Suddenly from the vanguard galloped up a mounted soldier and informed Herhor that Prince Ramses, the heir to the throne, was approaching. His worthiness descended from the litter, and at that moment appeared a mounted party of men who halted and sprang from their horses. One man of this party and the minister began to approach each other, halting every few steps and bowing. "Be greeted, O son of the pharaoh; may he live through eternity!" said the minister. "Be greeted and live long, O holy father!" answered Ramses; then he added, "Ye advance as slowly as if your legs were sawn off, while Nitager will stand before our division in two hours at the latest." "Thou hast told truth. Thy staff marches very slowly." "Eunana tells me also," here Ramses indicated an officer standing behind him who was covered with amulets, "that ye have not sent scouts to search ravines. But in case of real war an enemy might attack from that side." "I am not the leader, I am only a judge," replied the minister, quietly. "But what can Patrokles be doing?" "Patrokles is bringing up the military engines with his Greek regiment." "But my relative and adjutant, Tutmosis?" "He is sleeping yet, I suppose." Ramses stamped impatiently, and was silent. He was a beautiful youth, with a face almost feminine, to which anger and sunburn added charm. He wore a close-fitting coat with blue and white stripes, a kerchief of the same color behind his helmet, a gold chain around his neck, and a costly sword beneath his left arm. "I see," said the prince, "that Thou alone, Eunana, art mindful of my honor." The officer covered with amulets bent to the earth. "Tutmosis is indolent," said the heir. "Return to thy place, Eunana. Let the vanguard at least have a leader." Then, looking at the suite which now surrounded him as if it had sprung from under the earth on a sudden, he added, "Bring my litter. I am as tired as a quarryman." "Can the gods grow tired?" whispered Eunana, still standing behind him. "Go to thy place!" said Ramses. "But perhaps Thou wilt command me, O image of the moon, to search the ravines?" asked the officer, in a low voice. "Command, I beg thee, for wherever I am my heart is chasing after thee to divine thy will and accomplish it." "I know that Thou art watchful," answered Ramses. "Go now and look after everything." "Holy father," said Eunana, turning to the minister, "I commend my most obedient service to thy worthiness." Barely had Eunana gone when at the end of the marching column rose a still greater tumult. They looked for the heir's litter, but it was gone. Then appeared, making his way through the Greek warriors, a youth of strange exterior. He wore a muslin tunic, a richly embroidered apron, and a golden scarf across his shoulder. But he was distinguished above all by an immense wig with a multitude of tresses, and an artificial beard like cats' tails.