maid, the daughter of my deliverer and host, I led her to my tent, and
left her there with her waiting-women till peace is concluded, and I can
restore her to her father."

"Forgive my doubts!" cried Rameri holding out his hand. "Now I
understand why the king so particularly enquired whether Nefert believed
in your constancy to her."

"And what was your answer?" asked Mena.

"That she thinks of you day and night, and never for an instant doubted
you. My father seemed delighted too, and he said to Chamus: 'He has won
there!"

"He will grant me some great favor," said Mena in explanation, "if, when
she hears I have taken a strange maiden to my tent her confidence in me
is not shaken, Rameses considers it simply impossible, but I know that I
shall win. Why! she must trust me."




CHAPTER XXXIX.

Before the battle,

[The battle about to be described is taken entirely from the epos of
Pentaur.]

prayers were offered and victims sacrificed for each division of the