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In spite of the steep road the prince rushed down at full speed to his division, to the place where the minister of war stood surrounded by officers. "What is happening?" called he, threateningly. "Why sound an alarm instead of marching?" "We are cut off," said Herhor. "By whom?" "Our division by three regiments of Nitager, who has marched out of the desert."
When the three dignitaries were seated, Ramses XII said, "Tell me, Nitager, dost Thou think that my son will be a leader? But tell pure truth." "By Amon of Thebes, by the glory of my ancestors in whom was blood royal, I swear that thy heir, Prince Ramses, will be a great leader, if the gods permit," replied Nitager.
The division was detained for a short rest, and meanwhile Nitager finished his conversation with the minister. "My officers," said the old commander, "never look under their feet, but always straight forward." "That is the reason, perhaps, why no enemy has ever surprised me."
"Ye advance as slowly as if your legs were sawn off, while Nitager will stand before our division in two hours at the latest." "Thou hast told truth. Thy staff marches very slowly." "Eunana tells me also," here Ramses indicated an officer standing behind him who was covered with amulets, "that ye have not sent scouts to search ravines. But in case of real war an enemy might attack from that side."
The regiments of Prince Ramses, which were to meet the Asiatic forces of Nitager, had assembled on the road above the city of Pi-Bailos with their camp and with some military engines. The heir himself directed all the movements. He had organized two parties of scouts.
"Then what will be the end of this hatred between him and you?" inquired Pentuer. "Hatred!" repeated Herhor. "Could I hate a frivolous fellow, who, moreover, is surrounded, like a deer in a ravine by hunters! But I must confess that his rule is so full of danger that if Ramses had a brother, or if Nitager were younger, we should set aside the present pharaoh."
He had heard the conversation, and said abruptly, "Had there been on your side such an awkward leader as the erpatr, how could we have finished the maneuvers?" "Let the young warrior alone!" answered Nitager. "Is it not enough for thee that he has shown the iron claws, as was proper for a son of the pharaoh?" Tutmosis, noting the turn which the conversation had taken, asked Nitager,
But Herhor was indifferent, Patrokles impatient, and Nitager now and then disturbed with his deep voice the solemn silence. After every such impolite sound from the old leader, the courtiers moved, like frightened sheep, and looked at one another, as if saying, "This rustic has been hunting barbarians all his life, we may pardon him."
Does not the godlike Nitager stand on guard with his army to repulse them and carry war into their countries? Dost Thou suppose that Egypt will not find armed men and treasures for the war? We will go, all of us, for each man can gain something, and in some way make his life independent. Treasures are lying in the temples but the labyrinth."
"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.
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