"Of course," continued Eunana, glancing toward Herhor, "I and my people, as piety enjoins, rendered homage to the golden symbols of the sun, and halted. That augury is of such import that no man of us would make a step forward unless commanded." "I see that thou art a pious Egyptian, though thou hast the features of a Hittite," answered the worthy Herhor; and turning to certain dignitaries standing near, he added,-- "We will not advance farther by the highway, for we might crush the sacred beetles. Pentuer, can we go around the road by that ravine on the right?" "We can," answered the secretary. "That ravine is five miles long, and comes out again almost in front of Pi-Bailos." "An immense loss of time!" interrupted Rameses, in anger. "I would swear that those are not scarabs, but the spirits of my Phœnician usurers," said Tutmosis the exquisite. "Not being able, because of their death, to receive money from me, they will force me now to march through the desert in punishment!" The suite of the prince awaited the decision with fear; so Rameses turned to Herhor,-- "What dost thou think of this, holy father?" "Look at the officers," answered the priest, "and thou wilt understand that we must go by the ravine." Now Patrokles, leader of the Greeks, pushed forward and said to the heir,-- "If the prince permit, my regiment will advance by the highway. My soldiers have no fear of beetles!" "Your soldiers have no fear of royal tombs even," added the minister. "Still it cannot be safe in them since no one has ever returned." The Greek pushed back to the suite confounded. "Confess, holy father," hissed the heir, with the greatest anger, "that such a hindrance would not stop even an ass on his journey." "True, but no ass will ever be pharaoh," retorted the minister, calmly. "In that case thou, O minister, wilt lead the division through the ravine!" exclaimed Rameses. "I am unacquainted with priestly tactics; besides, I must rest. Come with me, cousin," said he to Tutmosis; and he turned toward some naked hills. CHAPTER II Straightway his worthiness Herhor directed his adjutant who carried the mace to take charge of the vanguard in place of Eunana. Then he commanded that the military engines for hurling great stones leave the road, and that the Greek soldiers facilitate passage for those engines in difficult places. All vehicles and litters of staff-officers were to move in the rear. When Herhor issued commands, the adjutant bearing the fan approached Pentuer and asked,-- "Will it be possible to go by this highway again?" "Why not?" answered the young priest. "But since two sacred beetles have barred the way now, we must not go farther; some misfortune might happen." "As it is, a misfortune has happened. Or hast thou not noticed that Prince Rameses is angry at the minister? and our lord is not forgetful."