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While I get rid of my superfluous clothing, will you go and ask the high-priest if I have leave to quit the temple." "He commissioned me to send a leech to the paraschites, and added that the girl was to be treated like a queen." "Ameni? and did he know that we have to do with a paraschites?" "Certainly." "Then I shall begin to believe that broken limbs may be set with vows-aye, vows!
"Did you devise it?" "By the Holy One no!" cried Ameni. "And yet Pentaur is sincere, and inclined to faith," said the old man doubtfully. "I know it," returned Ameni. "It happened as he said. But who did it, and who told him of the shameful deed?" Both the priests stood thoughtfully gazing at the floor. Ameni first broke the silence.
"More than one murder. He is worthy of death." "He acted under pressure of necessity," replied Ameni. "And a man so favored by the Gods as he, is not to be lightly given up because an untimely impulse of generosity prompted him to rash conduct. I know I can see that you wish him ill. Promise me, as you value me as an ally, that you will not attempt his life."
"Pentaur came in with Nebsecht," he exclaimed, "and they are intimate friends. Where was the leech while I was staying in Thebes?" "He was taking care of the child hurt by Bent-Anat the child of the paraschites Pinem, and he stayed there three days," replied Gagabu. "And it was Pinem," said Ameni, "that opened the body of Rui! Now I know who has dimmed Pentaur's faith.
Among the rebellious boys are our best singers, and particularly young Anana, who leads the voices of the choir-boys. "I will examine the silly fellows at once. Rameri Rameses' son was among the young miscreants?" "He seems to have been the ring-leader," answered Septah. Ameni looked at the old man with a significant smile, and said: "The royal family are covering themselves with honor!
When at last they reached the landing-place, the procession had already passed on to the temple of Seti; Ameni had met it with his chorus of singers, and had received the God on the shore of the Nile; the prophets of the Necropolis had with their own hands placed him in the sacred Sam-bark of the House of Seti, which was artistically constructed of cedar wood and electrum set with jewels; thirty pastophori took the precious burden on their shoulders, and bore it up the avenue of Sphinxes which led from the river to the temple into the sanctuary of Seti, where Amon remained while the emissaries from the different provinces deposited their offerings in the forecourt.
Ameni gave him his blessing; he told him that if he himself ever had to command he would understand his severity, and allowed the other scholars to accompany him as far as the Nile. Pentaur parted from him tenderly at the gate. When Rameri was alone in the cabin of his gilt bark with his tutor, he felt his eyes swimming in tears. "Your highness is surely not weeping?" asked the official.
The king appreciated this remarkable man, and had long endeavored to attach him to the court, as keeper of the royal seal; but Ameni was not to be induced to give up his apparently modest position; for he contemned all outward show and ostentatious titles; he ventured sometimes to oppose a decided resistance to the measures of the Pharaoh,
He had indeed turned towards the door, when the Regent, who had exchanged a few whispered words with Ameni, called to him, requested him to take the place that had been reserved for him, and pointed to the seat by his side, which had in fact been intended for the high-priest of the temple of Amon.
He looked at the glittering beaker, and then, with a flash of his grave, bright eyes, he added: "And if I am betrayed if ten such as Ameni and Ani entice my people into a snare I shall return home, and will tread the reptiles into dust." His deep voice rang out the words, as if he were a herald proclaiming a victorious deed of arms. Not a word was spoken, not a hand moved, when he ceased speaking.
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