through
the body of the Israelite who quivered and lay still. It was all done
in an instant, and on the silence that followed rang out the sound of
a woman's wail. For a moment Seti choked--with rage, I think. Then he
spoke a single word--"Guards!"

The four Nubians, who, as ordered, had kept at a distance, burst through
the gathered throng. Ere they reached us I, who till now had stood
amazed, sprang at the captain and gripped him by the throat. He struck
at me with his bloody sword, but the blow, falling on my long cloak,
only bruised me on the left thigh. Then I, who was strong in those days,
grappled with him and we rolled together on the ground.

After this there was great tumult. The Hebrew slaves burst their
rope and flung themselves upon the soldiers like dogs upon a jackal,
battering them with their bare fists. The soldiers defended themselves
with swords; the overseers plied their hide whips; women screamed, men
shouted. The captain whom I had seized began to get the better of me;
at least I saw his sword flash above me and thought that all was over.
Doubtless it would have been, had not Seti himself dragged the man
backwards and thus given the four Nubian guards time to seize him. Next
I heard the Prince cry out in a ringing voice:

"Hold! It is Seti, the son of Pharaoh, the Governor of Tanis, with whom
you have to do. See," and he threw back the hood of his cloak so that
the moon shone upon his face.

Instantly there was a great quiet. Now, first one and then another as
the truth sunk into them, men began to fall upon their knees, and I
heard one say in an awed voice:

"The royal Son, the Prince of Egypt struck in the face by a soldier!
Blood must pay for it."

"How is that officer named?" asked Seti, pointing to the man who had
killed the Israelite and well-nigh killed me.

Someone answered that he was named Khuaka.

"Bring him to the steps of the temple of Amon," said Seti to the Nubians
who held him fast. "Follow me, friend Ana, if you have the strength.
Nay, lean upon my shoulder."

So resting upon the shoulder of the Prince, for I was bruised and
breathless, I walked with him a hundred paces or more to the steps of
the great temple where we climbed to the platform at the head of the
stairs. After us came the prisoner, and after him all the multitude,
a very great number who stood upon the steps and on the flat ground
beyond. The Prince, who was very white and quiet, sat himself down
upon th