Thy servant Nitager, the great guard on the
eastern boundary, has come to render thee homage, and has brought
tribute from conquered nations: a vase of green stone filled with gold,
three hundred oxen, a hundred horses, and the fragrant wood teshep."

"That is a mean tribute, my lord," said Nitager. "Real treasures we can
find only on the Euphrates, where splendid kings, though weak so far,
need much to be reminded of Ramses the Great."

"Answer my servant Nitager," said the pharaoh to the scribe, "that his
words will be taken under careful consideration. But now ask him what
he thinks of the military ability of my son and heir, whom he had the
honor of meeting near Pi-Bailos yesterday."

"Our lord, the master of nine nations, asks thee, Nitager" began the
scribe.

But the leader interrupted quickly, to the great dissatisfaction of the
courtiers,

"I hear myself what my lord says. Only the heir to the throne could be
his mouth when he turns to me; not thou, chief scribe."

The scribe looked with consternation at the daring leader, but the
pharaoh answered,

"My faithful Nitager s