he has given wonderful proof of it to-day. Merely
for the sake of being released from his oath, he thrust his head into
the crocodile's jaws. But though the son of Nun is a lion, he will find
his master in Mesu. That man is the mortal foe of the Egyptians, the
bare thought of him stirs my gall."

"The cries of the wailing women behind this door admonish us loudly
enough to hate him."

"Yet the weakling on the throne has forgotten vengeance, and is now
sending Hosea on an errand of reconciliation."

"With your sanction, I think?"

"Ay," replied the priest with a mocking smile. "We send him to build a
bridge! Oh, this bridge! A grey-beard's withered brain recommends it to
be thrown across the stream, and the idea just suits this pitiful son of
a great father, who would certainly never have shunned swimming through
the wildest whirlpool, especially when revenge was to be sought. Let
Hosea essay the bridge! If it leads him back across the stream to us, I
will offer him a right warm and cordial welcome; but as soon as this one
man stands on our shores, may its supports sink under the leaders of his
people; we, the only brave souls in Egypt, must see to that."

"So be it. Yet I fear we shall lose the chief, too, if justice overtakes
his people."

"It might almost seem so."

"You have greater wisdom than I."

"Yet here you believe me in error."

"How could I venture to...."

"As a member of the military council you are entitled to your own
opinion, and I consider myself bound to show you the end of the path
along which you have hitherto followed us with blindfold eyes. So
listen, and judge accordingly when your turn comes to speak in the
council. The chief-priest Rui is old...."

"And you now fill half his offices."

"Would that he might soon be relieved of the last half of his burden.
Not on my own account. I love strife, but for the welfare of our
native land. It is a deep-seated feeling of our natures to regard the
utterances and mandates of age as wisdom, so there are few among the
councillors who do not follow the old man's opinions; yet his policy
limps on crutches, like himself. All good projects are swamped under his
weak, fainthearted guidance."

"That is the very reason my vote is at your disposal," cried the
warrior. "That is why I am ready to use all my might to hurl this
sleeper from the throne and get rid of his foolish advisers."

The prophet laid his finger on his lips to warn his companion t