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Naturally old officers would fall into idleness from anger, because promotion had missed them; the exquisites would be idle for the sake of amusement, and the corps would break up without even meeting an enemy. Oh, Herhor is a sage!" "May his wisdom not cost thee more than the inexperience of Ramses," whispered Patrokles.
At the same moment Pentuer races up, dismounts, and shouts, "Patrokles is engaging the rear of the Libyans!" The confusion on the right wing increases, and is passing to the centre. It is clear that the Libyans are beginning to withdraw, and that panic is seizing even their main column. The whole staff of the prince, roused to the uttermost, follows the movements of the yellow dust, feverishly.
"The valiant Patrokles died last night; do ye holy fathers think to show his remains honor?" "He was a barbarian and a great sinner," said the priest, "but he rendered such famous services to Egypt that it is proper to assure life beyond the grave to him.
"Tutmosis," said the prince on a sudden, "dost Thou think today that I can reckon on the army?" "We will go to death, only give the order." "And dost Thou reckon on the nobles?" "As on the army." "That is well. Now we may render the rites to Patrokles."
Meanwhile the Libyans, pushing back all the time, had ascended the sandy hills on the south, and after them Egyptians. From out the cloud came horsemen every minute and rushed to Ramses. "Mentezufis has taken them in the rear!" cried one. "Two hundred have surrendered!" cried another. "Patrokles has taken them in the rear!"
For rebellious conversation we must beat and take fines in money, but when there is no cause for punishment we may be magnanimous." "I understand," answered the steward, looking into the eyes of Ramses. "Let them cry out as much as they like if they do not whisper blasphemy." These talks with Patrokles and the steward were reported throughout Egypt.
"Who among us has not made them?" put in Patrokles, silent thus far. "The heir," continued the minister, "led the main corps wisely, but he neglected his staff; through this neglect we marched so slowly and in such disorder that Nitager was able to cut off the road before us." "Perhaps Ramses counted on your dignity," said Nitager.
The calm answer mollified Mentezufis, so the priest did not remind the prince of the maneuvers of the previous year when he left the army in the same way and incurred the pharaoh's disfavor. At that moment Patrokles approached them with great uproar. The Grecian general was drunk again and called from afar to the viceroy, "See, heir, what the holy Mentezufis has done.
I, knowing that Thou wouldst come, have been ready this hour past, and am preparing a bath for thee and perfumes." "While thus engaged, the regiment is without a commander." "Am I to command a detachment where his worthiness the minister of war is, and such a leader is present as Patrokles?" Ramses was silent; meanwhile Tutmosis, approaching him, whispered,
For our army must become demoralized utterly when it learns that traitors are forcing their way to the head of it." "Vile hireling," replied Mentezufis, coldly, "how darest Thou talk thus of the army and the confidants of his holiness? Since the world became the world such blasphemy has not been uttered! And I fear lest the gods may avenge the insult wrought on them." Patrokles laughed loudly.
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