The heir rested his palms on his knees, and sat as motionless as the statues of his ancestors. "Interpreter," said Sargon, "hast thou repeated badly to the prince my kindly greeting?" Mentezufis, standing near the elevation, turned toward Rameses. "Prince," whispered he, "the Lord Sargon is waiting for a gracious answer." "Then answer him that I do not understand by what right he speaks to me as if he were my equal in dignity." Mentezufis was confused, which still more angered the prince, whose lips began to tremble; and again his eyes flashed. But the Chaldean, Istubar, understanding Egyptian, said quickly to Sargon,-- "Let us fall on our faces." "Why should I fall on my face?" inquired the indignant Sargon. "Fall, unless thou wish to lose the favor of King Assar, and perhaps thy head also." Thus speaking, Istubar lay on the floor at full length, and Sargon next to him. "Why should I lie on my belly before that stripling?" muttered Sargon, indignantly. "Because he is viceroy," answered Istubar. "Have I not been viceroy of my lord?" "But he will be king, and thou wilt not." "What are the ambassadors of the most mighty King Assar discussing?" inquired the prince, now satisfied, of the interpreter. "This: whether they are to show thy worthiness the gifts intended for the pharaoh, or only to give those sent to thee," replied the dextrous interpreter. "I wish to see the gifts intended for his holiness my father," said the prince, "and I permit the ambassadors to rise." Sargon rose, purple from rage or weariness, and sat down on the floor cross-legged. "I knew not," said he, "that I, a relative and an ambassador of the great Assar, should be forced to wipe with my garments dust from the pavement of an Egyptian viceroy." Mentezufis knew Assyrian, and commanded, without asking Rameses, to bring immediately two benches covered with cushions, on which sat at once the panting Sargon and the calm Istubar. When Sargon had puffed himself quiet, he gave command to produce a great glass goblet, a steel sword, and to lead up before the entrance two horses decked with gold housings. When his command was obeyed he rose and, inclining, addressed Rameses,-- "My lord, King Assar sends thee, O prince, two wonderful horses,--may they bear thee only to victory! He sends also a goblet,--may gladness always flow to thy heart from it!--and a sword the like of which thou wilt not find in the armory of the mightiest ruler." He drew from its scabbard a rather long sword, shining like silver, and bent it. The sword bent like a bow, and then sprang out straight again. "A wonderful weapon, indeed," said Rameses. "If thou permit, O viceroy, I will show thee another of its qualities," said Sargon, who, with the chance to praise Assyrian arms, which at that time were excellent, forgot his anger.