lions before they smell us."

I nodded, and answered,

"Hearken, Bes. Well may it be that we kill no lions in this place
where it is hard to shoot. Yet I would not return to be thrown to wild
beasts by yonder evil king. Therefore if we fail in this or in any
other way, do you kill me, if you still live."

He rolled his eyes and grinned.

"Not so, Master. Then we will win through the reeds and lie hid in
their edge till darkness comes, for in them those half-men will never
dare to seek for us. Afterwards we will swim the water and disguise
ourselves as jugglers and try to reach the coast, and so back to
Egypt, having learned much. Never stretch out your hand to Death till
he stretches out his to you, which he will do soon enough, Master."

Again I nodded and said,

"And if a lion should kill me, Bes, what then?"

"Then, Master, I will kill that lion if I can and go report the matter
to the King."

"And if he should wish to throw you to the beasts, Bes, what then?"

"Then, first I will drag him down to the greatest of all beasts, he
who waits to devour evil-doers in the Under-world, be they kings or
slaves," and he stretched out his long arms and made a motion as of