go forward with the
troops. Then I bit my lip and was silent, whereon, seeing that he had
hurt me, he turned and craved my pardon humbly enough as his kind heart
taught him to do.

"I can bear no more of Amenmeses and those officers," he said, "and I
love to be in the desert alone. Last time we journeyed there we met with
adventures that were pleasant, Ana, and at Tanis doubtless I shall find
others that are not pleasant. Admit that Hebrew priest who is waiting to
instruct me in the mysteries of his faith which I desire to understand."

So I bowed and left him to make report that I had failed to shake his
will. Taking the risk of his wrath, however, I did this--for had I not
sworn to the Princess that I would protect him? In place of the runners
I chose two of the best and bravest soldiers to play their part.
Moreover, I instructed that captain who smote down Laban to hide away
with a score of picked men and enough chariots to carry them, and to
follow after the Prince, keeping just out of sight.

So on the morrow the troops, nobles, and officers went on at daybreak,
together with the baggage carriers; nor did we follow them till many
hours had gone by. Some of this time the Prince spent in driving about
the town, taking note of the condition of the people. These, as I saw,
looked on us sullenly enough, more so than before, I thought, perhaps
because we were unguarded. Indeed, turning round I caught sight of a man
shaking his fist and of an old hag spitting after us, and wished that we
were out of the land of Goshen. But when I reported it to the Prince he
only laughed and took no heed.

"All can see that they hate us Egyptians," he said. "Well, let it be our
task to try to turn their hate to love."

"That you will never do, Prince, it is too deep-rooted in their
hearts; for generations they have drunk it in with their mother's milk.
Moreover, this is a war of the gods of Egypt and of Israel, and men must
go where their gods drive them."

"Do you think so, Ana? Then are men nothing but dust blown by the
winds of heaven, blown from the darkness that is before the dawn to be
gathered at last and for ever into the darkness of the grave of night?"

He brooded a while, then went on.

"Yet if I were Pharaoh I would let these people go, for without doubt
their god has much power and I tell you that I fear them."

"Why will he not let them go?" I asked. "They are a weakness, not a
strength to Egypt, as was shown at t