h and
mustered them in battle array. It was but a little number as against
the number of the barbarians--twelve thousand spearmen, nine thousand
archers, two thousand horsemen, and three hundred chariots. The Wanderer
passed up and down their ranks, bidding them be of good courage, for
this day they should sweep the barbarians from the land.

As he spoke a hawk flew down from the right, and fell on a heron, and
slew it in mid-air. The host shouted, for the hawk is the Holy Bird of
Ra, and the Wanderer, too, rejoiced in the omen. "Look, men," he cried;
"the Bird of Ra has slain the wandering thief from the waters. And so
shall ye smite the spoilers from the sea."

Then he held counsel with Captains, and certain trusty men were sent
out to the camp of the barbarians. And they were charged to give an ill
report of the host of Pharaoh, and to say that such of it as remained
awaited the barbarian onset behind the shelter of the hill on the
further side of the pass.

Then the Wanderer summoned the Captains of the archers, and bade them
hide all their force among the rocks and thorns on either side of the
mountain pass, and there to wait till he drew the hosts of the foe into
the pass. And with the archers he sent a part of the spearmen, but the
chariots he hid beneath the shelter of the hill on the hither side of
the pass.

Now, when the ambush was set, and all were gone save the horsemen only,
his spies came in and told him that the host of the barbarians marched
from their camp, but that the Achaeans marched not, but stopped by the
river to guard the camp and ships. Then the Wanderer bade the horsemen
ride through the pass and stand in the plain beyond, and there await the
foe. But when the hosts of the barbarians charged them, they must reel
before the charge, and at length fly headlong down the pass as though in
fear. And he himself would lead the flight in his chariot, and where he
led there they should follow.

So the horsemen rode through the pass and formed their squadrons on the
plain beyond. Now the foe drew nigh, and a glorious sight it was to see
the midday sun sparkling on their countless spears. Of horsemen they
had no great number, but there were many chariots and swordsmen, and
spearmen, and slingers beyond count. They came on by nations, and in
the centre of the host of each nation sat the king of the nation in a
glorious chariot, with girls and eunuchs, holding fans to fan him with
and awnings of silk