The face of the King grew red with rage.

"Seven of my people and one black dwarf!" he exclaimed. "Yet the
lioness kills my cousin and the dwarf kills the lioness. Such is the
tale that will go to Egypt concerning the hunters of the King of the
world. Seize those men, Guards, and let them be fed to the wild beasts
in the palace dens."

At once the unfortunates were seized and led away. Then the King
called Bes to him, and taking the gold chain he wore about his neck,
threw it over his head, thereby, though I knew nothing of it at the
time, conferring upon him some noble rank. Next he called to me and
said,

"It would seem that you are skilled in the use of the bow and in the
hunting of lions, Egyptian. Therefore I will honour you, for this
afternoon your chariot shall drive with my chariot, and we will hunt
side by side. Moreover, I will lay you a wager as to which of us will
kill the most lions, for know, Shabaka, that I also am skilled in the
use of the bow, more skilled than any among the millions of my
subjects."

"Then, O King, it is of little use for me to match myself against you,
seeing that I have met men who can shoot better than I do, or, since
in the East all must speak nothing but the truth, not being liars as
the dead prince said we Egyptians are, one man."

"Who was that man, Shabaka?"

"The Prince Peroa, O King."