Yes, parched with thirst, panting, thin-bellied,
still they heldtheir own. Yes, I wonder muchfrom whom all these pomps and glories
flee away like shadows.
For a while she sat silent with a face of stone.
Now do you give me yourcounsel, you who are cunning as a jackal that has often
escaped thetrap. Nay, answered Khian wearily, for his head swam and scarce he
knewwhat passed about him. How could he succeed against so mighty afoe?
They saw and trembled, and returning,made report to
Apepi at his Council. Nay, it was not safe;he was too powerful, he had too many in
his pay.
If he must fall, it should be fighting as
hisforefathers would have done.
I say it must be, my Uncle, I, the Queen of Egypt,
desireit; it is an order.
One who craves audience with you, Prince Abeshu,
and at once, saidthe leader of the guard.
Let Temu,who understands nothing, deliver your
message.
Well, if Apepi has a staffI have a
sword.
She looked at hima while, then burst into tears
and, turning, departed to her tent. Nay, answered Khian wearily, for his head swam
and scarce he knewwhat passed about him.
Niece, be not so rough-tongued and ungrateful.
Almost at thecrest of the pass it whinnied and stood still. Still he sent Ru and
with him came theroyal armourer.
Almost at thecrest of the pass it whinnied and
stood still. They were pursued, and the race for life began. And bid those
Babylonian smiths come measure me forarmour of the best.
Perhaps he hoped to take him living, or perhapshe,
too, had lost his weapons.
They saw and trembled, and returning,made report to
Apepi at his Council.
They were pursued, and the race for life began. A
good plan, said Nefra, clapping her hands. Nay, it was not safe;he was too powerful,
he had too many in his pay.
I say it must be, my Uncle, I, the Queen of Egypt,
desireit; it is an order.
Therefore what could he gain bysurrender? Have not
all thingshappened according to your desire? Perhaps he hoped to take him living, or
perhapshe, too, had lost his weapons.
Therefore what could he gain bysurrender? Lastly,
both of youare weak who have, I think, lain for many days in an evil
prison.
We think, Pharaoh, answered Anath, that Ditanah
does not desire totake Egypt.
I could not stop thehorse, so I slid over its tail
and ran back towards you.