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Assuredly it is their interest not to be expelled from Egypt, and not to fall under the power of Assyria. The Assyrians are a herd of raging lions! Wherever they pass through a country nothing is left except ruins and dead bodies, as after a fire." All at once Ramses raised his head; from a distance came the sound of flutes and horns. "What does this mean?" inquired he of Tutmosis.
"Tutmosis ought to send us a courier," said he. "For I am certain that the affair is already settled in one or another way." "I do not know that," said the chief treasurer. "They may not have found boats at the crossing. There may have been resistance at the temple." "But where is that young priest?" asked Hiram on a sudden. "The priest?
Today they put on a great front, for I am far from them. But when I stretch out a bronze fist they will fall on their faces, and all this confusion will end in general prosperity and contentment." The queen embraced his feet and went out comforted, imploring him, however, to respect the gods and spare their servants. After the departure of his mother he summoned Tutmosis.
Then he quenched the light in the bed-chamber and Ramses went out through side passages. When he was in the garden Ramses stopped and looked on all sides with attention. Then, taking bearings, he started quickly toward the villa which he had given Tutmosis. After he had walked some minutes in a shady alley a man stood before him and inquired, "Who goes?" "Nubia," answered the pharaoh.
"Thou, Tutmosis, wilt send three regiments to Memphis and post them near the temples of Ptah, Isis, and Horus. If the enraged people wish to storm the temples the commanders of the regiments will open the gates to themselves, will not admit common men to the holy places, and will guarantee the persons of the high priests from insult.
Among three thousand chambers and corridors this is impossible." "The worthy Samentu speaks truth," said Tutmosis. "And perhaps we employ too much keenness against these priestly reptiles." "Do not say that," replied the priest.
The garden, thanks to numerous guards, was as safe as the palace. No one considered it proper to watch over the pharaoh even from a distance, knowing that Ramses did not wish any one to be occupied with him at certain moments. When he disappeared, the chief scribe said to the treasurer, "Time drags on like a chariot in the desert. Perhaps Hebron has some news from Tutmosis."
"My son, I implore the gods to preserve thee from violence, and from the punishment which Thou deservest." "Wilt Thou go?" asked Tutmosis. "I wait here for Ramses," answered Herhor. "Well, then, remain here, trickster!" cried Tutmosis. He drew his sword and rushed at Herhor.
Meanwhile the priests sang wedding hymns and bore the statue of the divine Isis through the whole house; and priestesses performed sacred dances. The day ended with spectacles and a great feast, during which all noticed that Hebron accompanied the pharaoh continually, and that Tutmosis kept at a distance from her, and simply entertained guests at the wedding.
The people are to storm the temples not earlier than the 22d and 23d. And when troops occupy those points all must be quieted." "Would it not be better to imprison Herhor and Mefres at once?" inquired Tutmosis. "What for? I am not concerned about them, but the labyrinth and the temples, for the occupation of which troops are not ready yet.
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