a gentle smile for
earthly power and glory; in its glance there was a waiting for
something which was to come, but when no one knew.

Soon the messengers returned from the ferry with information that boats
would be waiting there.

Pentuer went among the palms, and cried,

"Wake! wake!"

The watchful Asiatics sprang up at once, and began to bridle their
horses. Tutmosis also rose, and yawned with a grimace.

"Brr!" grumbled he, "what cold! Sleep is a good thing! I barely dozed a
little, and now I am able to go even to the end of the world, even
again to the Soda Lakes. Brr! I have forgotten the taste of wine, and
it seems to me that my hands are becoming covered with hair, like the
paws of a jackal. And it is two hours to 'the palace yet.

"Happy are common men! One ragged rogue sleeps after another and feels
no need of washing: he will not go to work till his wife brings a
barley cake; while I, a great lord, must wander about, like a thief in
the night, through the desert, without a drop of water to put to my
lips."

The horses were ready, and Ramses mounted his own. Pentuer approached,
took the bridle of the ruler's steed, and led, going himself on foot.

"What is this?" inquired the astonished Tutmosis.

He bethought himself quickly, ran up, and took Ramses' horse by the
bridle on the other side. And so all advanced in silence, astonished at
the bearing of the priest, though they felt that something important
had happened.

After a few hundred steps the desert ceased, and a highroad through the
field lay before the travelers.

"Mount your horses," said Ramses; "we must hurry."

"His holiness commands you to sit on your horses," cried Pentuer.

All were amazed. But Tutmosis recovered quickly, and placed his hand on
his sword-hilt.

"May he live through eternity, our all-powerful and gracious leader
Ramses!" shouted the adjutant.

"May he live through eternity!" howled the Asiatics, shaking their
weapons.

"I thank you, my faithful warriors," answered their lord.

A moment later the mounted party was hastening toward the river.

CHAPTER L

We know not whether the prophets in the underground temple of the
Sphinx saw the new ruler of Egypt when he halted at the foot of the
pyramids, and gave information touching him at the palace, and if so
how they did it. The fact is that when Ramses was approaching the
ferry, the most worthy Herhor gave orders to rouse the palace servants,
and when their