United States or Vanuatu ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"She confessed that she killed thy son." "What?" A great cry was heard at the prince's feet: the Libyan prisoners captured in battle were marching past, and at the head of them the sorrowful Tehenna. Ramses had at that moment a heart so full of pain that he nodded to Tehenna, and said, "Stand near thy father Musawasa, so that he may touch thee, and see thee living."
It is a real miracle that the heir to the throne himself seized Tehenna; and not only will he not do him wrong, but he will cover him with dignities." Thus he thought and looked behind continually, for a slave, though naked, may conceal a stolen jewel in his mouth, and even swallow it.
At a certain distance behind the prince's retinue came a small division of the guard, in the midst of it Tehenna, son of the Libyan chief Musawasa. A few hundred paces from the Egyptians, at the entrance of the ravine, stood the gloomy crowd of Libyans imploring the conqueror's favor.
"Thou hast spoken truth," replied the Libyan. "This is Tehenna, the son of Musawasa; he is our leader; he is worthy to be even prince of Egypt." "But where is Musawasa?" "In Glaucus. He will collect a great army and avenge us." The other Libyans said nothing; they did not even look at their conquerors.
When, toward evening, it was necessary to call a military council, he summoned Mentezufis and Pentuer. No one mentioned the sudden death of Patrokles; perhaps because there was more urgent business; for Libyan envoys had come imploring in the name of Musawasa mercy for his son Tehenna, and offering to Egypt surrender and peace forever.
"At this moment," answered the treasurer, "his expedition with a few tens of men to the temple of Ptah seems to me inconceivable madness!" "But did the pharaoh act more wisely at the Soda Lakes when he chased all night after Tehenna?" put in Hiram. "Daring means more than numbers." "But that young priest?" asked the treasurer. "He came without our knowledge and went without leave," added Hiram.
His son, Tehenna, who was twenty years of age at that time, led it. The old barbarian knew what war was, and understood that he who plans to conquer must act with speed and give the first blows in the struggle. Libyan preparations were very brief.
"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.
The heir, seeing the priest, tore Himself free from the arms of the officers and hurried to him. "Know, holy father, we have caught the Libyan chief Tehenna." "Vain is the capture," replied the priest severely, "for which the supreme chief must leave his army; especially when a new enemy may attack at any moment."
At command of Ramses the Asiatics disarmed them without the least trouble, and sat down in the shade themselves. At that moment they were all neither enemies nor friends, only men who were mortally wearied. Death was hovering over all, but beyond rest they had no desire. Pentuer, seeing that Tehenna remained unconscious, knelt near him and bent above his head so that no one saw what he was doing.
Word Of The Day