In places bodies lay close to bodies; sometimes on one spot three or four were piled one on another. The sand was stained with brownish blood patches; the wounds were ghastly. Both hands were cut from one man, another had his head split to the body, from a third man, the entrails were dropping. Some were howling in convulsions, and from their mouths, filled with sand, came forth curses, or prayers imploring some one to slay them. Rameses passed along hastily, not looking around, though some of the wounded men shouted feebly in his honor. Not far from that place he met the first crowd of prisoners. They fell on their faces before him and begged for compassion. "Proclaim pardon to the conquered and the obedient," said he to his staff. A number of horsemen rushed off in various directions. Soon a trumpet was heard, and after it a piercing voice,-- "By the order of his worthiness the prince in command, prisoners and wounded are not to be slain!" In answer came wild shouts, evidently from prisoners. "At command of the prince," a second voice cried in singing tones in another direction, "prisoners and wounded are not to be slain!" Meanwhile on the southern heights the battle ceased and two of the largest Libyan divisions laid down their arms before the Greek regiments. The valiant Patrokles, in consequence of the heat, as he said himself--of ardent drink, as thought others--barely held himself in the saddle. He rubbed his tearful eyes, and turned to the prisoners. "Mangy dogs!" cried he, "who raise sinful hands on the army of his holiness (may the worms devour you)! Ye will perish like lice under the nail of a pious Egyptian, if ye do not tell this minute where your leader is,--may leprosy eat off his nose and drink his blear eyes out!" At that moment the prince appeared. The general greeted him with respect, but did not stop his investigation. "I will have belts cut from your bodies! I will impale you on stakes, if I do not learn this minute where that poisonous reptile is, that son of a wild boar." "Ei! where our leader is?" cried one of the Libyans, pointing to a little crowd on horseback which was advancing slowly in the depth of the desert. "What is that?" inquired the prince. "The wretch Musawasa is fleeing!" said Patrokles, and he almost fell to the ground. The blood rushed to Rameses' head. Then Musawasa was here and escaped? "Hei! whoso has the best horse, follow me!" "Well," said Patrokles, laughing, "that sheep-stealer himself will bleat now!" Pentuer stopped the way to the prince. "It is not for thee to hunt fugitives, worthiness." "What?" cried the heir. "During this whole battle I did not raise a hand on any man, and now I am to give up the Libyan leader? What would be said by the warriors whom I have sent out under spears and axes?" "The army cannot remain without a leader."