without, to be slain by your Majesty. I bring with me the heads of
a hundred of their captains and the hands of five hundred of their
soldiers, in earnest of the truth of my word. Let them be spread out
before you. I report to your divine Majesty that those barbarians are no
more, that for a generation, at least, I have made the land safe to your
uttermost dominions in the north. Suffer that the heads and the hands be
brought in and counted out before your Majesty, that the smell of them
may rise like incense to your divine nostrils."

"No, no," said Pharaoh, "my officers shall count them without, for I
love not such sights of death, and I take your word for the number. What
payment do you ask for this service, my brother, for with great gifts
would I reward you, who have done so well for me and Egypt?"

Before he answered Abi looked at the beautiful queen, Ahura, who sat at
Pharaoh's side, and at the other royal consorts and women.

"Your Majesty," he said, "I see here many wives and ladies, but royal
children I do not see. Grant--for doubtless they are in their own
chambers--grant, O Pharaoh, that they may be led hither that my eyes may
feed upon their loveliness, and that I may tell of them, each of them,
to their cousins who await me at Memphis."

At these words a flush as of shame spread itself over the lovely face of
Ahura, the royal wife, the Lady of the Two Lands; while the women turned
their heads away whispering to each other bitterly, for the insult hurt
them. Only Pharaoh set his pale face and answered with dignity.

"Prince Abi, to affront those whom the gods have smitten, be they kings
or peasants, is an unworthy deed which the gods will not forget. You