King. Be just, O Lord Shabaka."

"Say no more. I will try to be just," I answered. "But what is justice
in the East? I only know of it in Egypt."

Now we reached one of the doors of the palace and I was taken to a
chamber where slaves who were waiting, washed and anointed me with
scents, after which they clad me in a beautiful robe of silk, setting
the girdle of rose-hued pearls about me.

When they had finished, preceded by Houman I was led to a great
pillared hall closed in with silk hangings, where many feasted.
Through them I went to a dais at the head of the hall where between
half-drawn curtains surrounded by cup-bearers and other officers, the
King sat in all his glory upon a cushioned golden throne. He had a
glittering wine-cup in his hand and at a glance I saw that he was
drunk, as it is the fashion for these Easterns to be at their great
feasts, for he looked happy and human which he did not do when he was
sober. Or perchance, as sometimes I thought afterwards, he only
pretended to be drunk. Also I saw something else, namely, Bes,
wondrously attired with the gold chain about his neck and wearing a
red headdress. He was seated on the carpet before the throne, and
saying things that made the King laugh and even caused the grave
officers behind to smile.

I came to the dais and at a little sign from Bes who yet did not seem
to see me, such a sign as he often made when he caught sight of game
before I did, I prostrated myself. The King looked at me, then asked,

"Who is this?" adding, "Oh, I remember, the Egyptian whose arrows do